Following Amazon MGM’s acquisition of the James Bond franchise, the future of the iconic spy character has become the subject of much speculation, especially around the question of who will next don the tuxedo. Former Bond actor Pierce Brosnan, who portrayed 007 from 1995 to 2002, strongly believes the next actor must be British. He termed this expectation as "a giving" during his candid interview with the Telegraph.
Brosnan, now 71, expressed his concerns about the potential impact of Amazon’s ownership on Bond's identity. For him, the essence of Bond requires British roots, reflecting the character's historical significance. Brosnan remarked, “in this world moving at the speed of light, [the takeover] does come with a certain lament.” He acknowledges the recent developments, even admitting the difficulty for longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson to let go of creative control. He said, “It takes great courage for them to let go. I hope [Amazon] handles the work and the character with dignity and imagination and respect.”
The handover of creative control to Amazon took place last month, February 2025, confirming the new direction for the franchise. Brosnan recalled his days as Bond with pride, expressing gratitude for the legacy he was part of. “We moved the needle, we brought it back to life. It had been dormant for six years, and ‘GoldenEye’ was such a success,” he reflected.
With the Broccoli-Wilson era officially winding down, speculation about the next Bond actor has ramped up. Already, names like Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Regé-Jean Page, Josh O’Connor, Joe Alwyn, Theo James, and Idris Elba have floated around as potential successors. Brosnan’s fellow 007 alum, Timothy Dalton, echoed similar sentiments about the next Bond needing to be British, citing Bond's British identity as central to its authenticity. Dalton remarked, “It is one of the few wonderful stories we’ve got in film,” emphasizing how closely tied the character's identity is to British culture.
Some fans have raised concerns amid the excitement, particularly fearing Amazon could choose to diverge from tradition when it came to the character's identity or direction. Despite some worrying about the potential for drastic changes—including liberal interpretations of Bond’s portrayal—reports indicate Amazon confirms the next Bond will remain male and British. A leaked memo reinforced this sentiment, easing some fears among the die-hard fans.
While no script or lead actor has been confirmed yet, the industry buzz has turned to potential directors as well. Names have been floated, including Christopher Nolan, who has long shown interest. The transition of executive control brings hope for revitalising the series, which faced challenges with only five entries over the last 23 years. Brosnan emphasized the need for Bond to evolve, especially amid competition from modern action heroes like Jason Bourne or John Wick.
Fans have voiced mixed reactions, with some nostalgic for Bond’s traditional masculinity, whilst others hope for progress. Some are optimistic about Amazon's stewardship, envisioning possible rejuvenation for the series, potentially aligning it with contemporary values. Progress can be seen as necessary, particularly with Bond’s historical attitudes, which have drawn criticism.
During his time as Bond, Brosnan made significant contributions, and his legacy still resonates. He expressed it was “kind of sad” to see such upheaval. He encapsulated his experiences eloquently, hinting at the potential for 007 to navigate changes smoothly, provided those at the helm remain faithful to the character’s essence.
Reflecting on his own future, Brosnan has been engaging with other projects and recently starred with prominent actors like Tom Hardy and Helen Mirren in Guy Ritchie’s upcoming series MobLand, set to stream on JioHotstar from March 31, 2025.
With every rumor and speculation about the next Bond and the direction of the series under Amazon, one thing remains clear: the expectation of the character's essence—a proud British spy—continues to be cherished by legends like Brosnan and Dalton. The winds of change might be blowing through the world of 007, but the roots remain firmly planted, reflecting the legacy of one of cinema's most iconic characters.