Amazon MGM Studios' Barry Poznick Remembers Meeting With Barbara Broccoli About '007: Road To A Million'

Barry Poznick, the outgoing head of unscripted programming at Amazon MGM Studios, recently shared insights into how he convinced James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli to back the competition series 007: Road to a Million. Known for her strict oversight of the iconic spy franchise, Broccoli was initially a challenging figure to approach with a high-stakes reality concept.

James Bond is probably the biggest intellectual property in the world, so suggesting a competition show wasnt straightforward, Poznick said during his appearance at Content London.

He recalled the warnings he received before meeting Broccoli. Many advised me against pitching it, saying, James Bond is a film franchisehow could this work? Poznick continued, eliciting laughter from the audience. When I finally met Barbara, we connected immediately. She recognized it as a tribute to Bond fans, taking them on thrilling adventures worldwide to test their mettle.

Poznick emphasized that the show needed to be scaled up to match the grandeur of the Bond brand. He described his approach with Broccoli as listening rather than trying to charm her. The creative team intentionally made the series more playful, contrasting with previous proposals to extend the franchise, which often focused on serious concepts like discovering the next James Bond.

Commissioned by Prime Video in 2022, 007: Road to a Million became the first unscripted series to carry the James Bond label. Contestants face challenges inspired by the films, filmed at global locations. Produced originally by UK-based 72 Films and MGM Television, the series launched its second season earlier this year. Brian Cox, known for Succession, plays the Controller, orchestrating complex trials for participants.

Earlier this year, Amazon MGM Studios acquired full creative control of the James Bond franchise, marking a major milestone for the series.

Poznicks stage appearance followed news of his departure from MGM after nearly a decade with the company, which Amazon acquired in 2022. He has signed a three-year deal to continue as executive producer on various projects, maintaining a first-look arrangement that includes shows like The Voice, Shark Tank, Vanderpump Rules, American Gladiators, and multiple Real Housewives series.

Discussing his new role, Poznick said it will allow him to oversee existing programs while also pursuing entrepreneurial and production-focused initiatives to discover fresh entertainment concepts.

Author: Chloe Ramirez