JAMES Bond legend Pierce Brosnan has broken his silence on Amazon’s takeover of the 007 movies.
It comes after concern from fans that the UK franchise might lose its British identity following the new Amazon MGM Studios deal.
In February, James Bond owners Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson agreed to sell the rights to Amazon in a £770million deal.
The half-siblings took over the 007 brand in 1995 from their father and stepfather Albert “Cubby” Broccoli – who bought the film rights from Bond creator Ian Fleming in 1961.
Since then they have produced 25 movies, all of which have proved to be big hits.
But fans now fear that the Amazon deal could spell the end of a British Bond as they know it.
Much-loved 007 actor Pierce Brosnan, 71, has now broken his silence on the new deal.
Speaking to The Sunday Telegraph, the Hollywood star said: “I thought it was coming for some time I guess, but I think it was the right decision for Barbara and Michael.
“It takes great courage from them to let go, they will still have a say in matters, I hope that [Amazon] handles the work and the characters with dignity and imagination and respect.”
Fans are still waiting on an announcement on who will be Daniel Craig‘s successor, who was the last actor to play Bond.
In response to this, Pierce said it was a “given” the next actor to take play James Bond will be British.
Irishman Pierce, is one of two non-Brit actors to play 007 in the film franchise – the other being Australian George Lazenby.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”James Bond meets Ms Anders in The Man with the Golden Gun” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6369221308112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]He was a huge hit when he played the famous spy.
He made his debut as James Bond in GoldenEye in 1995.
Pierce was an instant hit and went onto make four films in total.
He stayed in the role until 2002, with his last film being Die Another Day.
Reflecting on his impressive Bond legacy, Pierce said: “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.
“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 … I wish them well.”
FANS FEAR FOR FRANCHISE
Since February’s announcement about the £770 million deal with Amazon, owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos, 61, that have been fears the 007 character could changed.
But they need not worry, as before giving up ownership, Barbara and Michael insisted James Bond would retain his nationality and gender.
Insiders have also hit back at these fan fears, with one telling the Mail on Sunday: “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.”
They added: “Jeff is a massive Bond fan and while he’s excited to see how Amazon can take the franchise forward there are certain things which are sacrosanct.”