"James Bond to Stay British, Not American, Says Brosnan; 'Longlegs' Director Slams Bezos"

The James Bond franchise is currently shrouded in mystery and speculation, especially following Amazon's acquisition of full creative control over the iconic spy series. Fans are eagerly awaiting news on who will step into the shoes of 007 next, but clarity remains elusive.

Recent reports suggest that Amazon has made it clear through an internal memo that James Bond will continue to be portrayed by a man and will remain British or from the Commonwealth. This decision rules out actors like Ryan Gosling and aligns with the sentiments of former Bond actor Pierce Brosnan, who emphasized in an interview with The Telegraph that the character should be British.

The possibility of an actor from the Commonwealth opens up opportunities for stars like Australian actor Chris Hemsworth, who has openly expressed interest in the role. In a past interview with Balance magazine, Hemsworth reflected on his performance as British Formula One driver James Hunt in the film Rush, suggesting it could serve as an informal audition for Bond. His comments have gained renewed attention following the Mail on Sunday's report, with The Today Show Australia even declaring his casting as a "surety."

Amidst the speculation, there are concerns about the future direction of the franchise under Amazon's stewardship, particularly with long-term producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson stepping back. Variety reported that despite rumors of a potential Bond TV series, a new film remains the "top priority." Amazon is reportedly seeking a producer akin to David Heyman, known for his work on the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series, to guide the franchise.

Director Christopher Nolan had shown interest in helming a Bond film after Tenet, but was turned down by Broccoli, who insisted on retaining final cut control. Nolan subsequently directed Oppenheimer, which was a critical and commercial success, winning multiple Oscars.

Not everyone is thrilled with Amazon's control over Bond. One notable dissenter is the director of Longlegs and The Monkey, who firmly stated in a Reddit AMA that he would not direct a Bond film "because f**k Jeff Bezos."

As for who will be the next James Bond, fan speculation is rampant. Names like Tom Hardy, Idris Elba, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson have been floated, with Henry Cavill emerging as a fan favorite. However, according to Variety, Amazon cannot proceed with hiring until their deal with Broccoli and Wilson is finalized, expected later this year. The Wall Street Journal described the situation as an "ugly" stalemate, with Bond's future "trapped" in the behind-the-scenes battle between Broccoli, who traditionally held creative control, and Amazon, which acquired the rights through its purchase of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 2021.

Neither Amazon nor Eon Productions have issued a comment on the ongoing situation.

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