James Bond Movie Rights Explained: Who Owns The 007 Film Franchise

The rights to the James Bond movies have passed through several hands over the years, with multiple different companies owning the character over the course of the franchise’s history. Since 1962, the iconic British spy has been the protagonist of an ongoing series of movies based on Ian Fleming’s original novels, with each individual story setting the stage for a sequel. A number of actors have played the role, but the continuity has remained the same. However, the behind-the-scenes ownership of James Bond has been more complicated, with several different companies fighting to control the character and decide what makes it into the movies.