Chapter 353: Eon Productions

Early on, producer Albert R. Broccoli was a financing partner for United Artists, handling some film production loans for them.

As Ian Fleming's James Bond series of novels became a hit, Albert R. Broccoli, along with another producer, Harry Saltzman, acquired the rights to the novels.

Subsequently, Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman sought funding from United Artists, developing the legendary James Bond film series.

According to the contract, United Artists directly held the distribution rights for all future James Bond films, while Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman each retained 50% of the production rights.

In 1975, Harry Saltzman, one of the key figures who successfully launched the James Bond film series, sold his 50% stake to Albert R. Broccoli's Eon Productions.

Since then, Eon Productions and United Artists have maintained joint ownership of the James Bond series, with one party holding production rights and the other holding distribution rights; neither can leave the other behind.

When United Artists was acquired by MGM, the power naturally fell to MGM, while Eon Productions held strong control over the James Bond series.

Albert R. Broccoli was now aging and in poor health, with his daughter Barbara Broccoli and stepson Michael G. Wilson continuously involved in the production of the James Bond films alongside him.

Bringing them to meet Arthur now, the meaning was obvious.

"The James Bond series is fantastic, and Galaxy certainly values it. We will definitely prioritize this GoldenEye," Arthur said after raising his glass and clinking it with the three of them, smiling.

"You also know that Galaxy is currently on a roll. James Bond is formidable, but its importance to Galaxy isn't as high as it used to be."

Albert R. Broccoli, seasoned in the industry, surely understood Arthur's point. The James Bond series was a lifeline for MGM, but for Galaxy, it was only icing on the cake.

His daughter and stepson lacked independent experience in producing James Bond films, and without the James Bond movies, Eon Productions wouldn't be as significant.

"Arthur, your capabilities are well-known in Hollywood. If you participate in James Bond, it will surely unleash even more powerful momentum. Barbara and Michael have always assisted me in the James Bond films; their experience is crucial," Albert R. Broccoli was currently trying to secure the rightful status for Eon Productions.

After all, it had always been United Artists that funded the films, but Eon took a substantial share of the profits. Now, with Galaxy in charge, it wouldn't be as easy.

"Of course, I believe that," Arthur looked at Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, who were 34 and 38 years old, respectively.

They were the heirs to Eon Productions.

"For the future James Bond films, from screenplay and shooting to marketing, MGM will deeply involve itself," Arthur wouldn't let Eon Productions have unchecked control over the project.

"But Eon has always been in command of James Bond, and the results have been excellent!" Barbara Broccoli, who had been silent, finally spoke up.

Arthur shook his head, "The return on investment for James Bond is a bit low for Galaxy; the ratio of input to output isn't quite right. You've seen the performance of the last few James Bond films!"

Albert R. Broccoli sighed, "We agree to your terms. From now on, Eon will submit a detailed budget report to MGM for the James Bond films."

There was no other way; Galaxy's film production capabilities were too strong. Even if Galaxy halted GoldenEye right now, it wouldn't affect them at all. But it was different for Eon; they relied on the James Bond films to survive.

"Good," Arthur thought for a moment and then asked another question, "Is the copyright for Ian Fleming's ninth James Bond novel, Thunderball, incomplete?"

"Thunderball?" Albert R. Broccoli nodded, "Parts of the novel's rights are held by producer Kevin McClory. At the time, Ian Fleming based the novel Thunderball on a film script. That film script was co-written by Kevin McClory, and Ian Fleming published the novel without informing others. Kevin McClory sued Ian Fleming and won, with the court granting him the rightful ownership of the copyright. Later, we co-produced the film Thunderball with Kevin McClory, but it didn't perform well."

Arthur understood, "So, a few years later, Kevin McClory developed a so-called James Bond spin-off, Never Say Never Again, with Warner Bros."

Released in 1983, Never Say Never Again was indeed based on the novel Thunderball, and they even brought Sean Connery back to continue playing James Bond.

Though the production of Never Say Never Again involved many lawsuits, Kevin McClory indeed held most of the rights to the Thunderball novel.

The film was eventually released successfully, and many fans referred to it as a James Bond spin-off, with Warner Bros. promoting it that way. But MGM never acknowledged it as part of the James Bond series.

Albert R. Broccoli sighed, "Kevin McClory mainly holds the rights to the organization SPECTRE. After all, the idea of SPECTRE was his!"

Arthur tapped his arm, fully aware that this was another James Bond copyright dispute. In the future, Columbia Pictures seemed to have acquired the rights from Kevin McClory.

As a result, MGM and Columbia Pictures had another legal battle over this matter, with MGM eventually spending money to reclaim those rights.

"Contact Kevin McClory; MGM wants to buy back his portion of the rights. The James Bond series should be complete, and SPECTRE will certainly reappear in future films," Arthur wanted to prepare in advance to avoid higher costs in the future.

Albert R. Broccoli nodded, "I will negotiate with Kevin McClory, but I expect he will ask for a high price."

Arthur waved, "It's just a few names from a novel. Let him name his price; a few million dollars is acceptable."

Arthur's words surprised not only Albert R. Broccoli but also his daughter and stepson.

He certainly had guts. SPECTRE was a famous international crime organization in the novels. After Thunderball, it had disappeared because MGM and Eon lacked the rights.

*****

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