"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, leaving fans eagerly awaiting news on who will step into the iconic role next. Recent reports have clarified that under Amazon's stewardship, James Bond will continue to be portrayed by a man and will remain British or from the Commonwealth, dashing hopes for actors like Ryan Gosling.

An internal memo from Amazon, as reported by The Mail on Sunday, has confirmed these stipulations, much to the satisfaction of former Bond actor Pierce Brosnan. Brosnan, who portrayed the suave spy in films from 1995 to 2002, emphasized to The Telegraph that Bond's British identity is non-negotiable.

The Next James Bonds Who Never Played 007

26 ImagesWith the door open to actors from the Commonwealth, Australian star Chris Hemsworth has emerged as a strong contender. Hemsworth, known for his roles in Thor and Extraction, previously expressed his interest in playing Bond to Balance magazine in 2019. He mentioned his performance as British Formula One driver James Hunt in Rush as a potential audition tape, 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." He acknowledged, however, that the decision lies with the Bond community, producer Barbara Broccoli, and the entire team, emphasizing the need for an organic choice. Following the recent report, The Today Show Australia confidently declared, "It's a surety. He is in."

Concerns linger about the future direction 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 has reported that a new Bond 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.

Christopher Nolan, who expressed interest in directing a Bond film post-Tenet, was reportedly turned down by Broccoli, who insisted on retaining final cut control. Nolan subsequently directed Oppenheimer, which was a massive success, grossing nearly $1 billion and winning multiple Oscars.

Amazon's control over Bond has not been universally welcomed. When asked about directing a Bond film during a Reddit AMA, the director of Longlegs and The Monkey bluntly stated, "No, because f**k Jeff Bezos."

Fans are eager to see who will be the next Bond, with names like Tom Hardy, Idris Elba, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson being floated. However, Henry Cavill, known for his roles in Superman and The Witcher, remains the fan-favorite.

Who’d You Pick as the Next Bond? --------------------------------

Henry CavillTom HardyChris HemsworthJames McAvoyMichael FassbenderAaron Taylor-JohnsonIdris ElbaSomeone else (tell us who in the comments!)

AnswerSee ResultsVariety has noted that Amazon cannot proceed with hiring for Bond until the closure of its deal with Broccoli and Wilson, expected later this year. The Wall Street Journal reported a tense standoff between the Broccoli family and Amazon, describing the situation as an "ugly" stalemate that has left the franchise "on pause."

Amazon and Eon have yet to comment on these developments.