Dame Helen Mirren has declared that James Bond cannot be played by a woman as she insisted the famous spy is ‘a bloke’.
The acting legend, 80, weighed in on the speculation that the next person to take on the coveted role could be female, after Amazon MGM Studios took ownership of the hit franchise.
Following Daniel Craig’s final appearance as 007 in 2021’s No Time to Die, producers have been looking for the next star to take up the mantle.
And while actors such as Aaron-Taylor Johnson, Theo James and Henry Cavill have emerged as the favourites to play the spy, actresses like Jodie Comer and Emilia Clarke have been mentioned as contenders to become the first female Bond.
However, Dame Helen has firmly rejected the idea, insisting switching the sex of the iconic secret agent ‘wouldn’t work’.
When asked whether it was time for a woman to take up the role, she was quoted by the Daily Star, as stating: ‘No, it wouldn’t work.’
Dame Helen Mirren has declared that James Bond cannot be played by a woman as she insisted the famous spy is ‘a bloke’ (pictured this week)
Following Daniel Craig ‘s final appearance as 007 in 2021’s No Time to Die (pictured), producers have been looking for the next star to take up the mantle.
And while actors such as Aaron-Taylor Johnson, Theo James and Henry Cavill have emerged as the favourites to play the spy, actresses like Jodie Comer (left) and Emilia Clarke (right) have been mentioned as contenders to become the first female Bond
She went on: ‘There have been some amazing women who’ve worked in the secret services with incredible courage, but James Bond is a bloke. There’s room for a great movie about a great female agent, but James Bond is James Bond.’
Producers have confirmed a new Bond film is in development under Amazon MGM Studios, which took control of the franchise following a £770 million deal announced earlier this year.
Helen joins multiple names who have spoken against the possibility of a lady Bond, including the franchise’s producer Barbara Broccoli and previously Bonds, Daniel Craig and Pierce Brosnan.
Daniel previously insisted that the iconic spy shouldn’t be played by a female actress because they deserve their own roles that haven’t been written for men.
In an interview with Radio Times in 2021, the actor stated: ‘There should simply be better parts for women and actors of colour.
‘Why should a woman play James Bond when there should be a part just as good as James Bond, but for a woman?’
Pierce has also shifted his position on the notion, after previously telling The Hollywood Reporter in 2019 that it was time to ‘put a woman up there’ and declaring a female Bond would be ‘exciting’ and ‘exhilarating’.
However, this year he made a sharp U-turn, telling Saga magazine: ‘Oh, I think it has to be a man.
Helen joins multiple names who have spoken against the possibility of a lady Bond, including the franchise’s producer Barbara Broccoli and previously Bonds, Daniel Craig and Pierce Brosnan (pictured in Die Another Day)
Daniel previously insisted that the iconic spy shouldn’t be played by a female actress because they deserve their own roles that haven’t been written for men (seen in Skyfall)
‘I’m so excited to see the next man come on the stage and to see a whole new exuberance and life for this character. I adore the world of James Bond.’
While Barbara has ruled out the possibility the amorous spy could ever be played by a woman, after previously declaring that ‘anything is possible’ when it came to the race and gender of future Bonds.
In 2018, she sang a different tune, insisting: ‘Bond is male. He’s a male character. He was written as a male and I think he’ll probably stay as a male. And that’s fine.
‘We don’t have to turn male characters into women. Let’s just create more female characters and make the story fit those female characters.’
Halle Berry, who famously played beloved Bond girl Jinx in 2002’s Die Another Day, has also opined that the British spy should only be played by a man.
In 2017, she told Entertainment Tonight: ‘That series is steeped in history… you know, Ian Fleming’s stories. I don’t think you can change Bond to a woman.’
Halle Berry, who famously played beloved Bond girl Jinx in 2002’s Die Another Day (pictured) has also opined that the British spy should only be played by a man
Fellow former Bond girl Gemma Arterton also weighed in on the notion of a female 007, declaring she felt it might not align with the franchise’s tradition (seen in Quantum of Solace)
And when asked whether she herself would be interested in being the first lady Bond at this year’s Cannes Film Festival jury press conference, she reiterated: ‘I don’t know if 007 should be a woman.’
Fellow former Bond girl Gemma Arterton also weighed in on the notion of a female 007, declaring she felt it might not align with the franchise’s tradition.
The actress, who played Strawberry Fields in 2008’s Quantum of Solace, told the Times last year: ‘Isn’t a female James Bond like Mary Poppins being played by a man?
‘They talk about it, but I think people would find it too outrageous. Sometimes you just have to respect the tradition.’
