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Amazon has ignited fan outrage with plans to cast the youngest James Bond ever and take the spy franchise in a retro direction.
The streaming giant aims to revitalize the series following its $990 million acquisition from Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson in February, after Daniel Craig’s final appearance as 007 in 2021’s No Time to Die.
Now, the studio plans to set the new film in the 1950s and 1960s, revisiting the spy’s origins, which could pave the way for more spin-offs. However, this move has not been well received by fans.
A source commented, “Tampering with such an iconic format is always a risky move. Fans are accustomed to seeing a new film every few years set in the present day. But going back in time clearly annoys Bond purists, and with the possibility of more spin-offs, there’s a risk of over-saturation, which could ultimately undermine the brand.”
Executives are reportedly eager to cast a 20-something actor for the “preboot” films set in the era when Ian Fleming wrote the original James Bond books.
Among the actors rumored to be in the running are Spider-Man star Tom Holland, 28, Bridget Jones’ heartthrob Leo Woodall, 28, SAS Rogue Heroes lead Connor Swindells, 28, as well as Hero Fiennes Tiffin, 27, and Kit Connor, 21.
Also reportedly on the shortlist are Gladiator 2 star Paul Mescal, 29, and Saltburn’s Jacob Elordi, 27.
The new Bond could follow in the footsteps of Australian actor George Lazenby, who played 007 in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service at the age of 29 in 1968.
Fans have taken to social media to express their frustration over Amazon’s interference with the James Bond franchise. One fan wrote: “When will people realize that the ones at the top don’t want you to have anything? They want to meddle with everything and ruin it for all of us.”
Another fan commented: “Does anyone really want a young James Bond? Sounds like garbage. I do like the idea of setting it in the ’50s and ’60s, but I have a feeling it won’t capture the real essence of those decades.”
A third fan added: “They’ll end up tailoring it to please people who don’t even watch it, right?
It was revealed last month that James Bond will remain a man and will continue to be British or from the Commonwealth, putting to rest concerns that the character would be altered due to “woke” Hollywood pressures.
Amazon reportedly circulated an internal memo clarifying that Bond’s gender and nationality would not be changed.
A source stated: “There have been so many misleading rumors about Bond’s future. Amazon is dedicated to preserving the essence of Bond, which means he must remain British or from the Commonwealth—and he must remain male.”
