Barry Poznick of Amazon MGM Studios Reflects on His Meeting with Barbara Broccoli About ‘007: Road To A Million’
Outgoing Amazon MGM Studios unscripted chief Barry Poznick recently shared insights into how he gained the trust of Barbara Broccoli, the producer behind the James Bond franchise, in developing the competition series 007: Road to a Million.
Broccoli is renowned for her protective oversight of the iconic British spy series, making Poznick’s pitch for a big-budget competition show a challenging endeavor. "James Bond is probably the biggest IP in the world, so it wasn’t the easiest to say, ‘Let’s turn this into a competition show,’" Poznick remarked during his appearance at Content London.
Despite warnings from others about approaching Broccoli—who many believed would resist the idea—Poznick went ahead and successfully engaged her in conversation. "I met with Barbara and we hit it off," he noted, emphasizing that the project was designed as a "love letter to the super fans of Bond." The series takes participants to thrilling locations worldwide, testing their loyalty to the franchise.
Poznick emphasized that the production needed to meet the high standards associated with the Bond brand. "I wouldn’t say I charmed her as much as listened to her," he added, mentioning that his team opted for a more “playful” approach compared to the more serious brand extensions typically proposed over the years.
Commissioned for Prime Video in 2022, 007: Road to a Million marks the first unscripted series to incorporate the James Bond brand, putting contestants through challenges themed around the franchise, all filmed in various locations globally. The show, produced by UK indie 72 Films and MGM Television, recently launched its second season, with Succession star Brian Cox portraying the Controller, a cunning figure who orchestrates the challenges.
Earlier this year, Amazon MGM Studios secured creative control over the entire James Bond brand, representing a significant shift for the franchise. Poznick, who previously served as General Manager of Unscripted Television at Amazon MGM Studios, has signed a three-year deal to continue as an executive producer on various projects.
He will maintain a first-look production arrangement that includes shows such as The Voice, Shark Tank, Vanderpump Rules, American Gladiators, as well as The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, The Real Housewives of Rhode Island, and The Real Housewives of Orange County. In discussing his new role, Poznick expressed enthusiasm about overseeing current projects while also being innovative and entrepreneurial in his search for "the next big thing."
