James Bond makers shut down gender swap rumours; confirm he will stay a man

Ever since Daniel Craig left the James Bond franchise, there have been rumors about changes to the character, especially his gender. However, with Amazon MGM now in charge of the 007 series, reports confirm that Bond will stay a British male, putting an end to speculation about a gender swap.
Since Amazon Studios took over the James Bond franchise from Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson, fans have been concerned about what lies ahead for the iconic spy.
According to a report by the Daily Mail, an internal memo at the studio confirmed that James Bond will remain male and British, dismissing any speculation about changes to his gender or nationality.
Amid speculation about Amazon’s plans for James Bond, the Daily Mail quoted an insider saying, “There have been many false rumors about Bond’s future. Amazon is dedicated to preserving Bond’s essence, which means he must remain male and British or from the Commonwealth.”
The report also mentioned that Barbara Broccoli insisted Bond must "remain British" before agreeing to the sale.
According to the report, Jeff Bezos, a big fan of James Bond, is keen on exploring new directions for the franchise under Amazon. However, certain aspects of the character will remain unchanged. The memo was issued to reassure everyone, though there are ongoing discussions about the possibility of casting a man of color as the next Bond.
Meanwhile, several uncertainties remain about the future of the 007 franchise, including the possibility of spin-off shows and prequels, which have yet to be clarified.
Last month, it was revealed that Amazon MGM Studios, along with Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, have formed a joint venture to co-own the James Bond intellectual property rights. However, Amazon MGM will have creative control. The financial details were not disclosed, and the deal is expected to be finalized this year.
Michael G. Wilson announced that after nearly 60 years with the James Bond franchise, he is stepping back from producing the films to focus on art and charitable projects. He and Barbara Broccoli have agreed to let Amazon MGM Studios take the lead in shaping the future of the iconic spy series.
Amazon acquired MGM Studios in 2022 for $6.1 billion. The new deal follows years of speculation about James Bond's future, especially after No Time to Die marked Daniel Craig’s final appearance. The franchise, originally launched by Albert "Cubby" Broccoli in 1962, later passed to his daughter Barbara and stepson Michael, who reportedly had creative differences with Amazon MGM over Bond’s direction.