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 such as GoldenEye and Die Another Day, emphasized to The Telegraph that Bond's British identity is non-negotiable.

The Next James Bonds Who Never Played 007

26 ImagesWith the possibility of a Commonwealth actor taking on the role, 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 highlighted his performance as British Formula One driver James Hunt in Rush as a potential audition tape. Hemsworth's comments have resurfaced amid speculation, with The Today Show Australia confidently stating, "It's a surety. He is in."

Could Chris Hemsworth play Bond? Photo by Tuane Fernandes/picture alliance via Getty Images.The future of the James Bond franchise remains uncertain following 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. During a Reddit AMA, the director of Longlegs and The Monkey firmly rejected the idea of directing a Bond film, citing his disdain for Amazon's owner, Jeff Bezos.

Fans are eager to know who will be the next James Bond. While names like Tom Hardy, Idris Elba, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson have been floated, Henry Cavill 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 indicated that Amazon cannot proceed with hiring for the Bond franchise 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 "trapped."

Neither Amazon nor Eon Productions have issued a comment on the ongoing situation.