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

The James Bond franchise is at a pivotal moment following Amazon's acquisition of full creative control, stirring up a whirlwind of speculation and rumors about the future of the iconic spy. Amidst this uncertainty, a recent report from The Mail on Sunday sheds light on Amazon's plans, confirming that James Bond will continue to be portrayed as a man from the United Kingdom or the Commonwealth. This decision effectively rules out actors like Ryan Gosling and aligns with sentiments expressed by former Bond actor Pierce Brosnan, who emphasized the importance of the character's British heritage in an interview with The Telegraph.

With the door open for actors from the Commonwealth, Australian star Chris Hemsworth has emerged as a potential candidate. Known for his roles in Thor and Extraction, Hemsworth previously shared his enthusiasm for the role with Balance magazine, stating, "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." His comments have resurfaced amid the recent reports, leading to speculation on shows like Today Show Australia, which confidently declared, "It's a surety. He is in."

The future of James Bond under Amazon's stewardship is not without its concerns. The stepping back of long-time producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson has left fans wary, especially with rumors of a potential shift towards a Bond TV series. However, Variety has reported that a new Bond film remains the "top priority" for Amazon, who are first seeking a producer akin to David Heyman, known for his work on the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts franchises.

Director Christopher Nolan expressed interest in helming a Bond film following his work on Tenet, but Broccoli's insistence on retaining final cut reportedly led to his departure. Nolan went on to direct Oppenheimer, which was a resounding success, grossing nearly $1 billion and winning several Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director.

Not everyone is thrilled with Amazon's control over the Bond franchise. The director of Longlegs and The Monkey made his stance clear during a Reddit AMA, stating, "No, because f\*\*k Jeff Bezos," when asked about directing a Bond movie.

Fans are eagerly awaiting news on who will step into Bond's shoes next. While names like Tom Hardy, Idris Elba, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson have been floated, Henry Cavill remains the fan-favorite. A poll conducted by Variety shows strong support for Cavill, though the final decision remains on hold until Amazon finalizes its deal with Broccoli and Wilson, expected later this year.

The ongoing negotiations and reported "ugly" stalemate between the Broccoli family and Amazon have left the future of the James Bond franchise in limbo, with the Wall Street Journal describing Bond as "trapped" amid the behind-the-scenes battle. Neither Amazon nor Eon Productions have issued a comment on the matter, leaving fans and industry watchers in suspense about what's next for 007.

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