The James Bond franchise continues to generate buzz following the surprising news that Amazon has taken full creative control over the iconic spy series. As speculation mounts about who will next don the tuxedo and carry the Walther PPK, a recent report has clarified that James Bond will remain a man and must be British or from the Commonwealth, dashing hopes for actors like Ryan Gosling.
According to the Mail on Sunday, Amazon has issued an internal memo confirming that James Bond's gender and nationality will not change during their stewardship of the franchise. This decision is likely to resonate well with former Bond actor Pierce Brosnan, who portrayed the suave spy in films such as GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough, and Die Another Day from 1995 to 2002. In a recent interview with The Telegraph, Brosnan affirmed his belief that "it’s a given" that 007 should be British.
The Next James Bonds Who Never Played 007
26 Images
With the door open to actors from the Commonwealth, Australian star Chris Hemsworth's previous interest in the role has resurfaced. In 2019, Hemsworth, known for his roles in Thor and Extraction, told Balance magazine, "When we were shooting Rush, someone had said that and I thought, 'Cool, if this is my audition tape, then great.' I don’t think you’ll ever meet anyone who doesn’t want to have a crack at James Bond. I’d love to do it." He emphasized that the decision is complex and lies with Bond fans, producer Barbara Broccoli, and the entire Bond team.
Following the Mail on Sunday's report, Hemsworth's comments have gained new relevance, leading to speculation from The Today Show Australia that "It's a surety. He is in."
Could Chris Hemsworth play Bond? Photo by Tuane Fernandes/picture alliance via Getty Images.
There's some concern about the future of the franchise after Amazon's acquisition and the stepping back of long-time producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. Amid rumors of a potential Bond TV series, Variety reported that a new Bond film remains the "top priority." Amazon's first step is reportedly to find a producer similar to David Heyman, known for his work on the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films, to bring a cohesive vision to the franchise.
Christopher Nolan expressed interest in directing a Bond film following Tenet, but Broccoli reportedly turned him down, insisting no director would have "final cut" under her control. Nolan went on to direct Oppenheimer, which was a major success, grossing nearly $1 billion globally and winning Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director.
Amazon's control over Bond has not been universally welcomed. When asked about directing a Bond film in a recent Reddit AMA, the director of Longlegs and The Monkey was unequivocal: "No, because f**k Jeff Bezos."
Fans eagerly await news on who will next play Bond. While names like Tom Hardy, Idris Elba, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson (previously rumored to be a top contender) are circulating, Henry Cavill remains the fan-favorite.
AnswerSee ResultsAccording to Variety, Amazon cannot proceed with hiring for Bond until the finalization of its deal with Broccoli and Wilson, expected later this year. This news follows reports of an ongoing "ugly" stalemate between the Broccoli family and Amazon, which has left the franchise "on pause," as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Amazon's acquisition of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for $8.45 billion in 2021 granted them the rights to release Bond movies, sparking the current behind-the-scenes battle with Barbara Broccoli, who previously held creative control and chose the actors to play the British spy.
Neither Amazon nor Eon Productions have issued comments on the ongoing situation.
