- Amazon faced immediate backlash after releasing digitally altered, “gun-free” posters for James Bond films on Prime Video.
- Critics and fans on social media quickly denounced the move as “woke,” prompting a swift response from the streaming giant.
- In response to the public outcry, Amazon has removed the controversial artwork from its platform.
- However, the replacement images, while different, are also notably gun-free, leaving the debate simmering.
Amazon Retreats After Fan Backlash
Amazon has removed a series of newly created, “gunless” James Bond posters from its Prime Video service following a massive wave of criticism from fans and media outlets. The controversy erupted after the streaming platform updated its thumbnail imagery for the iconic spy franchise, only for viewers to discover that James Bond’s signature firearms had been digitally erased from classic promotional shots.
Iconic Imagery Sanitized
The altered artwork targeted some of the most famous images in the 007 canon. A celebrated portrait of Sean Connery from Dr. No, which famously shows him holding his Walther PPK pistol, was edited to remove the weapon. Similarly, a teaser poster for Daniel Craig’s Spectre was cropped to hide the gun he was holding, though his shoulder holster remained visible. An image of Roger Moore from Live and Let Die holding a .44 Magnum also received a similar edit.
The “Woke” Uproar
The reaction was immediate and fierce. Social media exploded with criticism, and outlets like The Sun and the Daily Mail quickly branded the gun-free posters as “woke,” accusing Amazon of sanitizing the legendary character. This widespread public pressure appears to have forced the company’s hand.
In a quiet reversal, Amazon has now replaced the edited posters with more traditional still images from the films. However, observers were quick to point out that the new selection of images is also conspicuously free of guns, suggesting the company is still navigating how to present the classic action hero in the modern streaming era.
Image Referance: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/oct/06/amazon-drops-gun-free-james-bond-poster-artwork-from-prime-video-streaming-site
