Amazon gives verdict on the gender of next James Bond as Aussie superstar tipped to be in the running for role

The news comes weeks after streaming giant Amazon became the owner of the hit franchise. And one Aussie superstar is tipped to be in the running to replace Daniel Craig as the next 007.

The future gender of James Bond is definitely male – and one of Australias hottest Hollywood exports is still in the running to be the next 007.

Streaming giant Amazon is the new owner of the franchise after striking a deal last month with producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said to be worth more than A$1.5 billion (£770 million).

Quoting unnamed sources and an internal memo circulated by Amazon during the past week, The Mail on Sunday reported that James Bond would remain a male and be either British or from the Commonwealth.

“There have been so many erroneous rumours about the future of Bond. Amazon is committed to keeping the spirit of Bond alive and that means he has to be British or from the Commonwealth – and he has to be male,” the source was quoted as saying.

The next big question will be when there will be another James Bond film – the last one was No Time to Die in 2021, with James Craig making his final 007 appearance with Lea Seydoux.

Daniel Craig attends the No Time To Die World Premiere at Royal Albert Hall on September 28, 2021 in London. This was his last gig as James Bond. Picture: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

And even more importantly, who will fill Craig’s shoes as the tuxedo-wearing, martini-loving and often tortured MI6 agent.

Among the frontrunners is one of Australia’s greatest Hollywood exports, Chris Hemsworth. It’s not the first time his name has come up in relation to the role. In a 2019 interview with fitness magazine Balance, Hemsworth said “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”.

“But that’s up to so many elements and is way beyond myself; it’s not one you can pitch yourself on to either,” he said.

“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.”

Australian actor Chris Hemsworth has said he would “love” to play James Bond. Picture: Rocco Spaziani/Archivio Spaziani/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images

Ms Broccoli and Mr Wilson have closely guarded the British hero’s persona since taking over Eon Productions, the UK company behind previous Bond films, in 1995. Eon was founded by Ms Broccoli’s father and Mr Wilson’s stepfather, Albert Broccoli, who bought the film rights from Bond creator Ian Fleming in 1961.

Jeff Bezos’s group acquired legendary studio MGM in 2022, but the Broccoli family retained exclusive control of the James Bond brand that was part of the studio.

Media speculation is rife about Amazon’s big plans for the James Bond franchise, including expansion to include a female 007 spin-off, a series based on Bon’s CIA pal Felix Leiter and a prequel focused on MI6 secretary Miss Moneypenny, an adaptation based on author Kate Westbrook’s book The Moneypenny Diaries.

Actor Florence Pugh is reportedly a frontrunner for this role.

Originally published as Amazon gives verdict on the gender of next James Bond as Aussie superstar tipped to be in the running for role