Amazon Prime Video has sparked controversy after digitally removing guns from promotional artwork for classic James Bond films, leading to widespread criticism from fans and a swift reversal of the decision.

The streaming giant altered key art for several iconic 007 films, awkwardly editing out or cropping the legendary spy’s signature Walther PPK pistol from promotional images. The changes were first reported by MI6, the world’s most-visited unofficial James Bond fan site, and quickly drew attention across social media platforms[1].

Films Affected by the Digital Alterations

The modifications impacted promotional artwork for multiple entries in the franchise, including Dr. No (1962), A View to a Kill, GoldenEye, and Spectre. In some cases, the images were cropped to exclude the weapon entirely, while in others, digital editing tools were employed to remove the gun from Bond’s hand, resulting in noticeably unnatural-looking artwork[1].

The timing of these changes proved particularly controversial, as they were discovered around James Bond Day on October 5th—an annual celebration commemorating the UK release of the first Bond film, Dr. No, in 1962[1].

Social Media Erupts Over Censorship

The decision to remove firearms from one of cinema’s most iconic gun-wielding characters quickly became a trending topic on social media. Users on X (formerly Twitter) expressed disbelief and frustration at the alterations, with many questioning Amazon’s stewardship of the franchise. Some users responded with humorous edits, photoshopping alternative items into Bond’s hands in place of his weapon[1].

The backlash highlighted a fundamental tension between content moderation policies and preserving the artistic integrity of classic films. James Bond’s relationship with firearms is intrinsic to the character’s identity—removing them strikes at the core of what makes the spy thriller franchise distinctive.

Amazon’s Response

Following the wave of criticism, Amazon moved to address the controversy by replacing the altered artwork. Multiple entertainment industry publications, including Variety and Deadline, reported on both the original changes and Amazon’s subsequent decision to restore more accurate representations of the films[1].

The incident raises questions about content presentation standards on streaming platforms and how companies balance contemporary sensitivities with historical artistic expression. For a franchise built around espionage and action, removing its most recognizable props proved to be a step too far for devoted fans.

This controversy marks another stumble for Amazon in its handling of classic film properties on Prime Video, following previous incidents involving AI-generated thumbnails for other titles. As streaming platforms increasingly control how audiences discover and access beloved films, these decisions about presentation and preservation take on greater significance for cinema history and fan communities.

Sources

[1] https://gigazine.net/news/20251013-amazon-remove-guns-from-james-bond-film/

[2] https://www.theverge.com/news/798712/amazon-awkwardly-edited-the-guns-out-of-james-bond-art

https://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/articles/amazon-prime-2025-remove-guns-from-james-bond-key-art

https://variety.com/2025/film/global/amazon-removed-guns-james-bond-art-backlash-1236540926/

https://deadline.com/2025/10/amazon-prime-video-removes-gunless-james-bond-artwork-1236570911/

Photo by DavidClode on Pixabay