Amazon Prime Video has reportedly removed new promotional artwork for the James Bond film franchise. According to a report by Variety, this move followed fan complaints that 007's iconic gun had been digitally removed or obscured in the images, resulting in online criticism. The artwork, which was posted on Prime Video UK ’s website last week, featured altered images for various Bond films, the report claims. In several cases, the iconic Walther PPK pistol was digitally removed from Bond's hand, including in key art for "Dr No" and "GoldenEye”. In other instances, the images were cropped to remove the weapon. For example, the artwork for "A View to a Kill" appeared to have Roger Moore 's arms lengthened to cut the firearm from the frame.
What social media users said about Amazon’s new James Bond posters
The altered images drew attention on social media, with many users criticising the censorship and suggesting it indicated what might happen to 007 now that Amazon owns the franchise.
One user shared the edited James Bond posters and wrote: “They photoshopped all the guns out of the James Bond movie thumbnails. Just in case you still had hope for Amazon being in charge of the franchise.”
Apart from this, British actor Rufus Jones also joked that the edited posters made it appear as though Bond was now making an obscene hand gesture. He wrote: “Amazon have removed the guns from their Bond posters, giving the tantalising impression that Sean Connery and Pierce Brosnan think you’re a w***er.”
Following James Bond Day on October 5 and increased online criticism, Prime Video UK has quietly removed the contested artworks and replaced them with stills from each film, according to the report.
However, people online have observed that none of the stills show Bond holding his gun. Prime Video declined to comment on the matter.
For many 007 fans who commented online, the artwork situation may have raised concerns about the direction of the James Bond franchise, particularly with a new film in development and Denis Villeneuve set to direct. However, the controversy may have resulted from an overzealous decision by the compliance department, the report adds.
What social media users said about Amazon’s new James Bond posters
The altered images drew attention on social media, with many users criticising the censorship and suggesting it indicated what might happen to 007 now that Amazon owns the franchise.
One user shared the edited James Bond posters and wrote: “They photoshopped all the guns out of the James Bond movie thumbnails. Just in case you still had hope for Amazon being in charge of the franchise.”
Apart from this, British actor Rufus Jones also joked that the edited posters made it appear as though Bond was now making an obscene hand gesture. He wrote: “Amazon have removed the guns from their Bond posters, giving the tantalising impression that Sean Connery and Pierce Brosnan think you’re a w***er.”
Following James Bond Day on October 5 and increased online criticism, Prime Video UK has quietly removed the contested artworks and replaced them with stills from each film, according to the report.
However, people online have observed that none of the stills show Bond holding his gun. Prime Video declined to comment on the matter.
For many 007 fans who commented online, the artwork situation may have raised concerns about the direction of the James Bond franchise, particularly with a new film in development and Denis Villeneuve set to direct. However, the controversy may have resulted from an overzealous decision by the compliance department, the report adds.
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