For years, Marvel Studios was on top and not letting anyone forget it.

But the last couple of years, apart from “Spider Man” movies, haven’t been an easy go.

Now comes “Captain America: Brave New World.” Opening weekend brought $88 million.

But since then, it’s been all downhill. On Monday, which was a holiday, receipts were down by 45%. On Tuesday, down again 43%. Last night, another 46%.

This isn’t looking for the weekend. If the week to week drop is 50% or more, that’s trouble in Disney Land.

The only competition, starting tonight: a Stephen King horror movie called “The Monkey.” (Don’t ask.) So far it’s got an 85% on Rotten Tomatoes with critics and audiences. Could it knock off “The Monkey”?

Director of “The Monkey” is Oz Perkins. His late father was Hollywood star Anthony Perkins, known so well for “Psycho.” His mother was Berry Berenson, actress and socialite who died tragically in a plane on 9/11. His aunt is Marisa Berenson, the great actress and model. He”s not monkey-ing around!

United Talent Agency is canceling its pre-Oscar party. They’re the first group in Hollywood to acknowledge the fires took place at all.

So far, Vanity Fair and Chanel (guided by London flack Charles Finch) are having parties without a thought to the wildfires.

UTA says they’ll donate funds instead to three groups:

·    SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Natural Disaster Relief Fund is providing disaster relief assistance to SAG-AFTRA members whose homes were damaged or destroyed.

·    Entertainment Community Fund (Formerly the Actors Fund) is accepting applications for essential needs and financial relief (housing, utilities, healthcare, etc.) for entertainment performers and professionals.

They say they’ll also donate to the Motion Picture and TV Fund, but that’s what we call a canard: everyone donates to the fund anyway. Vanity Fair is doing the same thing. The Fund has little to do with the fires at all. In fact, the Fund already as a party on Oscar eve called The Night Before, paid for by the studios. Celebrities line up to get swag bags full of expensive trinkets.

As for Vanity Fair, they will just party on. Same for Finch and Chanel.

Other talent agencies like UTA — Creative Artists, WME, etc — have parties planned for Friday night, February 28th.

Meantime, the studios themselves are looking warily at parties. Universal and Focus will celebrate “Wicked” and “Conclave” on the Wednesday before the Oscars. Last year, with “Oppenheimer” looking at multiple wins, the studio took over SoHo House after the Oscars show.

So far no word from Searchlight (“A Real Pain,” “A Complete Unknown”), or Neon (“Anora”) about their plans. Netflix may be gunshy with “Emilia Perez.”

It’s bewildering that the movie community has not stepped up like the music world did for Grammy Week. “Fire Aid” raised $100 million, half of which has been donated to aid groups this week.

In a shock announcement this morning, the James Bond film franchise has been sold off to Jeff Bezos’s Amazon MGM Studios.

Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli — the stepson and daughter of the late Albert “Cubby” Broccoli — have turned over artistic control of the famed franchise to Bezos for what is surely a staggering amount of money.

Bezos adds this coveted cinema jewel to his Amazon world that includes Amazon Studios, Whole Foods, Blue Origin, AXS, and the Washington Post.

Wilson and Broccoli will still be part owners. But their strict control over all things Bond is gone. Amazon MGM — currently led by Jennifer Salke — is now responsible for all decisions, good or bad, shocking or welcomed.

It’s kind of unbelievable because it opens the door to things previously thought impossible. The next James Bond movie, for example, could go straight to streaming on Amazon, or first have a two week theatrical run before hitting the streaming world.

Artistic control will also mean the choice of actors to replace Daniel Craig. All bets are off now as 007 could be anything: American, British, male, female, Black, white, Asian, gay, or straight. There could be many James Bonds at the same time. There might be prequels and sequels and spin offs never imagined. Or desired.

Now, there could be multiverses of James Bond, even use of the original stars remade in AI. The possibilities are endless.

James Bond has been through a lot of challenges and adventures in his day. but this may prove to be his toughest. Is Jeff Bezos the new Dr. No? His ownership of the Washington Post, for example, has turned out to be a disaster on many levels. This turn of events could be the ultimate Skyfall.

Here’s the official statement:

“Since his theatrical introduction over 60 years ago, James Bond has been one of the most iconic characters in filmed entertainment,” said Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios. “We are grateful to the late Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman for bringing James Bond to movie theatres around the world, and to Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for their unyielding dedication and their role in continuing the legacy of the franchise that is cherished by legions of fans worldwide. We are honoured to continue this treasured heritage, and look forward to ushering in the next phase of the legendary 007 for audiences around the world.”

“With my 007 career spanning nearly 60 incredible years, I am stepping back from producing the James Bond films to focus on art and charitable projects. Therefore, Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future,” said Wilson.

“My life has been dedicated to maintaining and building upon the extraordinary legacy that was handed to Michael and me by our father, producer Cubby Broccoli. I have had the honour of working closely with four of the tremendously talented actors who have played 007 and thousands of wonderful artists within the industry. With the conclusion of No Time to Die and Michael retiring from the films, I feel it is time to focus on my other projects,” commented Broccoli.

In 2022, Amazon acquired MGM, including a vast catalog with more than 4,000 films and 17,000 TV shows. Since the MGM acquisition, Amazon has held rights to distribute all of the James Bond films, and as a result of this transaction will have creative control over future productions.