The James Bond franchise has been buzzing with talk about what’s next for the legendary character, especially around his gender, ever since Daniel Craig stepped away. But now that Amazon MGM is in charge of the 007 series, it looks like the classic spy will stick to being a male and British, putting those gender swap rumors to rest.

James Bond won't be getting a gender change

Since Amazon Studios took over the James Bond franchise from Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, fans have been anxious about what’s next for 007.

According to a report from the Daily Mail, an internal memo was shared at the studio stating that the character will not be changing gender or nationality.

With all the buzz about how Amazon plans to handle this iconic property, an insider told the Daily Mail, “There have been a lot of false rumors about Bond’s future. Amazon is dedicated to preserving the essence of Bond, which means he needs to be British or from the Commonwealth—and he has to be a man.”

The report also mentioned that Barbara made it clear that Bond had to stay British before she agreed to the sale.

“Jeff (Bezos) is a huge Bond fan, and while he’s eager to see how Amazon can evolve the franchise, there are certain elements that are non-negotiable. That’s why the memo was sent out this week, to put everyone’s minds at ease. However, some aspects, like whether the next Bond could be portrayed by a man of color, are still open for discussion,” the source added.

In the meantime, there are still many unanswered questions about the 007 franchise, including potential spin-offs and prequels.

Here's what we know about the Amazon takeover of MGM Studios

Last month, it was revealed that Amazon MGM Studios, along with Michael and Barbara, has kicked off a new joint venture to co-own the rights to the James Bond franchise. However, Amazon MGM will maintain creative control. The financial details of the deal haven't been shared yet, but it's expected to wrap up later this year.

Michael shared in a statement, “After nearly 60 amazing years with 007, I’m stepping back from producing the Bond films to focus on my art and charity work. Barbara and I believe it’s time for our reliable partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to take the reins and guide Bond into the future.”

Amazon acquired MGM Studios in 2022 for a whopping $6.1 billion. This new agreement comes amid growing speculation about the future of the iconic spy, four years after Bond's last film, No Time to Die, which marked Daniel Craig's final performance in the role. The Bond franchise was originally launched by Albert "Cubby" Broccoli in 1962, and it was later taken over by his daughter and stepson. Since the last film, there have been reports of disagreements between Michael, Barbara, and Amazon MGM regarding the direction of the Bond series.

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