The future of the iconic James Bond franchise remains shrouded in mystery following Amazon's acquisition of full creative control over 007. The latest development, reported by the Mail on Sunday, indicates that James Bond will continue to be portrayed as a man from the UK or the Commonwealth. This decision effectively rules out actors like Ryan Gosling, who had been speculated as potential candidates for the role.

Amazon's internal memo, as cited by the Mail on Sunday, emphasizes that the character's gender and nationality will not change during their stewardship. This news is likely to be welcomed by former Bond actor Pierce Brosnan, who portrayed the spy in films from 1995 to 2002. Brosnan, speaking to The Telegraph, affirmed that Bond should remain British, stating, "it's a given."

The Next James Bonds Who Never Played 007

26 Images

The Commonwealth stipulation opens the door for Australian actor Chris Hemsworth, who has openly expressed his interest in stepping into Bond's shoes. In a 2019 interview with Balance magazine, following his portrayal of British Formula One driver James Hunt in Rush, Hemsworth remarked, "When we were shooting Rush someone had said that and I thought, 'Cool, if this is my audition tape, then great.' I don’t think you’ll ever meet anyone who doesn’t want to have a crack at James Bond. I’d love to do it."

He further elaborated that the decision to cast Bond is a collective one, stating, "But that’s up to so many elements and is way beyond myself; it’s not one you can pitch yourself on to either. It’s something that the community of Bond fans, Barbara Broccoli and the whole crew there agree on, and it has to be a very organic decision from them."

Hemsworth's comments have resurfaced amid speculation that a man from the Commonwealth could play Bond, with Australia's Today Show even suggesting, "It's a surety. He is in."

Concerns linger about the franchise's future following Amazon's takeover and the stepping back of long-time Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson. Despite rumors of a potential Bond TV series, Variety reports that a new Bond film remains the "top priority." Amazon is reportedly seeking a producer akin to David Heyman, known for his work on the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series.

Director Christopher Nolan had expressed interest in helming a Bond film post-Tenet, but Broccoli reportedly rejected his involvement due to her insistence on retaining final cut control. Nolan subsequently directed Oppenheimer, which was a critical and commercial success, earning him Best Picture and Best Director Oscars.

Amazon's control over Bond has faced criticism, with the director of Longlegs and The Monkey stating a firm "No, because f**k Jeff Bezos" when asked about directing a Bond film during a Reddit AMA.

Fans are eager to learn who will take on the mantle of Bond next. While names like Tom Hardy, Idris Elba, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson have been floated, the fan-favorite remains Henry Cavill, known for his roles as Superman and in The Witcher.

According to Variety, Amazon cannot proceed with casting until the resolution of its deal with Broccoli and Wilson, expected sometime this year. The Wall Street Journal reported a behind-the-scenes battle, describing the situation as an "ugly" stalemate, leaving the future of Bond "on pause." Amazon and Eon have yet to comment on the matter.