James Bond Will Reportedly Remain a Man and Still Be British or From the Commonwealth, Pierce Brosnan Insists 007 Must Not Be American, and Longlegs Director Says 'F**k Jeff Bezos'

The James Bond rumor mill is churning after Amazon's acquisition of the franchise's creative control. The question of who will play 007 remains unanswered, but a new report sheds some light. According to The Mail on Sunday, an internal Amazon memo confirms James Bond will remain a British or Commonwealth man, effectively ruling out actors like Ryan Gosling.

This news pleases actors like Pierce Brosnan, who famously portrayed Bond. In an interview with The Telegraph, Brosnan stated that a British Bond is a given.

Potential Next Bonds: Beyond the Usual Suspects

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However, the Commonwealth clause opens the door for actors like Chris Hemsworth. In a 2019 interview with Balance magazine, Hemsworth expressed his interest, stating that while the decision rests with the Bond community and Barbara Broccoli, he'd relish the opportunity. Following The Mail on Sunday's report, speculation intensified, with The Today Show Australia even declaring Hemsworth a shoo-in.

Uncertainty surrounds the future of the franchise following Amazon's acquisition and the reduced involvement of long-term producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. While rumors of a Bond TV series circulate, Variety reports that a new film remains the top priority. Amazon's next step is reportedly to secure a new producer, with David Heyman (known for his work on the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films) being a potential candidate.

Christopher Nolan's reported interest in directing a Bond film after Tenet was reportedly rejected by Broccoli, who insisted on retaining final cut. This decision comes despite Nolan's subsequent success with Oppenheimer.

The Amazon takeover hasn't been universally welcomed. One director, during a Reddit AMA, expressed his strong disapproval of Bezos' involvement.

Fan speculation runs rampant, with names like Tom Hardy, Idris Elba, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and the fan-favorite Henry Cavill frequently mentioned.

According to Variety, Amazon's hiring process is on hold pending the completion of its deal with Broccoli and Wilson, expected later this year. This follows reports of a tense standoff between the Broccoli family and Amazon, leaving the future of the franchise uncertain. Amazon and Eon have yet to comment publicly.