The James Bond rumor mill is churning after Amazon's acquisition of the franchise's creative control. The question of who will play 007 remains unanswered, but a new report sheds some light. According to The Mail on Sunday, an internal Amazon memo confirms James Bond will remain a British or Commonwealth man, effectively ruling out actors like Ryan Gosling.

This news is likely welcome to Pierce Brosnan, who played Bond from 1995 to 2002. He recently told The Telegraph that Bond being British is a given.

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The Commonwealth clause opens the door for actors like Chris Hemsworth, who previously expressed interest. In 2019, he told Balance magazine that while he'd love the role, the decision rests with the Bond community, Barbara Broccoli, and the production team. His past comments have resurfaced following The Mail on Sunday's report, with The Today Show Australia even declaring Hemsworth a shoo-in.

Uncertainty surrounds the future of the franchise following Amazon's acquisition and the reduced involvement of long-time producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. While Variety reports a new Bond film remains the top priority, speculation of a potential TV series persists. Amazon is reportedly searching for a producer, with David Heyman (known for the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films) as a potential candidate.

Christopher Nolan's reported interest in directing a Bond film was previously rejected by Broccoli, who wouldn't relinquish final cut. This decision came before Nolan's success with Oppenheimer.

Amazon's takeover hasn't been universally welcomed. One director, during a Reddit AMA, expressed his opposition to the idea.

Fan speculation remains high, with names like Tom Hardy, Idris Elba, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and the fan-favorite Henry Cavill frequently mentioned.

According to Variety, Amazon is unable to make any hiring decisions until the completion of its deal with Broccoli and Wilson, expected sometime this year. This follows reports of a tense standoff between the Broccoli family and Amazon, leaving the future of the franchise in limbo. Both Amazon and Eon have yet to comment.