Amazon Prime Video has quietly taken down James Bond artwork after getting backlash online from fans who spotted that 007‘s gun had been airbrushed out.
Last week, artwork for the franchise was posted on the Prime Video U.K. website in which, across each film image where a gun had previously been displayed, Bond had effectively been digitally disarmed. In several cases, such as “Dr. No” and “Goldeneye,” the iconic Walther PKK had been edited out of his hand, while in others it had been cropped out. In the case of “A View to a Kill,” Roger Moore’s arms looked like they had been lengthened, cutting his gun from the frame.
The doctored images didn’t go unnoticed, with many on social media criticising the censorship — and asserting that it was a warning of what was to come with 007 now in the hands of Amazon.
Brit actor Rufus Jones (“Rivals,” “W1A”) joked that the posters looked as if the newly gunless Bond was now making a rude gesture.
Following James Bond Day on Oct. 5 and growing online backlash, Prime Video U.K. has now — stealthily, much like the super spy himself — removed the controversial artworks altogether and replaced them with stills from each film. However, it has been noted online that none of the stills feature Bond carrying his gun. Prime Video refused to comment on the matter.
For many 007 fans who commented online, the artwork situation may have been a troubling look to the future of James Bond, especially with a new film being readied and Denis Villeneuve in the director’s chair. However, the controversy may simply have been a result of a rogue agent in the compliance department.
