If the WarnerMedia/Discovery merger wasn’t a big enough move, the streaming wars are heating up as Amazon are in talks to buy MGM Studios for $9 billion.
A deal would be a bargain solely based on the rights of their most prominent property James Bond and the potential of reboots of RoboCop, Pink Panther and Stargate SG-1. As well as legacy films like Silence of the Lambs, The Magnificent Seven, Rocky, Four Weddings and a Funeral and movies going back to the 1920s.
Though there are MGM films that the likes of Warner Bros have bought.
Additionally, they’ve got a fantastic TV library including Vikings, Fargo, Handmaid’s Tale and their unscripted TV like The Voice, The Real Housewives, Survivor, Shark Tank, to name just a few and all easy, binge-worthy shows.
Going to Amazon should interest Barbara Broccoli because Amazon Studios do release in the cinema as well as being a streaming service. This will be important as the Broccoli’s are fully committed to the theatrical experience.
It also plays to my thinking Michael G. Wilson’s will be retiring once No Time To Die is released, and knowing the future is secure will make things easier. It seems like Amazon let their creators focus on creating, which would be perfect for Broccoli and EON.
Additionally, they could focus on Bond spin-offs like a Moneypenny series. If Nomi is a popular character, continue her 007 story in three 90 minute episodes series and adapt the Young Bond books into animated movies or series.
Just having the streaming rights to 007 will up subscribers.
It’s not just the British agent. As mentioned above, they could reboot RoboCop for a series, and they wouldn’t have to break the bank spending a quarter of the $465 million they’re cashing out for the Lord of The Rings series.
Then you can make Stargate a sci-fi franchise to rival Star Trek, modernise the Pink Panther to rival Knives Out and reboot or continue the Legally Blonde films.
Variety is reporting the deal could be between $7-10 billion, but $9 billion will likely be the clinching number, but it hasn’t stopped some companies make a lower bid of $5 billion.
This push comes after Amazon having more the 200 million worldwide subscribers, with Jeff Bezos telling investors 175 million of them streamed Prime Video content, and it’s clear the company will be focusing on increasing that, and the MGM titles will help.
This would be a win-win for everyone just as long as Amazon keeps the famous lion.
The Bear Cave 