AceShowbiz - Fans of the legendary James Bond might need to brace themselves for a longer wait than anticipated, as a new report suggests that a bitter feud between franchise producer Barbara Broccoli and Amazon is holding up production on the next film.

Broccoli, who inherited the rights to the Bond series from her father Albert "Cubby" Broccoli, has found herself at odds with Amazon after the tech giant acquired MGM in 2022.

According to multiple reports, including a detailed account from The Wall Street Journal, the crux of the conflict lies in creative differences. Broccoli reportedly resents Amazon's "algorithm-centric" approach, feeling it clashes with her vision for Bond, which leans heavily on theatrical, big-screen storytelling. Amazon's suggestions for multiple spin-offs and a Marvel-like expansion of the franchise have compounded these tensions.

"She has told friends she doesn't trust algorithm-centric Amazon with a character she helped to mythologize through big-screen storytelling and gut instinct," says the report. Broccoli has allegedly referred to Amazon executives in unflattering terms and taking offense when one of them described the James Bond franchise as "content."

This standoff has left the Bond series in a holding pattern, with no movement on a follow-up to 2021's "No Time to Die". The search for the next actor to portray the iconic spy has also stalled amid discussions about casting a non-white. Broccoli has made it clear that while she is open to diverse casting, she firmly believes Bond should remain a British man, reflecting the character's origins.

The hold-up is reminiscent of previous delays in the franchise's history, such as the six-year gap between 1989's "Licence to Kill" and 1995's "GoldenEye", suggesting that Broccoli is willing to take her time to get it right. Meanwhile, Amazon remains committed to giving the franchise a modern update, which includes a controversial push for TV spin-offs.

Beyond the casting of Bond, there is also a creative debate over the next antagonist. Some proposals include returning to the trope of a "stateless billionaire autocrat," an idea Broccoli believes has already been overused in films like "Tomorrow Never Dies" and "Casino Royale".

The passion and care Broccoli exhibits for the franchise signal her commitment to maintaining its integrity, even as she navigates the complexities of modern filmmaking and new corporate overlords. However, until both sides can reach an agreement, the fate of James Bond remains up in the air, leaving fans to speculate about what the future holds for the world's most famous spy.