If there’s one franchise that’s deep in WTF territory, it’s James Bond. Ever since Amazon MGM Studios took control of the 007 series, fans have been left wondering: What’s next for the world’s most famous spy? While there’s still plenty of uncertainty, one thing has been made clear—James Bond will remain James, not Jane.
No Gender Swap for Bond
Rumors had been swirling for years about the possibility of a female Bond, but according to recent reports, that idea is officially off the table. Amazon MGM Studios is committed to keeping Bond’s British (or Commonwealth) roots and male identity intact.
“There have been so many erroneous rumors 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.” – MovieWeb
For die-hard fans, this is welcome news. The idea of gender-swapping 007 has always been met with resistance, and even those close to the franchise—like Daniel Craig—have spoken against it.
“There’s no reason to make Bond female when an equally well-written part could be designed specifically for a woman.” – Daniel Craig
Actress Jenna Ortega also weighed in, echoing the sentiment that reinventing Bond as a woman is unnecessary.
Bond’s Future Still Unclear
While the Bond identity crisis may be settled, Amazon MGM’s plans remain a mystery. There’s still no official word on who will take over the role, what the next Bond film will look like, or when we can expect to see 007 back in action.
Interestingly, reports suggest that Amazon’s Jeff Bezos may have had personal motives for acquiring the franchise. Allegedly, Barbara Broccoli (the Bond franchise’s longtime producer) made a backhanded remark about Amazon, and Bezos saw buying the rights as a power move. Classic billionaire drama!
What’s Next for 007?
While Bond’s gender and nationality may be locked in, the future of the franchise remains uncertain. Will Amazon MGM stick to tradition, or will they shake things up in other ways?
What do you think of the decision to keep Bond male? Were you expecting this, or are you disappointed? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
