Disney’s appetite for acquiring iconic intellectual property is well documented, from Marvel to Lucasfilm to 20th Century Fox. Now a new report reveals the company once had its eyes on one of the most valuable film franchises in the world: James Bond.
In an exit interview with the Financial Times, former Disney CEO Bob Iger revealed that James Bond was on the company’s list of acquisition targets during the spending spree that landed Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars. “We put together a list of acquisition targets. Marvel was one, Star Wars was another, James Bond was one,” Iger said. “We had a list and I figured let’s just tick them off and buy them all.” The Bond talks never came to fruition, but the disclosure reflects Disney’s consistent strategy of acquiring proven, multigenerational franchises rather than building them from scratch.
Why Bond Made Sense for Disney
On paper, James Bond is exactly the kind of asset Disney has repeatedly sought out. The franchise spans 25 films over six decades, has generated more than $7 billion at the global box office, and commands one of the most devoted fan bases in cinema. For years, Bond was also one of the few remaining major film franchises not owned by a large studio conglomerate, making it a uniquely attractive acquisition target.
Disney has demonstrated its ability to expand acquired franchises with both Marvel and Star Wars, taking properties with passionate fanbases and scaling them into sustained theatrical and streaming ecosystems. A Bond acquisition could theoretically have followed a similar path, with theatrical films continuing alongside Disney+ series, spinoffs, and animated projects.
The Broccoli Factor
The sticking point with any Bond acquisition had always been the Broccoli family. Barbara Broccoli and her half-brother Michael G. Wilson maintained creative control over the franchise since Cubby Broccoli co-founded EON Productions, and Barbara in particular was fiercely protective of Bond’s identity and the theatrical-first approach that defined the series. She consistently resisted pressure to pivot toward streaming and showed little interest in ceding creative control to a larger corporate parent, which reportedly made potential buyers hesitant.
Ultimately, Bond was the franchise that got away from Disney. In February 2025, Amazon MGM Studios took full creative control of the franchise, with Wilson and Broccoli stepping back after decades of stewardship. Amazon has since moved quickly to reboot the series, with Amy Pascal and David Heyman producing and Denis Villeneuve directing the 26th film. For more on Disney’s acquisition history, check out our coverage of Disney’s 2026 earnings and business strategy.
For the latest news and updates make sure to follow us on social media! Facebook | Twitter | Threads | Instagram
