Pierce Brosnan still holds dear his turn as 007 in the James Bond franchise and hopes that the property’s new owners treat it with “respect” and “dignity.”

It’s the Bond movies’ most shocking plot twist in decades. But will the tech giant’s surprise buyout of the franchise prove deadly? Or could it breathe new life into cinema’s most famous spy?

Amazon's Jeff Bezos directed executives to buy out Barbara Broccoli's stake in the James Bond franchise after tensions escalated, spending nearly a bi

James Bond – now under the creative control of Amazon MGM Studios following its buyout of producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson – will remain a man and British (or the Commonwealth), according to UK media.

Pierce Brosnan has said that the next James Bond actor should be a British star, amid concerns that the 007 franchise will no longer be British following Amazon's takeover

Hollywood star Pierce Brosnan said it is a "given" that the next James Bond should be British. His comments come after the concerns that the franchise will not be British anymore in the wake of Amazon MGM Studios, reports Mirror.

Before buying the creative rights to James Bond, Amazon pitched the producers on spinoffs, including one focusing on a female 007.

There were multiple propositions for the James Bond franchise when Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli were still the producers. However, the pair reportedly rejected every single one of them.

The Irish actor insists the next James Bond must be British, dismissing rumours of an American 007, and supports Amazon-MGM’s takeover of the franchise. View on euronews

The James Bond franchise could be expanded with a female 007 spin-off, after streaming giant Amazon previously pitched the idea to producers. Other proposals included spin-offs centred around Bond’s CIA ally Felix Leiter and a prequel focusing on MI6 secretary Miss Moneypenny.

News came in last month that longtime producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli have passed on complete creative control of the spy franchise to Amazon MGM Studios. Though Wilson and Broccoli would remain co-owners.

Daniel Craig as James Bond in 2006's Casino Royale; Halle Berry and Pierce Brosnan in 2002's Die Another Day. Pierce Brosnan has insisted that the next James Bond must be British amid fears the 007 character will be diversified on-screen following its takeover from Amazon Studios.