Pierce Brosnan, who portrayed James Bond in four films between 1995 and 2002, has shared his thoughts on Amazon MGM Studios’ recent acquisition of full creative control over the franchise. In an interview with The Telegraph, Brosnan said the decision to sell was the right one for longtime Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, while expressing hope that Amazon will respect the legacy of the character.
“It takes great courage for them to let go,” Brosnan said of Wilson and Broccoli, who will remain co-owners of the franchise despite Amazon’s control. “They will still have a say in matters. I hope that [Amazon] handles the work and the character with dignity and imagination and respect.”
The $1 billion deal marks a shift for the Bond franchise, which has remained under the creative direction of the Broccoli family for decades. The sale has prompted concerns about potential changes to the series, with Brosnan acknowledging that the move “does come with a certain lament.” Despite this, he remains optimistic about the franchise’s future and proud of his own contributions.
“History has been passed on, and I’m very proud to have been part of the history and the legacy of Bond and the movies that I made with Barbara and Michael,” he said. “That we moved the needle, that we brought it back to life. It had been dormant [for] six years and GoldenEye was such a success that it continued and went from strength to strength. … You know, everything changes, everything falls apart, and I wish them well.”
Brosnan also emphasized that the next actor to take on the role of James Bond should be British. Since the inception of the franchise, only British or Commonwealth actors have portrayed 007, with Brosnan, an Irishman, and George Lazenby, an Australian, being the only exceptions. “It’s a given,” Brosnan said, dismissing the idea of an American Bond.
The Amazon MGM deal has sparked debate within the industry, with some filmmakers reconsidering their interest in directing a Bond film. All Quiet on the Western Front director Edward Berger, who had been rumored as a potential Bond director, expressed doubts about joining the franchise under the new ownership. “Barbara Broccoli is no longer doing it, and she is at the heart of this project, so I think it’s something different,” Berger told Variety. “I don’t know. Things have changed. We will certainly miss her very much.”
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Amazon’s approach to the Bond series remains uncertain, with CEO Jeff Bezos previously engaging his social media followers in discussions about potential candidates for the role. While longtime fans await details about the next installment, Brosnan’s comments reflect both a sense of nostalgia and cautious optimism for the future of 007.
