James Bond Illo_Credit AdobeStock_94590048

Source: AdobeStock

James Bond

A financial report from Eon Productions says the company sold its interest in the Bond franchise to Amazon MGM Studios earlier this year for a modest $20m. 

Reports at the time of the deal suggested that Amazon MGM had paid as much as $1bn for the interest, though some of the value may have been in the form of considerations such as stock options or bonuses that have not been disclosed. 

Amazon MGM took over creative control of the franchise from longtime steward Eon in February and formed a new joint venture to house the Bond intellectual property rights with Eon’s Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, who remain co-owners of the franchise. 

In Eon’s annual report and financial statements for the year ended Dec 31, 2024, filed with Companies House in the UK on Wednesday (October 22), the deal is mentioned in a note on “post balance sheet events.” 

The note reads: “On 20 February 2025, the company entered into an agreement for the sale of its interest in the Bond franchise, all associated assets as well as its subsidiary companies, B24 Limited and B25 Limited. The total consideration for the sale amounted to $20 million (USD).” 

The report’s section reviewing Eon’s business also refers to the arrangement. “Looking ahead, a significant strategic shift is anticipated following the post-year-end sale of the Group’s interest in the Bond franchise, subsidiaries and related assets,” the section says. “This divestment marks a significant change in the Group’s direction. The core focus going forward will be the continued investment in smaller-scale films and independent productions.” 

Since Amazon MGM gained creative control of the franchise, Amy Pascal and David Heyman have been named as producers of the next Bond film. Denis Villeneuve is set to direct, from a script by Steven Knight. 

Amazon MGM declined to comment on the Eon filing.