Throughout the years, there has been intense speculation as to whether the James Bond franchise will get with the times and cast someone other than a dapper 40-something man in the title role. Alas, producers have not heeded requests for a female Bond. In a compromise of sorts, Lashana Lynch has been cast as a female rival to Bond, who will still be played by a man. Clearly, the 007 universe is very much stuck in its ways.
After all, this is a movie franchise that was hesitant to cast Daniel Craig as the eponymous action hero due to his blond hair and other physical characteristics (his looks were deemed "unattractive" in comparison to previous Bonds). Here's why James Bond will never be played by a woman.
8 The Sexist History Of James Bond
The many "Bond Girls" are testament to how the 007 universe perceives women. As numerous critics have argued, Bond Girls are mere play things for the male lead, seductive, bikini-clad, but never powerful in any real sense of the word. In his various James Bond flicks, Sean Connery frequently slapped women and generally treated them like toys as opposed to human beings (the actor himself openly admitted to hitting women IRL). The sexist component has always been central to the franchise even in this so-called "woke" era.
7 Ian Fleming Didn't Like Women
At the heart of the longstanding aversion to a female James Bond is the character's creator, Ian Fleming. According to the author's friend, Robert Harling, "Ian doesn’t really like women: I think he even resents them because of his sexual dependence on them. He resents the way they complicate his life."
This makes sense considering the overt machoism of the Bond movies, particularly the older ones. Essentially, to cast 007 as a woman would be a disservice to the sensibilities of Ian Fleming.
6 Women Are "More Interesting" Than Bond
Bond producer Barbara Broccoli emphatically told Variety that there will never be a female James Bond. Why? Because women are too interesting for that. "He can be of any color, but he is male," she explained. "I believe we should be creating new characters for women - strong female characters. I’m not particularly interested in taking a male character and having a woman play it. I think women are far more interesting than that."
5 Eva Green Says A Female Bond Messes With History
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Casino Royale star Eva Green said that a female Bond would mess with history.
"I’m for women, but I really think James Bond should remain a man," the actress stated. "It doesn’t make sense for him to be a woman. Women can play different types of characters, be in action movies and be superheroes, but James Bond should always be a man and not be Jane Bond. There is history with the character that should continue. He should be played by a man."
4 Some Claim It Would Be Tokenistic Casting
Some have argued that a female bond would be tokenistic, rather than empowering for women. CinemaBlend argued that "The character is heavily rooted in masculinity, and for a future version to be portrayed by a woman, it would cancel out the character’s long history. Women can certainly find their own place in the action or espionage genre without having to play the female version of something that’s already been made popular by male actors."
3 Treating Women With Respect Is More Important Than A Female Bond
Currently working on the script for the upcoming Bond flick, British actress and writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge told Deadline that it's more important that Bond films treat women with respect, as opposed to changing the entire character. "The important thing is that the film treats the women properly," she said. "Bond doesn’t have to. He needs to be true to his character."
2 But Some Say That Bond Movies Continue To Treat Women Terribly
Reflecting on her experience as a Bond Girl in Die Another Day, Rosamund Pike elucidated why a female Bond is unlikely to ever be on the cards.
"One thing about Bond is that, is that now I look back on it, I think, Gosh. I mean that was a world which was ripe for an incredible amount of sexism," Pike told Buzzfeed News, adding that she was asked to do a nude scene, which she declined. "I was sort of prepared in underwear and I could drop the dress, and something in me just thought, No, if you’re going to see me in my underwear you can give me the part,'" she said.
1 Despite Campaigns, The Producers Would Never Allow A Female Bond
Former 007 Pierce Brosnan has said that he backs a female Bond. “I think we've watched the guys do it for the last 40 years. Get out of the way, guys, and put a woman up there. I think it would be exhilarating, it would be exciting,” he told The Hollywood Reporter, but added that his wish would likely never come true under the helm of the production team. “I don’t think that’s going to happen with the Broccolis. I don’t think that’s going to happen under their watch."
