Online Reporter
LOS ANGELES. − James Bond − now under the creative control of Amazon MGM Studios following its buyout of producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson – will remain a man and British (or the Commonwealth), according to UK media.
The Daily Mail newspaper reports that, following speculation of how the 007 character will evolve with Amazon, an internal memo was circulated at the studio “stipulating the spy will not change gender or nationality.”
James Bond has been one of the big screen’s great icons since his first outing in 1962’s Dr No under the aegis of producer Albert “Cubby” Broccoli.
His daughter Barbara and stepson Wilson took up the baton and have steered the brand into a billion-dollar franchise over the last three decades.
The last Bond film was 2021’s No Time to Die, starring Daniel Craig in his fifth outing as 007.
Broccoli would not be rushed on finding a replacement for her leading man.
Following Amazon’s purchase of MGM Studios including the lucrative Bond intellectual property (co-shared with Broccoli and Wilson’s company EON), creative differences were reported, culminating in last month’s buy-out by Amazon.
With speculation rife as to how Amazon will capitalise on its new property, the Daily Mail quotes an insider at the streamer explaining:
“There have been so many erroneous rumours about the future of Bond. Amazon is committed to keeping the spirit of Bond alive and that means he has to be British or from the Commonwealth − and he has to be male.”
Other questions about the brand − including the prospect of spin-off shows, prequels and properties pushing other characters such as Miss Moneypenny, Q and M to the fore − have yet to be addressed. − Deadline
