Podcast Summary: "James Bond Is Missing. He's Trapped in a Fight With Amazon."
Podcast Information:
- Title: The Journal
- Host/Author: The Wall Street Journal & Gimlet
- Description: The most important stories about money, business, and power. Hosted by Kate Linebaugh and Ryan Knutson, with Jessica Mendoza. The Journal is a co-production of Spotify and The Wall Street Journal.
- Episode: James Bond Is Missing. He's Trapped in a Fight With Amazon.
- Release Date: December 20, 2024
1. Introduction to the Conflict
The episode delves into the escalating conflict between the iconic James Bond franchise and Amazon, stemming from Amazon's acquisition of MGM. Hosted by Ryan Knutson, with insights from WSJ reporter Eric Schwartzel, the discussion unpacks how Amazon's entry into the Bond universe has stalled the production of new films.
- Ryan Knutson (00:31): Introduces James Bond as one of the most enduring characters in Hollywood.
- Eric Schwartzel (01:15): Highlights the acquisition of distribution rights by Amazon three years prior and its unfulfilled ambitions: “Since the acquisition, Amazon hasn't made a single Bond film and there doesn't even appear to be one in the works.”
2. Historical Context of the James Bond Franchise
Eric provides a comprehensive overview of the Bond franchise's history, emphasizing its longevity and cultural impact since its inception by Ian Fleming and subsequent adaptation by producer Albert "Cubby" Broccoli.
- Eric Schwartzel (03:34): Traces Bond's origins to Ian Fleming's novels and the first film, Dr. No (1962), starring Sean Connery.
- Ryan Knutson (04:12): Notes that under Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson, the franchise thrived with films like GoldenEye introducing actors like Pierce Brosnan.
3. Amazon's Acquisition of MGM and Its Implications
The episode examines Amazon's strategic move to acquire MGM for $6.5 billion in 2022, securing rights to beloved IPs, including James Bond. Eric discusses Amazon's initial enthusiasm and speculative plans for the Bond universe.
- Eric Schwartzel (07:56): Explains Amazon's excitement: “Before the deal closed, Amazon executives got together and started brainstorming just what they might be able to do with Bond in their ecosystem.”
- Ryan Knutson (08:34): Points out that despite acquiring distribution rights, creative control remained with the Broccoli family, leading to friction.
4. The Core of the Feud: Broccoli Family vs. Amazon
The heart of the podcast explores the deepening rift between Barbara Broccoli, the current steward of Bond, and Amazon. The discord arises from differing visions for the franchise and Amazon's approach to content creation.
- Eric Schwartzel (09:02): Describes the relationship as "incredibly fraught" and reveals Barbara Broccoli's discontent: “Barbara Broccoli has told many friends that she thinks the people at Amazon are idiots.”
- Ryan Knutson (11:31): Attributes the tension to contrasting approaches: "the old Hollywood of Bond and MGM and the new Hollywood of Amazon."
Key Points of Contention:
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Creative Vision: Barbara Broccoli emphasizes the importance of maintaining Bond's legacy and scarcity, while Amazon seeks to expand the IP through spinoffs and potentially diversifying the character's portrayal.
- Eric Schwartzel (12:07): Recounts Barbara's narrative on Amazon's treatment of Bond: “Bond... is referred to by this sterile, transactional term of content.”
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Decision-Making Styles: Broccoli relies on gut instincts for casting and storytelling, contrasting with Amazon's data-driven approach.
- Ryan Knutson (14:31): Highlights Amazon's reliance on data versus Broccoli's intuitive choices: “the company loves making decisions based on data.”
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Access and Control: Amazon's ambition to utilize Bond as a flagship IP clashes with Broccoli's protective management of the franchise.
- Eric Schwartzel (13:12): Mentions the family's view on Amazon's spinoff ideas undermining Bond's exclusive theatrical presence.
5. Current Standstill and Future Prospects
The impasse has resulted in a three-year hiatus without a new Bond film, marking the longest gap in the franchise's history. The podcast speculates on potential outcomes and the broader implications for both parties.
- Eric Schwartzel (15:54): Raises concerns about Bond's future: “Some people also think... scarcity can be a good thing... but the current situation has no progress in any direction.”
- Ryan Knutson (17:15): Asks who stands to lose the most, highlighting that while Amazon might weather the delay, the Broccoli family's legacy is at stake.
- Eric Schwartzel (17:34): Notes the contrasting stakes: “The Broccolis... have been charged with taking care of [Bond].”
6. Potential Resolutions and Industry Impact
Eric suggests that while James Bond as a character may remain unaffected, the franchise's stagnation could tarnish Amazon's reputation in Hollywood and erode the Broccoli family's influence if not resolved.
- Eric Schwartzel (19:09): Concludes that Amazon's failure to align with the Broccoli family's vision presents a "real black eye" for the company, especially as it strives to reinvent itself as a modern studio.
7. Conclusion
The episode encapsulates a pivotal moment in the James Bond saga, illustrating the clash between traditional Hollywood stewardship and modern digital platform ambitions. As negotiations stall, the future of Bond hangs in the balance, serving as a case study on the complexities of managing legacy franchises in evolving media landscapes.
Notable Quotes:
- Eric Schwartzel (00:22): “I actually prefer stirred.”
- Eric Schwartzel (03:57): “Sean Connery is cast as the first double oh seven.”
- Eric Schwartzel (09:33): “Barbara Broccoli has told many friends that she thinks the people at Amazon are idiots.”
- Barbra Broccoli (15:14): “No script, no story, no Bond.”
- Eric Schwartzel (16:23): “The priority has to be making sure Bond lives forever.”
Closing Remarks: The episode concludes with hosts reflecting on the tumultuous year, expressing gratitude to listeners, and hinting at future episodes in 2025. While the discussion around James Bond's predicament takes center stage, the podcast wraps up with festive banter, aligning with the episode's December release.
Relevant Timestamp Highlights:
- 00:05 - 00:31: Introduction and playful banter about James Bond's preferences.
- 03:34 - 05:19: History and evolution of the Bond franchise.
- 07:04 - 09:33: Amazon's acquisition of MGM and initial excitement.
- 10:16 - 17:53: Detailed exploration of the feud between the Broccoli family and Amazon.
- 19:09 - 19:40: Hosts' reflections and farewell to the year's episodes.
This episode offers a deep dive into the intersection of legacy entertainment properties and modern digital conglomerates, shedding light on the challenges of preserving iconic franchises amidst shifting industry dynamics.