In a move that looks set to shake up and perhaps even stir up one of Hollywood's most profitable franchises, Amazon studio MGM is to take creative control of James Bond as the fictional British spy's longtime producers step down.

Under the agreement announced, the rights to 007 will be shared between the movie giant and producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, who are retiring.

The news comes four years after the last Bond film, in which Daniel Craig relinquished the role of the secret agent and fans filled the time with speculation over who would replace him, AFP reports.

Now that Amazon is in charge, maybe audiences won't have to wait too long for the next installment or for additional films.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos wasted no time gathering opinions.

"Who would you pick for the next Bond?", Bezos asked his followers on X.

The agreement confirms that Wilson and Broccoli will not be involved in the Bond franchise after signing off in 2021 with Death Can Wait, the 25th James Bond film, which earned $775 million.

Wilson, whose career with 007 spans nearly 60 years, said he will focus on "art and charity projects" while Broccoli announced plans to pursue other endeavors. | BGNES