Pierce Brosnan still holds dear his turn as 007 in the James Bond franchise and hopes that the property’s new owners treat it with “respect” and “dignity.”

Here’s a nice thought: what if the James Bond franchise, which Amazon reportedly just paid in the neighborhood of $1 billion for control of, was handled with care? This is what former 007 Pierce Brosnan is hoping for, as he expresses in a new interview with The Telegraph. And one way they can respect that character is to not make him American.

Former James Bond Pierce Brosnan says the next 007 must be British as Amazon MGM Studios take control over the historic franchise. Brosnan spoke to The Telegraph, saying that it’s “a given” that a British actor should take up the 007 mantle.