Amazon has quietly backtracked after releasing a series of doctored James Bond posters that removed the legendary spy’s guns, sparking an online backlash from fans.
Last week, Prime Video UK uploaded vintage artwork for iconic Bond films, but eagle-eyed viewers noticed something was missing. Posters for Spectre, GoldenEye, A View to a Kill, and Dr No had all been subtly altered, guns edited out, hands cropped, and in some cases, bodies stretched awkwardly to cover up the missing weapons.
The alterations were particularly noticeable in the Spectre poster, where Daniel Craig’s hand holding a gun was cropped out entirely. In A View to a Kill, Roger Moore’s figure seemed unnaturally elongated to compensate for the missing firearm.
Sean Connery, in the original Dr No image, appeared more like a posed model than a spy with his arms crossed over his chest - his Walther PPK nowhere in sight.
Fans were quick to voice their displeasure on social media. “Notice in these Amazon #JamesBond digital posters they’ve removed all the guns and given awkward poses? Welcome to a world where promoting James Bond 007 needs to be done without his sidearm,” wrote one user on X.
Another added: “Amazon just removed guns from James Bond posters on Prime Video - erasing the iconic Walther PPK from classic 007 imagery. Bond without his gun is like Batman without his cape - you’ve stripped away the very symbol of who he is.”
Criticism ranged from bemused to incredulous. One user quipped, “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.”
The decision to edit out Bond’s guns has been interpreted as part of a wider trend of sanitising content for modern audiences, though fans were having none of it.
After a few days of heated online debate, Amazon quietly reverted the images, swapping them out for alternative artwork. Interestingly, the replacement posters still avoid showing Bond with a gun, although some fans were relieved to see the most egregious edits disappear.
“I think Amazon have discreetly reversed their decision and restored the original #JamesBond artwork with the guns intact! Shameful that we even ended up here, but who’s happy to see sanity prevail?” commented a delighted fan.
The controversy arrives amid a period of intense speculation about the future of the franchise. Since Daniel Craig stepped down as James Bond in 2021, bookies and fans alike have been guessing who will take up the mantle next.
Names like Jack Lowden, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Callum Turner, Theo James, and even James Norton have been floated as potential candidates.
Recently, director Denis Villeneuve added a twist to the casting race, reportedly looking for a man, a Brit, and an unknown actor for the next 007 - throwing the odds for high-profile names into disarray. Meanwhile, James Norton has officially ruled himself out, citing his age as a factor, and leaving the hunt for the next 007 wide open.
While the gun-free poster debacle may seem minor compared with the casting whirlwind, it underlined just how much the iconic spy’s weapons are central to his identity. For decades, Bond’s Walther PPK has been as recognisable as his tuxedo and martini, a symbol that defines the character in the minds of fans. Removing it, even digitally, sparked near-universal backlash.
Amazon has not publicly commented on the controversy, but its quick reversal suggests that fan outrage carried weight. The incident also demonstrates how closely audiences monitor adaptations and promotional material for beloved franchises, and how quickly missteps can spread online.
For now, James Bond continues to straddle the line between timeless icon and modern-day hero, and his weapons - digital or real - remain a crucial part of that image.
As speculation continues over who will next step into the role, one thing is clear: 007 fans aren’t willing to let go of the classics anytime soon.
