The James Bond films aren’t just a legendary franchise — the brand may one day stream to a new generation of viewers. That’s according to Barbara Broccoli, daughter of the late Albert R. Broccoli, the longtime producer of the franchise.
MGM, which owns the James Bond catalog, has reportedly held early talks with two streamers, Apple and Netflix, to gauge their interest in an acquisition, CNBC first reported.
Neither company has commented on a possible buy.
To stand out from rivals, streamers need premium content, such as the Bond films.
MGM, one of Hollywood’s oldest studios, is a worthy get; it boasts a huge content library worth an estimated $10 billion. MGM owns the catalogs for United Artists and Orion Pictures, as well as Annapurna Pictures and George Clooney’s Smokehouse Pictures.
In addition to its significant collection — MGM is the studio behind “Gone With The Wind” and “2001” — the studio also owns movies from “Rocky” to “Mad Max.” And it owns premium cable network Epix.
Speaking of 007, Broccoli told Variety: “We like to think that they’re going to be seen primarily on the big screen. But having said that, we have to look to the future. Our fans are the ones who dictate how they want to consume their entertainment.”
The Bond collection has enormous value. “Skyfall” made $1.1 billion at the box office, while “Spectre” made $880 million worldwide.
The latest Bond movie, “No Time to Die,” opens in the UK on April 3 and in the U.S. on April 10.