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?

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Variety has learned exclusively that the ceremony will perform a special tribute of the iconic songs of the James Bond franchise at Sunday’s Academy Awards in honor of longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, who received Hon orary Oscars at the past Governors Awards. The Academy declined to comment.

Amazon MGM Studios, which now holds the creative control of the James Bond franchise, has stated that the gender or nationality of the spy James Bond in the movies will not change in its upcoming instalments,

Pierce Brosnan, 71, played James Bond in four films and has weighed in on the next 007, saying the franchise should remain British as he spoke in the wake of Amazon's takeover