Streaming giant Amazon Prime Video recently landed in a major controversy after fans noticed a curious detail in their promotional artwork for classic James Bond films: all the guns were gone. The beloved secret agent’s iconic firearms had been digitally airbrushed or cropped out of numerous movie stills, igniting a firestorm of criticism across social media.
Last week, Prime Video UK unveiled new posters that presented a notably gun-free 007. In several instances, such as artwork for Dr. No and GoldenEye, James Bond’s signature Walther PPK was conspicuously absent from his hand. The alterations were particularly evident in the poster for A View to a Kill, where Roger Moore’s arm appeared unnaturally lengthened, seemingly to remove his weapon from the scene.
The digital changes were met with swift and strong condemnation. Critics labeled the alterations as ‘cultural vandalism,’ expressing concern over the integrity of the classic film franchise. Author John A. Douglas took to social media, sharing the altered images and questioning Amazon’s approach to the Bond legacy. British actor Rufus Jones also joined the conversation, humorously remarking on how distinctly different, and less menacing, the posters now looked.
Following this widespread uproar, which coincided with the annual James Bond Day on October 5, Amazon Prime Video quickly replaced the controversial artwork. The platform has since reverted to displaying original film stills, though it has remained silent, declining to offer any official comment on the matter.