Pierce Brosnan says next James Bond must not be American as he ‘laments’ franchise’s Amazon takeover
LONDON, ENGLAND: Pierce Brosnan, the fifth actor to play the suave James Bond, believes that the next actor playing agent 007 must be British, as he “lamented” the takeover of the Bond franchise by Amazon MGM Studios.
The 71-year-old British actor, who essayed the role of Bond in four films, including ‘Die Another Day’, recently shared his preference for the next Bond actor to bear the same nationality as the legendary character.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Brosnan, who portrayed the character from 1995 to 2002, suggested that the next Bond actor should not be American.
Pierce Brosnan shares his preference for British actors to play James Bond
After Pierce Brosnan retired from playing James Bond, the mantle was taken up by fellow English actor Daniel Craig, 57, who served as Bond in five films from 2006’s ‘Casino Royale’ to ‘No Time to Die’ in 2021.
However, after Craig stepped down, the position has been left vacant, with big names - including British-American actor Andrew Garfield and British actor Henry Cavill - being floated. American actor Oscar Isaac’s name has also come up as a contender.
Suggesting his preference, the ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’ star said, "It's a given that Craig's successor should be British," per Ace Showbiz.
The list of contenders from the other side of the Atlantic consists of stars like James Norton, Theo James, Idris Elba, Henry Cavill, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, along with Oscar-winner and Brosnan’s fellow Irish colleague Cillian Murphy.
Brosnan's reflection on the selection of the next Bond actor came after he was asked about the possibility of playing an older Bond.
During an interview with GQ, the star was asked whether he was up for playing Bond again.
To this, the ‘Dante’s Peak’ star replied “Of course, how could I not be interested?”
He, however, admitted, “But it's a delicate situation now. I think it's best to let sleeping dogs lie, really. I think so. It's a rather romantic notion and idea, but I think everything changes, everything falls apart. I think that it's best left to another man, really. Fresh blood.”
Pierce Brosnan says James Bond franchise takeover comes with ‘certain lament’
During the interview with The Telegraph, the ‘Mamma Mia!’ star further reflected on the deal that cemented the James Bond franchise's handover to Amazon MGM Studios.
For decades, the Bond films have been produced by the Broccoli family. However, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal in December 2024, the Broccolis and Amazon reached “an impasse” regarding the new films after Jeff Bezos’ company acquired MGM Studios and the rights to distribute the franchise in 2022.
Two months after, on February 20, Barbara Broccoli, and Michael G Wilson, in association with Amazon MGM Studios, announced that the studio would assume creative control over the spy franchise.
Speaking about the takeover, Brosnan shared, “I thought it was coming for some time I guess, but I think it was the right decision for Barbara and Michael," as reported by Daily Mail.
Nevertheless, he hoped that following the takeover, Amazon would handle the character with the same “dignity” and “respect” which 007 was accorded earlier.
“It takes great courage for them to let go, they will still have a say in matters, I hope that [Amazon] handles the work and the character with dignity and imagination and respect,” shared the veteran actor, before noting, “In this world that is moving so fast now, at the speed of light, the change does come with a certain lament.”
Based on the fictional character created by British author Ian Fleming, the 007 franchise follows the adventures and missions of the British Secret Service agent James Bond.
