James Bond will remain a man and will still be British or from the Commonwealth – despite the films being taken over by ‘woke’ Hollywood.
Fans of 007 feared Amazon Studios – owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos – would corrupt the British super spy after buying the Bond franchise and rights for £770 million from Bond stewards Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson.
But The Mail on Sunday can reveal that Amazon this week circulated an internal memo stipulating the spy will not change gender or nationality.
A source said: ‘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.’
Ms Broccoli and Mr Wilson have fiercely protected the image of the British hero since taking over Eon Productions, the UK company behind previous Bond films, in 1995.
Ms Broccoli is said to have insisted on Bond remaining British before agreeing to sell. Eon was founded by her father and Mr Wilson’s stepfather, Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli, who bought the film rights to the martini-sipping, womanising spy from Bond creator Ian Fleming in 1961.
There have since been 25 Bond films, starting with 1962’s Dr No. But last month Ms Broccoli, 64, and Mr Wilson, 83, announced they had sold all creative rights to Amazon, headed by bald-headed Mr Bezos, who some fans compare to a Bond villain.
Fans complained Amazon’s plans to develop spin-off shows including one focusing on the early days of 007’s secretary Miss Moneypenny would ruin the franchise. And they feared Amazon would try to ‘wokeify’ Bond.
The last Bond, Daniel Craig pictured with Lea Seydoux. Amazon have confirmed that the next actor to play the famous spy will be male and from either the UK or the Commonwealth
Left to right: Albert R ‘Cubby’ Broccoli pictured with former Bond actor Sean Connery, series author Ian Fleming and Harry Saltzman
Barbara Broccoli is said to have insisted on Bond remaining British before agreeing to sell the rights to the series to Amazon
But last night an Amazon insider said: ‘Jeff is a massive Bond fan and while he’s excited to see how Amazon can take the franchise forward there are certain things which are sacrosanct. That’s why the memo went out this week, to reassure everyone.
‘But certain things are up for discussion, like whether the next Bond should be played by a man of colour.’
The last Bond film was 2021’s No Time To Die, starring Daniel Craig and Lea Seydoux.
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