A leaked memo has confirmed that the next James Bond will remain male, while former Bond actor Pierce Brosnan insists that the role should stay British.
Brosnan Supports Amazon-MGM’s Direction for Bond Franchise
Former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan has voiced his approval of Amazon-MGM’s takeover of the iconic franchise. In a recent interview with The Sunday Telegraph, Brosnan praised the move and expressed his hopes for the character’s future.
“I hope Amazon treats the character with dignity, imagination, and respect,” he stated.
Amazon acquired the Bond franchise for £770 million, marking a major shift in creative control. As part of the deal, longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson stepped back from making key creative decisions. Their family has overseen the series for decades, but internal disagreements over its direction led to this transition.
Reports indicate that Broccoli strongly opposed Amazon’s plans for spin-offs and a potential television series. According to The Wall Street Journal, she allegedly referred to executives as “f***ing idiots.” Although she and Wilson remain co-owners of the franchise, they no longer have full control over creative decisions. Wilson later admitted they were hesitant to give up the intellectual property for television adaptations. Broccoli reinforced this stance, stating, “It’s not something we’ve ever wanted to do.”
This shift in leadership could fast-track the development of the next James Bond film, nearly four years after Daniel Craig’s final appearance in No Time to Die. While no official script, director, or lead actor has been confirmed, top contenders for the role include Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Theo James, and James Norton.
Next Bond Must Be Male and British
A recent Mail Online report quoted an Amazon insider stating that the next Bond must remain male and be either British or from the Commonwealth. This confirmation has put an end to speculation regarding a possible gender swap for the character.
Amazon’s involvement in the franchise has sparked mixed reactions. Some fans worried that the U.S.-based company might push for a non-traditional casting choice, such as a non-white actor or an LGBTQ+ Bond. Although the Bond series has always included a certain level of campiness—famously parodied in Austin Powers—Brosnan previously remarked that Broccoli would never allow a gay James Bond during her lifetime, despite his personal support for the idea.
Others see Amazon’s control as an opportunity to modernize the character. Some fans and critics hope the new era of Bond will move away from the outdated portrayals of women that have defined the series in the past. A review by Esquire once described Bond’s attitudes as “boring, tasteless, and outdated.” Younger audiences, in particular, may find elements of the franchise “cringe,” increasing the pressure for change.
Can James Bond Stay Relevant?
The Bond franchise faces growing competition from modern action heroes like John Wick and Jason Bourne. Over the past 23 years, only five James Bond films have been released, leading some to question whether the character can remain a dominant force in cinema.
Reflecting on his tenure as 007, Brosnan expressed pride in his contributions to the franchise. “We brought the franchise back to life after six dormant years, and GoldenEye was a huge success,” he said. “Everything evolves, and I wish them well.”
As the search for the next Bond continues, fans eagerly await how Amazon-MGM will shape the future of this legendary character.
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