Bond needs to stay classic

Naomie Harris shares hopes after $1bn Amazon takeover

- BY JANINE YAQOOB

MISS Moneypenny herself has urged Amazon bosses not to shake or stir up the James Bond franchise.

Naomie Harris, who played spy boss M's sassy secretary in the last three Bond movies, fears Amazon's $1 billion buyout could lead to the series becoming "too modern".

The 48-year-old said: "We all grew up with Bond and I think it needs those classic elements for people to connect with it."

Amazon's deal led to speculation about the direction the franchise could take.

Some fear it could be diluted or exploited, with the possibility of it becoming a TV series.

With Daniel Craig having finished his stint as 007 after 2021's No Time to Die, there has even been speculation the next Bond could be the first American actor to take the role.

But Naomie's pick is for Daniel, 57, to be replaced by British Bridgerton and Waterloo Road star Rege-Jean Page, 37.

She said: "I was just in Black Bag with Rege-Jean and he does wear a suit very well."

Naomie recalls she had to reinvent the character of Miss Moneypenny, who has appeared in all but two of the Bond movies.