JAMES Bond will still be a British man despite being sold to “woke” Hollywood streaming site Amazon.
Before giving up ownership of the popular film franchise, 007’s stewards Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson insisted the suave spy has to retain his nationality and gender.
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Ms Broccoli, who took over the Bond brand from company Eon Productions alongside Mr Wilson in 1995, made the arrangement before she agreed to sell the rights to Amazon in a £770million deal.
Insiders have hit back at fears the streaming giant – owned by Jeff Bezos – will turn Bond “woke”.
An insider told the Mail on Sunday: “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.”
They added: “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.
But, Bond’s race is still on the table, with the source adding: “But certain things are up for discussion, like whether Bond should be played by a man of colour.”
Former 007 actor Pierce Brosnan, 71, told The Sunday Telegraph it is a “given” the next actor to take on the role should be British after the success of Daniel Craig, 57.
The Irish actor said: “I thought it was coming for some time I guess, but I think it was the right decision for Barbara and Michael.
“It takes great courage from them to let go, they will still have a say in matters, I hope that [Amazon] handles the work and the characters with dignity and imagination and respect.”
Half-siblings Barbara Broccoli, 64, and Michael G Wilson, 83, took over the Bond franchise from their father and stepfather Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli – who bought the film rights from Bond creator Ian Fleming in 1961.
Since then there have been 25 movies – where Bond defeats villains bent on destruction, all while drinking martinis and seducing women.
After the announcement of the £770 million deal with Amazon, owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos, 61, some fans feared the character would be watered down and turned ‘woke’.
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