The James Bond movies got a moment in the spotlight at the Oscars, a little more than a week after Amazon gained creative control of the franchise in a deal reportedly worth upwards of $1bn, to mixed reactions from fans and film stars. The lengthy tribute featured a speech from franchise star Halle Berry, as well as musical performances from Margaret Qualley, Lisa, Doja Cat and Raye.
The tribute celebrated the tenure of half-siblings Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson, the British-American heirs to the film producer Albert “Cubby” Broccoli, who served as longtime stewards of the franchise. Berry, who played NSA agent “Jinx” Johnson in 2002’s Die Another Day, said that the pair, who had been honored with lifetime achievement awards by the academy last fall, “don’t just produce Bond movies. They were the heart and soul of this franchise for decades.”
