James Bond fans fear franchise will go 'woke' as Christopher Nolan drops bombshell on directing rumours

So much so, the speculation even led to shifts in the next James Bond markets with bookmakers slashing odds on the likes of long-time collaborators Murphy, Tom Hardy, and even Dunkirk's Harry Styles entering the running.

It was reported Barbara Broccoli and the rest of the team at Eon Productions had identified Nolan as their number one target to lead the next few films in the franchise but Nolan has poured water on the rumours.

“No. Sadly no truth to those rumours," he said during an interview with the AP. "But I’m very thrilled the (SAG-AFTRA) strike is over and we can all get back to work."

While Nolan sounds like he's already lined up his next project as he eyes up a return to work, news it won't be on Bond 26 has left several fans deflated.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter following Nolan's revelation, one film fan said: "Damn.... would of been a good one to see! Some day perhaps! Do you Nolan!"

And a second echoed: "Christopher Nolan not doing the next James Bond film? File under; Oh what could've been."

Others are fearing without Nolan at the helm, the franchise could go "woke", as a third hit out: "He won't do this, the producers have basically said the next bond will be a woke bond for the audience of today."

Another similarly shared their fears "If I see James bond go woke cinema is officially dead."

"Bond movies are dead if they go woke," a fifth complained while a sixth claimed: "If No Time To Die is an indicator for the direction EON wants to go with Bond, it's good Nolan is not in. Dont want him to make woke-compromizes."

However, amid the disappointment were some understanding fans, including one who argued: "I'm a big fan of Bond but I'm okay with this.

"I think the Craig era would have been the ideal time for that to happen. At this point in his career, I'm not eager to see Nolan making franchise films where he likely wouldn't have full creative control." (sic)

There has long been speculation Broccoli and co could look to take Bond in a different direction after the franchise has come under fire in recent years for "outdated" and "misogynistic" themes.

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She previously told Variety: "He [Bond] can be of any colour, but he is male. I believe we should be creating new characters for women — strong female characters.

"I’m not particularly interested in taking a male character and having a woman play it. I think women are far more interesting than that."

But that hasn't stopped speculation about Bond being led by a female star emerging - with a number of Hollywood actresses finding themselves in the running to land the role.

Calls for a more "diverse" Bond also hit headlines earlier this year when an MI6 expert suggested the next actor should be "black", "female" or "black and female".

However, rumours of a complete overhaul to the character have been met with staunch criticism, including from GB News's Mark Dolan and former politician Henry Bolton.