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 left the future of 007 shrouded in mystery. While the identity of the next Bond remains unknown, a new report sheds some light on the character's future. According to The Mail on Sunday, an internal Amazon memo confirms James Bond will remain a British or Commonwealth male, effectively ruling out actors like Ryan Gosling.

This news is likely music to the ears of Pierce Brosnan, who played Bond from 1995 to 2002. In a recent interview with The Telegraph, Brosnan stated that Bond being British is a "given."

Potential Next Bonds: Beyond the Usual Suspects

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The Commonwealth clause, however, opens the door to a wider pool of talent. Australian actor Chris Hemsworth, who previously expressed interest in the role, is a strong contender. In a 2019 interview with Balance magazine, Hemsworth stated, “I don’t think you’ll ever meet anyone who doesn’t want a crack at James Bond. I’d love to do it.” His comments have resurfaced following the recent reports, with The Today Show Australia even declaring his casting a "sure thing."

Uncertainty surrounds the future of the franchise following Amazon's acquisition and the reduced involvement of long-time producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. While Variety reports a new Bond film remains the top priority, speculation persists about a potential Bond TV series. Amazon's search for a new producer, reportedly someone with the cohesive vision of a David Heyman (Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts), is underway.

Christopher Nolan's reported interest in directing a Bond film after Tenet was reportedly rejected by Broccoli, who insisted on retaining final cut. Nolan subsequently directed Oppenheimer, a massive box office success.

Amazon's control hasn't been universally welcomed. One director, during a Reddit AMA, emphatically stated their refusal to direct a Bond film due to their opposition to Jeff Bezos.

Fan speculation continues, 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 is unable to make any casting decisions until the conclusion 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 temporarily stalled, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. Amazon and Eon have yet to comment publicly.