From Cupertino with love: Apple could acquire James Bond franchise rights

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James Bond
Both Apple and Amazon are reportedly among the bidders.
Photo: Eon Pictures

Apple is in the running to secure movie (and possibly TV) distribution rights for the James Bond franchise, a new report claims.

While Warner Bros., Sony, Universal and Fox are the more likely candidates, Apple and fellow tech giant Amazon have also reportedly thrown their names into the hat. Jony Ive as 007, anyone?

Cue Only Live Twice

According to The Hollywood Reporter, current rights-holder MGM has been “looking for a deal for more than two years,” either to license or sell the franchise, which is worth between $2 billion and $5 billion. The franchise is attracting loads of excitement because it is viewed as one of the last independently owned “untapped brands” like Star Wars, which could be a major acquisition in the “content space.”

Former Sony executives Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht are reportedly spearheading Apple’s efforts. Cupertino is potentially interested in “cutting a larger rights deal or acquiring full ownership to exploit Bond’s largely unmined TV potential.” A recent report suggested Apple plans to spend $1 billion developing original programming over the next year.

While it seems unlikely that Apple will snap up the Bond franchise, it certainly has the resources to do so. And with Apple looking to make a big splash in the world of original content, what could be bigger than that? The prospect of a James Bond TV series set in the 1950s and ’60s would certainly have us subscribing to Apple Music in a hurry.

What do you think of this (somewhat unlikely) rumor? Leave your comments below.

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