- Mirren says she was “never a great ward” of James Bond
- The actress says the franchise is “born out of profound sexism”
- She believes in telling original stories with women at the center instead
Helen Mirren has said she doesn’t believe in the idea of a female James Bond.
The role of 007 is still anyone’s for the taking since Daniel Craig left the franchise – almost anyone’s anyway. Amid the debate over the idea of a female James Bond, Mirren has revealed where she stands.
Read more: It’s good we won’t have a female James Bond
In a recent interview, the actress said that she wasn’t much of a James Bond fan, partly because of the franchise’s long-held sexism.
“I have to say I was never a great ward [of Bond],” Mirren told the Standard. “I’m a huge fan of Pierce Brosnan, I mean massive fan. I mean, oh my God. Obviously, he’s gorgeous and everything, and I think he’s fabulous in MobLand, but he also happens to be one of the nicest people you’ll ever have the pleasure to work with. And indeed Daniel Craig, who I’ve met and know a little bit, again – a very lovely, gracious person.”
Later, she added: “The whole series of James Bond, it was not my thing. It really wasn’t. I never liked James Bond. I never liked the way women were in James Bond.”
“I would tell real stories about extraordinary women”
Rather than having a female James Bond, Mirren argued, the entertainment world should focus on telling original stories following the lives of extraordinary women.
Read more: Here are the James Bond movies in order
“The whole concept of James Bond is drenched and born out of profound sexism,” she said. “Women have always been a major and incredibly important part of the Secret Service, they always have been. And very brave. If you hear about what women did in the French Resistance, they’re amazingly, unbelievably courageous. So I would tell real stories about extraordinary women who’ve worked in that world.”
Could there be a female James Bond?
It doesn’t seem like it. Earlier this month, the Daily Mail reported that an internal memo circulating at Amazon confirmed that “the spy will not change gender or nationality.”
Read more: Bond 26: everything we know about next James Bond
A quote from an insider said: “There have been so many erroneous rumours about the future of Bond. Amazon is committed to keeping the spirit of Bond alive and that means he has to be British or from the Commonwealth – and he has to be male.”
Some of the potential frontrunners to take on the role include Theo James, Aaron-Taylor Johnson, Jack Lowden, Lucien Laviscount and James Norton. Other fans are hoping to see Regé-Jean Page or Sam Heughan take the role.
The new film will mark the first entry since the Broccoli family handed over creative control to Amazon MGM Studios.
“With my 007 career spanning nearly 60 incredible years, I am stepping back from producing the James Bond films to focus on art and charitable projects,” said Michael G Wilson, who helmed the franchise with Barbara Broccoli. “Therefore, Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future.”
