Brian Cox says we shouldn’t change James Bond because we don’t mess with Shakespeare

Brian Cox believes James Bond shouldn't be messed with to suit a modern audience.

It was revealed earlier year that some of the 007 books by author Ian Fleming were getting disclaimers put into them.

The Telegraph reported that Fleming’s work was set to be republished in April to mark 70 years since Casino Royale, the first book in the series, was released.

Ian Fleming Publications Ltd commissioned a review by sensitivity readers to see whether certain words or phrases should be removed.

BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images

Each book will now come with a disclaimer: “This book was written at a time when terms and attitudes which might be considered offensive by modern readers were commonplace.

“A number of updates have been made in this edition, while keeping as close as possible to the original text and the period in which it is set.

The changes have led racist language to be removed throughout the novels.

The series, which was published between 1953 to 1966, used the N-word in certain sections, however that has now been replaced with the word ‘Black’.

The mention of ethnicity for many side characters has also been removed from the novels.

Ian Fleming Publications said in a statement, as per The Telegraph: “We at Ian Fleming Publications reviewed the text of the original Bond books and decided our best course of action was to follow Ian’s lead.

"We have made changes to Live and Let Die that he himself authorised.

“Following Ian’s approach, we looked at the instances of several racial terms across the books and removed a number of individual words or else swapped them for terms that are more accepted today but in keeping with the period in which the books were written."

Succession star Brian Cox, who played the intimidating Logan Roy, has been cast as The Controller in 007: Road to a Million.

It's a reality TV show where teams of two race around the world and answer questions for their shot at a big cash prize.

He was asked by the Radio Times about the James Bond books and movies and whether they need to be adapted or changed.

Cox said while a disclaimer is fine, he added: "We don't muck around with Shakespeare; we shouldn't muck around with James Bond."

The legendary actor said seeing or hearing problematic things in older films, books or TV shows helps us 'understand who we are' because it's 'acknowledging our history'.

Topics: James Bond

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Senior Journalist at LADbible. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign. He is in charge of the LADbible Australia editorial content and social presence.

@stewartperrie