Amazon Keeping James Bond Mostly Unchanged Despite Rumors

Amazon’s purchase of the rights to James Bond understandably prompted some worries about changes to the enduring franchise. However, a recent report suggests that the production giant is making no major alterations, instead opting to respect the creative vision of the series’ longtime custodians.

In February 2025, it was announced that Amazon Studios would gain creative control of the James Bond franchise, while Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson would continue to be the co-owners. Since the acquisition, fans feared how things might go haywire, worrying that Amazon’s influence could lead to a drastic overhaul that might include excessive commercialization, spin-offs, or a departure from the traditional Bond formula. However, if a recent report is true, Amazon is going to uphold the franchise’s legacy without any drastic changes.

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According to a Daily Mail report, Amazon circulated an internal memo this week, explicitly stating that the iconic British spy will remain unchanged in terms of gender and nationality, reinforcing the commitment to preserving the character’s legacy and authenticity. The report also makes it clear that Bond will remain true to his origins, emphasizing that he will continue to be portrayed as a male spy of British or Commonwealth nationality, ensuring that the core identity of 007 remains intact. “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,” the Daily Mail quoted the source as saying.

The comments made in the internal memo reaffirm that Amazon Studios is not going to make Bond an American affair, ensuring that the franchise stays true to its British heritage. The aforementioned report comes a few hours after Pierce Brosnan, who portrayed the role of the legendary MI agent in four films between 1995 and 2002, noted that he would want the character to remain British. In a recent interview with the Sunday Telegraph, the actor didn’t shy away from saying that it is “a given” that the next actor chosen to portray James Bond will be of British nationality. Moreover, he believes that Broccoli and Wilson giving creative control was the right thing to do.

For over 60 years, James Bond has been one of cinema’s most enduring and beloved characters, captivating audiences across generations with his suave demeanor, thrilling espionage missions, and larger-than-life action sequences. From Sean Connery’s iconic debut in Dr. No to Daniel Craig’s gritty and emotionally layered portrayal in No Time to Die, the franchise has continuously evolved while maintaining its core identity. Each era of Bond has reflected the times, adapting to shifts in culture, politics, and filmmaking styles, ensuring that 007 remains relevant in an ever-changing world. With Amazon’s acquisition, there is both excitement and skepticism about what the future holds.

While some fear that corporate influence might dilute Bond, Amazon’s vast resources and global reach could also usher in a new era of innovation and storytelling. The streaming giant has the potential to expand the Bond universe in meaningful ways—whether through high-quality spin-offs, deeper character explorations, or cutting-edge cinematic advancements—while still honoring the legacy carefully maintained by Broccoli and Wilson. It would be fascinating to see how Amazon will move forward with the character, and will the production giant actually end up approaching Christopher Nolan to direct the next installment?

All James Bond movies are currently available for streaming on Prime Video.

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Source: Daily Mail