After my initial shock I am now in "wait and see mode". One thing I have noticed about Amazon produced content is they do not appear to be held down by any kinder/gentler philosophy (I hate the terms "woke" or to a less extent "politically correct"). Many Amazon shows (like The Boys or even the Jack Ryan and Reacher series) are quite edgy and not afraid to push the limits. So, whatever they do with Bond could be quite interesting to say the least. As far as the dreaded "Americanization" I am guessing that will not happen as Amazon is international and they understand that Bond is a worldwide phenom. Truth be told, so many iconic American characters are played by British, Australian, etc actors these days that I doubt they would cast an American actor as Bond (although it would be cruelly ironic if they did).
I've seen a lot of members point to Reacher as an example of a quality Amazon production but, personally, I disagree.
Admittedly I've not read the books so I don't have any strong feelings towards the character as others may but whilst I enjoyed the first series, the rest seemed to dip significantly in terms of writing compared to the standards they'd set initially. Plot/story seemed obvious and uninspired. Now Bond films have had these downfalls too but I suppose I have higher aspirations for Bond and am more invested in the character than that of Reacher. I'm not convinced it's a good yardstick to compare to or sufficiently high a standard to aim for.
Curious to know what people rate about Reacher, whether as fans of the books or not.
As for the spin-offs from Disney. in the case of Star Wars these are the TV equivalent of sweets and cakes and chocolate - sugary and initially tasty but ultimately lacking in nutrition and substational content (this is not health advice 😂). I have watched some of these shows and whilst I initially enjoyed them, I have no desire to revisit them and the subsequent series, whether of new characters or continuations of other recent TV spin-offs, are ultimately found wanting. A lot of the Marvel ones seem awful - She-Hulk?!
I thought it was quite a dull show too, I didn't get through the first series- it didn't seem to be going anywhere, just going backwards and forwards.
And although I watched it, Jack Ryan was a throughly bland affair despite well-cast leads. They are capable of decent stuff but I'm not sure they're the streamer with the highest hit rate.
Yeah, I mean when I was 17-18 I'd experienced around a decade of Bond at the cinema, 7 films in all, starting with The Spy Who Loved Me, encompassing Never Say Never Again and with another, LTK, due the next year. This 18 year old, however, would have know just 2 Bonds at the cinema, Spectre and No Time To Die, and the first is regarded by many as a victory lap - it's not the kind of film to bring in new blood and the last one demands you've seen the previous Craig films.
But I'd become a fan via the Connery movies on TV, starting from 1975 onwards. How does that factor in? Well, since GoldenEye I'd argue none of the Bonds fill that Christmas Day/Easter Monday slot for family viewing, either because they're just not good enough or because they're too violent, so that is an avenue lost to them also. In contrast to the Moore films, fandom exists because of the affection for the old movies and not purely for what has been generated in the present, although you could argue that's unavoidable.
Both THE AGENCY and THE DAY OF THE JACKAL have been two very good recent examples of how to do realistic, effective, and engrossing streaming shows set in a 'Bond like' world. JACK RYAN and REACHER are decent enough for what they are (some seasons are better than others) but Bond calls for excellence, not 'decent enough'. I think Amazon gets this.
Boyle talked about a Russian PoW camp set, allegedly built in Canada, and a massive Saturn V sized rocket that was built on the 007 stage. I haven't heard details about any others. Would love to know if people have more info, and credible sources...
Lee Child was on the sofa on BBC Breakfast this morning and was more than happy to chat about the Bond situation (I guess as he's involved with Amazon too) and seemed quite enthusiastic about the idea of 007 needing a reinvention. He even suggested a nationwide campaign to find the new Bond! 😁 Seems like a nice man, very laid back.
I was just thinking, in terms of talking heads, usually when there's Bond news the media here gets Charlie Higson on: he's a well-known face and Bond expert of course and always happy to chat. But this time he's been nowhere to be seen, and no comment on it on his twitter as far as I can see. Is he keeping quiet on this one because there might be some Amazon cash coming his way in the future?
Interestingly Ian Fleming Publications commented on the decision by EON and alluded to the fact that they may have some involvement. Could Amazon be turning to the continuation novels for some plot points?
To be honest I'm not sure there's much which is unique or demanding to be adapted in any of the continuation novels: they're fun but not really iconic. May as well just write new scripts. A couple of the titles are absolute crackers though, I guess those could be optioned.
Young Bond on the other hand, is a bit more of a unique prospect and I feel like they'd have to option those from IFP/Higson/Cole if they wanted them. And they do seem ideal fodder: one novel per series of a TV show, close enough to Bond yet distinct enough not to step on the feet of the films. Feels very likely to me.
Call me conspiratorial but I am beginning to think we've all been duped by the "One billion dollars!" Amazon, EON James Bond IP vehicle.
This interview with the Austrian businessman who filed the trademark disputes is clearly a Bond fan and he isn't any old businessman this guy is running a $5bn real estate development in Dubai.
Barbara and Michael are obviously American, but they are Anglophiles as well. They understood what kind of character Bond is.
I'm nervous now that Amazon has full control over Bond. Jennifer Salke was quoted as saying that she doesn't see Bond as a hero and she sees Bond as "content." Apparently someone else will be taking over as creative director next year, so this new person might have an appreciation for Bond.
Have you ever heard of the Emancipation Proclamation?"
I understand EON has an archive of early or scrapped script (such as the one for the Danny Boyle or the scripts for Dalton's third and fourth Bond) and other ideas for Bond movies. I'm not suggestig Amazon will film the Boyle/Hodges script, but there are probably ideas to mine. But does Amazon have the rights for the EON scripts and ideas archive now?
It's reported today that Bezos has decided to change significantly the editorial policy of the Washington Post. It's not clear yet whether he's doing this to curry favour with the new U.S. administration, but a lot of journalists are leaving the paper...
As for Bond...?
"I want full newspaper coverage, I want magazine stories, I want books, I want films, I want TV, I want radio, I want us on the air 24 hours a day! This is our moment! And a billion people around this planet will watch it, hear it, and read about it from Amazon!"
Critics and material I don't need. I haven't changed my act in 53 years.
I don't think this lawsuit holds water. The trademark has been used plenty over the last few years. I don't think they need to make a film for it to count that they used the trademark.
A quick glance at the official James Bond shop shows/has shown dozens of items using the Bond name and Bond catchphrases from towels to luggage tags and socks to pencils. I wouldn't have thought that someone saying "You've never made a James Bond potato peeler and therefore you've abandoned the name" works if they have made James Bond martini shakers and shot glasses. I could well be wrong, but there are so many licenced Bond products in the market that finding a few examples that aren't may not be enough to sway a judge.
Thank you for this. Since the recent Amazon news, the doom and gloom here has become too much for me. It’s as if there is literally nothing that Amazon might do that will satisfy many/most AJB members. In my experience if you always expect failure and disappointment you are setting yourself up to receive exactly that.
It's just the stage of grief some people are at, @Cheverian. We've had the shock and denial phases, now we're at anger and depression. Acceptance hasn't arrived yet.
Comments
After my initial shock I am now in "wait and see mode". One thing I have noticed about Amazon produced content is they do not appear to be held down by any kinder/gentler philosophy (I hate the terms "woke" or to a less extent "politically correct"). Many Amazon shows (like The Boys or even the Jack Ryan and Reacher series) are quite edgy and not afraid to push the limits. So, whatever they do with Bond could be quite interesting to say the least. As far as the dreaded "Americanization" I am guessing that will not happen as Amazon is international and they understand that Bond is a worldwide phenom. Truth be told, so many iconic American characters are played by British, Australian, etc actors these days that I doubt they would cast an American actor as Bond (although it would be cruelly ironic if they did).
I've seen a lot of members point to Reacher as an example of a quality Amazon production but, personally, I disagree.
Admittedly I've not read the books so I don't have any strong feelings towards the character as others may but whilst I enjoyed the first series, the rest seemed to dip significantly in terms of writing compared to the standards they'd set initially. Plot/story seemed obvious and uninspired. Now Bond films have had these downfalls too but I suppose I have higher aspirations for Bond and am more invested in the character than that of Reacher. I'm not convinced it's a good yardstick to compare to or sufficiently high a standard to aim for.
Curious to know what people rate about Reacher, whether as fans of the books or not.
As for the spin-offs from Disney. in the case of Star Wars these are the TV equivalent of sweets and cakes and chocolate - sugary and initially tasty but ultimately lacking in nutrition and substational content (this is not health advice 😂). I have watched some of these shows and whilst I initially enjoyed them, I have no desire to revisit them and the subsequent series, whether of new characters or continuations of other recent TV spin-offs, are ultimately found wanting. A lot of the Marvel ones seem awful - She-Hulk?!
Also @Loeffelholz , fantastic product placement work
I thought it was quite a dull show too, I didn't get through the first series- it didn't seem to be going anywhere, just going backwards and forwards.
And although I watched it, Jack Ryan was a throughly bland affair despite well-cast leads. They are capable of decent stuff but I'm not sure they're the streamer with the highest hit rate.
Yeah, I mean when I was 17-18 I'd experienced around a decade of Bond at the cinema, 7 films in all, starting with The Spy Who Loved Me, encompassing Never Say Never Again and with another, LTK, due the next year. This 18 year old, however, would have know just 2 Bonds at the cinema, Spectre and No Time To Die, and the first is regarded by many as a victory lap - it's not the kind of film to bring in new blood and the last one demands you've seen the previous Craig films.
But I'd become a fan via the Connery movies on TV, starting from 1975 onwards. How does that factor in? Well, since GoldenEye I'd argue none of the Bonds fill that Christmas Day/Easter Monday slot for family viewing, either because they're just not good enough or because they're too violent, so that is an avenue lost to them also. In contrast to the Moore films, fandom exists because of the affection for the old movies and not purely for what has been generated in the present, although you could argue that's unavoidable.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Both THE AGENCY and THE DAY OF THE JACKAL have been two very good recent examples of how to do realistic, effective, and engrossing streaming shows set in a 'Bond like' world. JACK RYAN and REACHER are decent enough for what they are (some seasons are better than others) but Bond calls for excellence, not 'decent enough'. I think Amazon gets this.
Fake News!
I‘ll not design any new clothing for Bond26!
The Green Trainers, however will return!
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Debbie McWilliams has retired from casting in Bond films.
https://www.screendaily.com/news/james-bond-casting-director-debbie-mcwilliams-retires-from-casting-exclusive/5202335.article
" I don't listen to hip hop!"
Reacher is also produced by an outside production company in Skydance, so there's that.
Sad to see her go, I always love seeing members of the Bond family who work on so many of the films.
"Choosing the actor to fill the role is a huge task and not one I would hand over to subscribers of X.”
AJB's interview with Debbie McWilliams from 2019:
Forgive my ignorance, but do Amazon sign on musicians like Sony does?
Worrying for those who feel Bond needs to be a British production from start to finish.
There’s never been a Bond film without significant contributions from Americans. Either writers, directors or producers.
Very interesting discussion on Bond, Broccoli and Amazon in this week's The Rest is Entertainment with Marina Hyde and Richard Osman. In particular:
Interesting stuff https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17c3jiah-TI
Boyle talked about a Russian PoW camp set, allegedly built in Canada, and a massive Saturn V sized rocket that was built on the 007 stage. I haven't heard details about any others. Would love to know if people have more info, and credible sources...
Yes, interesting stuff.
Lee Child was on the sofa on BBC Breakfast this morning and was more than happy to chat about the Bond situation (I guess as he's involved with Amazon too) and seemed quite enthusiastic about the idea of 007 needing a reinvention. He even suggested a nationwide campaign to find the new Bond! 😁 Seems like a nice man, very laid back.
I was just thinking, in terms of talking heads, usually when there's Bond news the media here gets Charlie Higson on: he's a well-known face and Bond expert of course and always happy to chat. But this time he's been nowhere to be seen, and no comment on it on his twitter as far as I can see. Is he keeping quiet on this one because there might be some Amazon cash coming his way in the future?
Interestingly Ian Fleming Publications commented on the decision by EON and alluded to the fact that they may have some involvement. Could Amazon be turning to the continuation novels for some plot points?
Do you think? I'm not sure there's much alluding in there, do you mean the 'await the dossier' bit?
To be honest I'm not sure there's much which is unique or demanding to be adapted in any of the continuation novels: they're fun but not really iconic. May as well just write new scripts. A couple of the titles are absolute crackers though, I guess those could be optioned.
Young Bond on the other hand, is a bit more of a unique prospect and I feel like they'd have to option those from IFP/Higson/Cole if they wanted them. And they do seem ideal fodder: one novel per series of a TV show, close enough to Bond yet distinct enough not to step on the feet of the films. Feels very likely to me.
Call me conspiratorial but I am beginning to think we've all been duped by the "One billion dollars!" Amazon, EON James Bond IP vehicle.
This interview with the Austrian businessman who filed the trademark disputes is clearly a Bond fan and he isn't any old businessman this guy is running a $5bn real estate development in Dubai.
I think that the Amazon, EON James Bond IP vehicle could very well be a legal tool to stop the trademark challenge and nothing else.
Barbara and Michael are obviously American, but they are Anglophiles as well. They understood what kind of character Bond is.
I'm nervous now that Amazon has full control over Bond. Jennifer Salke was quoted as saying that she doesn't see Bond as a hero and she sees Bond as "content." Apparently someone else will be taking over as creative director next year, so this new person might have an appreciation for Bond.
" I don't listen to hip hop!"
I understand EON has an archive of early or scrapped script (such as the one for the Danny Boyle or the scripts for Dalton's third and fourth Bond) and other ideas for Bond movies. I'm not suggestig Amazon will film the Boyle/Hodges script, but there are probably ideas to mine. But does Amazon have the rights for the EON scripts and ideas archive now?
It's reported today that Bezos has decided to change significantly the editorial policy of the Washington Post. It's not clear yet whether he's doing this to curry favour with the new U.S. administration, but a lot of journalists are leaving the paper...
As for Bond...?
"I want full newspaper coverage, I want magazine stories, I want books, I want films, I want TV, I want radio, I want us on the air 24 hours a day! This is our moment! And a billion people around this planet will watch it, hear it, and read about it from Amazon!"
I don't think this lawsuit holds water. The trademark has been used plenty over the last few years. I don't think they need to make a film for it to count that they used the trademark.
A quick glance at the official James Bond shop shows/has shown dozens of items using the Bond name and Bond catchphrases from towels to luggage tags and socks to pencils. I wouldn't have thought that someone saying "You've never made a James Bond potato peeler and therefore you've abandoned the name" works if they have made James Bond martini shakers and shot glasses. I could well be wrong, but there are so many licenced Bond products in the market that finding a few examples that aren't may not be enough to sway a judge.
I never thought I'd see the day when a Bond villain was in charge of making Bond movies. Welcome to 2025, when the world is ruled by oligarchs.
Thank you for this. Since the recent Amazon news, the doom and gloom here has become too much for me. It’s as if there is literally nothing that Amazon might do that will satisfy many/most AJB members. In my experience if you always expect failure and disappointment you are setting yourself up to receive exactly that.
It's just the stage of grief some people are at, @Cheverian. We've had the shock and denial phases, now we're at anger and depression. Acceptance hasn't arrived yet.
Now this I can understand!