AMAZON bosses approached by the owners of the James Bond franchise about creating a female 007 spin-off show, according to industry insiders.

They also discussed the possibility of another spin-off involving CIA operative Felix Leiter as well as a prequel about the MI6 secretary Miss Moneypenny, as reported last month by The Sun.

2

Daniel Craig’s Bond successor is yet to be revealed – but it’s set to be a womanCredit: PA
The revelation comes after Amazon struck a deal with the Bond bosses to take over control of the franchise.

It left many 007 purists wondering if boss Jeff Bezos would want a string of shows about the spy on his TV streaming service, Amazon Prime.

Such a move, many said, would dilute the brand and diminish its global standing as a British icon.

Now industry magazine, the Hollywood Reporter, has revealed: “Sources close to the franchise say the streamer approached the Broccolis with pitches for a TV series based on Moneypenny, the MI6 secretary who’s been batting eyes at Bond since Sean Connery’s days, as well as a show about Bond CIA buddy Felix Leiter, and maybe even something involving a female 007.”

The magazine revealed that the then Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson weren’t interested.

But now almost complete control of the Bond franchise has been handed to Amazon, and The Sun revealed that their first spin off is likely to be The Moneypenny Diaries featuring Florence Pugh as Miss Moneypenny.

Fans of the franchise were stunned last month when it was revealed Amazon MGM Studios has taken over creative control of the spy franchise.

Amazon bought Bond’s parent studio MGM in 2022.

But Ms Broccoli had previously branded the firm “f***ing idiots” and refused to green-light the next film with the involvement of Amazon MGM Studios, currently based in California.

The movies are famed for their array of Bond girls including Halle Berry, Ana de Armas, Ursula Andress and Barbara Bach and super villains such as Blofeld.

Brit acting legend admits he wants to play James Bond saying ‘the world’s gone crazy’ if Amazon casts a US star for 007

And while Ms Broccoli and Mr Wilson will still have co-ownership over the brand, it will be down to Amazon to direct the direction of the blockbuster franchise.

But fans fear the move could be the franchise’s downfall, pointing to Star Wars’ perceived demise after Disney bought it from Lucasfilm.

This week British screen legend Ray Winstone threw his name into the ring to be the next James Bond – and had some choice words about the secret agent changing.

Appearing on talkSPORT, the 68-year-old hardman said: “The world’s gone crazy.”

He added: “I’d actually like to play Bond, you know? Get him down to earth, get him a bit gritty.”

2

Ray Winstone wouldn’t mind a crack at playing the British spyCredit: talkSPORT