How does Amazon's purchase affect a new Bond Continuation Novel?
BondClothing
Posts: 538MI6 Agent
The title is the question. We know IFP needs Danjaqs approval to start any new literary project. With Amazons recent expenditure, how does this affect any new book? Will Amazon demand a cut of the pie? Will they not approve anything so IFP will be forced to sell? And why hasn't IFP announced any new Bond with it being three years since WAMTK?
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Comments
I have previously suggested on here that the lack of a hero Bond novel in the last few years may be related to the screen hiatus, because, as you say, Danjaq/MGM have to license the character to them. And IFP have been doing other original projects in the meantime so it's not as if they've stopped. Quite why they might stop a new book I'm not sure: maybe they wanted Bond to rest in the public eye, maybe it was part of the deal-making, who knows. Yes, we had the coronation novella, but that was a one-off for a special occasion and charity. Didn't the comics slow down as well?
It's all supposition though, it may well just be a coincidence. It's quite possible that Amazon will take on a completely new stance with licencees and the brand, though.
I had no idea IFP had to licence the James Bond book character for literary purposes…🤔
I can’t find this fact anywhere…a quick internet search came up with nothing…well, other than it possibly wasn’t true…🤷🏻♂️
I discovered this recently as well. I've heard members of this forum and another say that Danjaq bought trademarks in the 90s and 2000s. I trust Emtiem on this.
Try looking in a book rather than the internet 😉
Maybe it's not the case in all territories but I'd be surprised if they hadn't got it sewn up. Whether it’s about the character or using the name in big letters on the cover I don’t know. BondClothing is right to say that it seemed to change: the Gardners still have Gildrose as the owners of literary James Bond.
I’d love to look into a book…but all mine are packed away…and I’ve not been into a bookstore today…but thanks.
The latest 'Moneypenny' email newsletter from IFP announcing the new 'James Bond and the Secret Service Academy' books began with:
"Some of you may have noted a certain Double O’s absence from HQ as of late. Whilst you’d be forgiven for assuming that he was simply out on an extended mission, I’m afraid the truth is rather more... complicated. It’s too much for me to go into here, but we have a new recruit – Agent M.W. Craven – whose first assignment has been to transcribe all of the (frankly astounding) details, and our colleagues over at Ian Fleming Publications have just announced the result: James Bond and the Secret Agent Academy."
I do kind of wonder if the 'complicated' truth might refer to some sort of issue which has impeded IFP from making new books starring Bond for a while.
I guess if the transfer of rights from Danjaq to Amazon were taking place, they might not have been licensing new 007 projects which would possibly be released under the next owner's tenure, perhaps even a condition of the negotiations?
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A lot of fans are thinking that this is related to SilverFin and it’s 20th Anniversary. I’d also like to mention that the 20th anniversary of SilverFin was in March actually. It could also be related to either Hurricane Room or James Bond and the Secret Academy. Fingers crossed that it’s a new adult Bond novel.
It does look like it’s SilverFin…
As it's the 20th anniversary year of SilverFin I imagine it's got something to do with it. I of course would prefer it to be an announcement on a new adult Bond continuation novel but the seeming current embargo on the literary Bond character makes that very unlikely indeed. You could say there's definitely something in the water at IFP too, given their recent "Bondless" output.
Here's the announcement:
I think it’s very underwhelming…would have been better as a hardback…
Here's me still patiently waiting for the 30th anniversary edition of John Gardner's Never Send Flowers with an introduction by me (probably). Ah, well, maybe they're saving it for the 40th anniversary in 2033 instead? It seems that not all Bond continuation novels are created equal. 🙂