James Bond writer has concerns Amazon’s MGM deal could dilute the franchise

When Amazon made their acquisition of MGM official, one of many most important considerations was that it will in some way intrude with the theatrical launch of the upcoming James Bond movie, NO TIME TO DIE. Some trade insiders questioned if the deal would ship the movie on to streaming however, even because the deal closed, the narrative constantly shifted again to the truth that the movie will see a theatrical launch on October 8, 2021. Whereas this element has been ironed out, John Logan, the Oscar-nominated screenwriter whose credit embody engaged on the James Bond movies Skyfall and Spectre, appears nervous about the way forward for the franchise within the wake of the Amazon acquisition of MGM.

Logan wrote an opinion piece for “The New York Times” concerning the problem and he admitted when he heard the information concerning the deal “a chill went via me.” Logan went on to say that, not like different franchises, the James Bond movies have been rigorously watched over and that it is a household enterprise, which makes it distinctive when in comparison with the movies cranked out by Marvel or DC.

“Having labored as a author on Skyfall and Spectre, I do know that Bond is not simply one other franchise, not a Marvel or a DC; it’s a household enterprise that has been rigorously nurtured and shepherded via the altering instances by the Broccoli/Wilson household.”

Despite the fact that Broccoli and Wilson personal 50% of the Bond franchise and are assured of ongoing creative management, Logan thinks that this could possibly be disrupted sooner or later below the brand new deal. Logan goes on to say “What occurs if a bruising company like Amazon begins to demand a voice within the course of? What occurs to the comradeship and high quality management if there’s an Amazonian overlord with analytics parsing each resolution? What occurs when a spotlight group reviews they do not like Bond ingesting martinis? Or killing fairly so many individuals? And that English accent’s a bit alienating, so might we now have extra Individuals within the story for marketability?” Logan appears to consider that even when Amazon says they will not intrude within the inventive course of the Bond franchise, they could attempt to make gradual modifications earlier than making grand sweeps to shift issues to their liking.

Logan additionally has considerations {that a} company like Amazon might run the chance of diluting the general high quality of the franchise by getting concerned artistically. Logan says “All the pieces will get watered right down to essentially the most anodyne and simply consumable model of itself. The film turns into an inoffensive shadow of a factor, not the factor itself. There are not any extra tough edges or flights of cinematic insanity.”

For his or her half, Amazon hasn’t made any bulletins about massive modifications coming for the Bond franchise and with this opinion piece on the market, I doubt they may, if ever, at the moment. I want to consider that Amazon is of the thoughts of “if it ain’t broke, do not repair it” and so they’ll let the world of Bond proceed below the steerage of Broccoli and the Wilson household. At one level Logan says “Please let 007 drink his martinis in peace. Do not shake him, do not stir him.” Let’s hope Amazon hears these phrases.

Do YOU assume the Bond franchise might endure artistically after the Amazon acquisition of MGM?