James Bond Producers to Receive Honorary Oscars in November

The producers of the James Bond movies, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, will receive honorary Oscars at a ceremony this November, as announced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. This recognition comes as anticipation builds for the next actor to portray the iconic spy, 007.

Wilson and Broccoli, who are half-siblings, have managed the Bond franchise since 1995’s GoldenEye, taking over from Broccoli’s father, Albert. They have overseen several of the series’ most successful films, including 2012’s Skyfall, which grossed over $1 billion. Academy President Janet Yang praised their contributions, stating that the award is a testament to their success in producing the beloved Bond series and their impact on the theatrical landscape.

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The honor comes at a significant time for the Bond franchise, following the departure of Daniel Craig after 2021’s No Time To Die. With no successor announced and Amazon’s acquisition of MGM, which produces the Bond films, the future direction of the series remains uncertain. However, the Broccoli family’s company, Eon Productions, maintains significant creative control over the franchise, which is based on Ian Fleming’s novels.

Wilson and Broccoli will be honored at the Governors Awards in Los Angeles in November, alongside other distinguished recipients such as Quincy Jones and Richard Curtis. Jones, a trailblazing musician, composer, and producer, has received seven Oscar nominations for his work on films like In Cold Blood, The Wiz, and The Color Purple but has never won. Yang highlighted Jones’s immense influence in music, calling him one of the most influential musical figures of all time.

Curtis, a British writer and director, is known for creating beloved films such as Notting Hill, Bridget Jones’s Diary, Love Actually, and Four Weddings and a Funeral. He will receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for his charitable work with Comic Relief, which raises funds for various causes.

The honorary Oscars are awarded annually at the Governors Awards to recognize industry veterans who may not have received adequate recognition at the regular Oscars. This year, a fifth honorary Oscar will be given to Juliet Taylor, the acclaimed casting director behind films like Taxi Driver, Annie Hall, Sleepless in Seattle, and Schindler’s List. The 15th Governors Awards will take place on November 17.