Amazon reached a deal with the Broccoli family, the James Bond franchise’s longstanding producers, to form a new joint venture.

Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have signed creative control over the James Bond franchise to Amazon MGM Studios.

After decades of fiercely protecting her family business, the longtime Bond producer just sold 007 to Amazon. Nobody can figure out why.

After 61 years of iron-fisted creative control over cinema's most iconic spy franchise, the Broccoli family is stepping back from James Bond, handing the creative reins to Amazon MGM Studios while maintaining co-ownership through a newly formed joint venture.

Amazon MGM Studios will take creative control of the James Bond franchise following a landmark joint venture agreement with longtime producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, the parties announced Thursday.

Amazon MGM Studios, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli have formed a new joint venture to house the James Bond IP rights, under which Wilson and Broccoli will cede creative control of the franchise to Amazon.

News that Amazon MGM took creative control of James Bond from Matthew Wilson and Barbara Broccoli has been met with undue outrage.

As part of the deal, Amazon's MGM Studios, Wilson and Broccoli formed a new joint venture to house the Bond intellectual property rights, and they will remain co-owners of the franchise. "We are grateful to the late Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman ...

Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have signed creative control over the James Bond franchise to Amazon MGM Studios.

Seeing the James Bond franchise owned by any major corporation is a downer. It felt special to see something as big as 007 still having this small, independent feel because it was family-owned. However,

New York native Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli, who died in 1996, was an original producer of the Bond films alongside Canadian producer Harry Saltzman, who died in 1994. The first movie in the spy thriller series was “ Dr. No ” in 1962, starring Sean Connery.

The studio will take the reins for the 60 year-old movie property, while Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli will remain co-owners as they move to the sidelines as part of a joint venture transaction.