Helen Mirren Says James Bond Shouldn't Be Played By a Woman

Another day, another piece of James Bond discourse. With a new movie kind of on the horizon, it feels like actors are being asked more frequently about the franchise’s future. Step forward Helen Mirren, who is promoting The Thursday Murder Club alongside a former 007, Pierce Brosnan. Based on the bestselling novel by Richard Osman, the film is premiering on Netflix this month and follows a group of pensioners in a retirement community who solve cold cases.

Mirren and Brosnan were interviewed for Saga Magazine (via the BBC), and of course, the topic of Bond came up. Mirren’s been asked about it before, particularly on the topic of whether or not the title role could ever be played by a woman. She said ‘no’ because the concept of James Bond was ‘born out of profound sexism’, which is true. When asked again by Saga, she said, ‘You can’t have a woman. It just doesn’t work. James Bond has to be James Bond, otherwise it becomes something else.’ Brosnan agreed, adding that he believed a male actor should continue to play Bond but that he was excited to see ‘a whole new exuberance and life for this character.’

For what it’s worth, I’m with Mirren on this. Aren’t we all kind of tired of seeing women get the cast-offs and reboots when there are way more intriguing opportunities out there for performers? Let’s see more ass-kickers without an IP attached. Where is our generation’s Michelle Yeoh? Hell, where is our generation’s Michelle Yeoh action flick? I know we’re not flinging her off of moving trains anymore, but surely we can see her beat up a few more goons?

I feel like Bond is meant to be this figure of macho control who represents a dying way of life with the British Empire. There’s a pathos to this character that is often ignored by directors and writers. I think the Daniel Craig era got close to fully interrogating what it’s like for Bond to realize he’s a dinosaur whose life as a cog in the imperialist machine has left him bitter. But even then, he’s still cool as hell and saves the day. This is the dichotomy of Bond: you could make him more layered and reflective, but then it’s harder to sell Aston Martins and make him heroic in the process. I don’t imagine Amazon will let Denis Villeneuve make Bond all that complex. Jeff Bezos will probably use him to advertise his rockets or some crap like that.

For anyone who is interested, the current odds on the next James Bond still have Aaron Taylor-Johnson in the top spot, but the top five also include Henry Cavill, Callum Turner, Theo James, and Jack Lowden. My choices: Dev Patel or Jamie Bell. Please not Tom Holland.