James Bond: claimed by the States.

“Everything or nothing.” The ultimatum given by Albert Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, the American/Canadian duo, to Ian Fleming when they bought the rights to James Bond in 1961. Then was born EON Productions, named after the ultimatum, to be based in the UK and produce the iconic series of British films.

EON have retained creative control over James Bond from Dr. No (1962) to No Time To Die (2021), and been one of the UK’s major production companies, providing jobs and boosting our creative industries.

But in 2025, American business giant, Amazon, has taken over. Continuing in their venture to monopolise the creative industry, after buying Bond’s distribution company MGM in 2021, they’ve bought the intellectual property rights from EON, and now have full creative control over the British institution.

It’s a shame but it’s no surprise. The majority of our media properties are owned in some shape or form by American companies. From Harry Potter, which is owned by Warner Bros, and now distributed by HBO. To Doctor Who and Wallace and Gromit, which are distributed by Disney and Netflix. Although creative control remains with the UK, how long until American streamers want “everything or nothing” from these too?

Read more about whether UK film and TV has any sovereignty in our May edition of Blimey.