James Bond Oscars tribute features Lisa from Blackpink, Doja Cat, Raye
The 2025 Oscars were shaken (not stirred) by the most famous spy in the world.
Sunday’s 97th annual Academy Awards ceremony featured a tribute to James Bond and the franchise’s long-running history of legendary and Oscar-nominated and -winning theme songs, including winner “Skyfall” (which was performed and cowritten by Adele)
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The Bond franchise has received six Oscar nominations for its many indelible songs, including “Live and Let Die” from 1973’s Live and Let Die (performed by Wings and cowritten by Paul and Linda McCartney), “Nobody Does It Better” from 1977’s The Spy Who Loved Me (performed and written by Carly Simon), and “For Your Eyes Only” from 1981’s For Your Eyes Only (performed by Sheena Easton and written by Bill Conti and Mick Leeson). Famous tracks performed by Shirley Bassey (“Goldfinger”), Nancy Sinatra (“You Only Live Twice”), and Duran Duran (“A View to a Kill”) were snubbed by the Academy.
Former Bond actress Halle Berry started the segment by praising outgoing producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli (more on them below). "They don't just produce Bond movies; they were the heart and soul of this franchise for generations," said Berry, who appeared in Die Another Day. After a quick clip package, the production switched to an interpretive dance performance from Margaret Qualley on the Oscars stage, before a trio of top recording artists put their spin on the classic Bond themes. Lisa from Blackpink performed "Live and Let Die," Doja Cat sang "Diamonds Are Forever," while Raye took her shot with Adele's "Skyfall."
The Oscars and James Bond have a long history. In 2022, to celebrate the film franchise’s 60th anniversary, the Academy ran a special montage to highlight the many unforgettable Bond movies and moments. Last year, longtime Bond producers and brand stewards Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli were honored with the Irving Thalberg Award at the Oscars Governors Awards. Their father, Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli, received the same honor in 1981 (Barbara Broccoli is only the second woman to receive the Thalberg tribute). “The selection of Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli is a testament to their success as producers of the fan-favorite Bond series and their contribution to the industry’s theatrical landscape,” Academy president Janet Yang said about the producers in a statement last year.
Since that honor, things have changed in the world of Bond. In February, Amazon MGM Studios revealed it had created a new venture with the Bond producers to develop the intellectual property without their oversight.
“Since his theatrical introduction over 60 years ago, James Bond has been one of the most iconic characters in filmed entertainment,” Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios said in announcing the move. “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 honored 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 honor 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 Barbara Broccoli.
The last Bond film Barbara Broccoli and Wilson produced was 2021’s No Time to Die. That film was also the final appearance of Daniel Craig in the 007 role. (The film ended with Craig’s version of Bond dying, a first for the franchise.) In the four years since No Time to Die was released, there has been little movement on the next franchise installment. Now that Amazon has creative control, however, the Bond franchise is expected to follow in the footsteps of Marvel and Star Wars and become a multi-pronged cinematic and television universe.
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