Ever since Amazon MGM Studios took over creative control of the James Bond franchise, there has been much uncertainty over the future of the famous spy and who would embody the iconic role next. To this end, the studio has come forward to assure fans that it will keep Bond’s legacy intact, and that the character will retain his nationality and gender moving forward.
As reported by the Daily Mail, Amazon circulated an internal memo “stipulating the spy will not change gender or nationality”. An insider source further corroborated the news, noting the “many erroneous rumours about the future of Bond” and explaining that “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”.
James Bond made his first big screen appearance in 1962’s Dr No, where he was portrayed by the late Sean Connery. The film’s producer, Albert R. Broccoli, formed Eon films, which would go on to produce subsequent Bond films, with Broccoli eventually handing the reins over to his daughter Barbara and stepson Michael G. Wilson, with the duo moulding the IP into the multi-billion dollar franchise it is today.
In February this year, Amazon MGM Studios entered an agreement with Wilson and Broccoli, attaining creative control of the Bond franchise after more than 60 years and ending the long-running stalemate between the duo and Amazon after the latter acquired the rights to release Bond movies due to its US$9 billion purchase of James Bond studio MGM in 2021. With its new ownership, fans were understandably concerned about the future of the franchise, but from its latest statements, the company seems to be paying proper respects to the legendary character, at least for now.
The legacy of Bond himself might be safe at the moment, but the fate of the franchise’s other notable characters such as Q or Moneypenny still remains up in the air. Bond’s latest adventure, 2021’s No Time to Die, saw Daniel Craig take on the 007 role for the fifth and final time since his introduction in 2006’s Casino Royale, alongside Ben Whishaw as Q and Naomie Harris as Moneypenny.
Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise “duds” like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3. He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying.
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