James Bond is coming to your TV…sort of. Amazon’s Prime Video streaming service has greenlit the first Bond-branded television show, dubbed 007’s Road to a Million.
But instead of a serialized, multi-episode story set within the British superspy’s universe, this is an unscripted reality series described as a “Bond-style spin” on a race around the world. Think The Amazing Race with high-speed chases, covert missions and a more debonair host (apologies to Phil Keoghan).
Variety got the scoop and reports that the show presented in a “cinematic format” will follow contestants on a global adventure as they compete for a £1 million ($1.3 million) cash prize over eight episodes.
Two-person teams will have to scale “physical obstacles” and “correctly answer questions” around the world, many of which have been featured in the most famous Bond films.
Amazon Prime Video has greenlit James Bond television series – 007’s Road to a Million. Filming starts on the unscripted series this year and will see contestants competing in a global adventure to win the ultimate prize of £1million.https://t.co/KbtKxHmRR6 pic.twitter.com/EgypacBMvG
— James Bond (@007) March 27, 2022
007’s Road to a Million will be produced by Bond IP protectors/producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, MGM television, and Britain’s 72 Films (The Rise of the Murdoch Dynasty, All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspur)
72 Films’ David Glover told Variety, “I first had this idea over three years ago. Dan Grabiner and the UK Originals team took it to a whole other level. To be working with Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli and the Bond franchise is a privilege and a dream come true.”
The news comes after Amazon closed its $8.5 acquisition of MGM, the Bond movies’ distributor. Variety adds that the Bond franchise is believed to have played a big part in the deal.
Per Amazon, “The storied, nearly century-old studio — with more than 4,000 film titles, 17,000 TV episodes, 180 Academy Awards, and 100 Emmy Awards — will complement Prime Video and Amazon Studios’ work in delivering a diverse offering of entertainment choices to customers.”