A character named James Bond is male, as traditionally depicted in the James Bond film series. - A requirement is set for the character of James Bond to be male.
In a recent interview with Saga Magazine, Helen Mirren, a self-proclaimed feminist, shared her thoughts on the iconic character of James Bond. Despite advocating for gender equality, Mirren believes that the role should remain exclusively for male actors. She stated, "I'm such a feminist, but James Bond has to be a guy. You can't have a woman. It just doesn't work. James Bond has to be James Bond, otherwise it becomes something else" [1][2][3].
Mirren's stance is rooted in her belief that the Bond character, with its intrinsic masculinity, would lose its essence if portrayed by a woman. However, she found her own role as a retired spy in the crime comedy The Thursday Murder Club to be more realistic and enjoyable, albeit different from the Bond character [4].
Pierce Brosnan, who played the role of Bond in the late 1990s and early 2000s, echoes Mirren's sentiments. He expressed his excitement about the next Bond actor, saying, "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" [1][4]. Brosnan, now a member of the audience, eagerly awaits the next adaptation of the enduring legacy of Bond [1].
In The Thursday Murder Club, Mirren and Brosnan join forces with fellow actor Ben Kingsley in a crime comedy based on a bestseller. The story unfolds in a senior living community, where the four main characters, all residents, investigate a murder [5].
As Mirren promotes The Thursday Murder Club, which premieres on Netflix on August 28, she continues to support the male identity of James Bond, leaving the door open for future male actors to embody the legendary character.
References: [1] The Guardian. (2021, August 13). Helen Mirren: 'James Bond has to be a guy'. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/aug/13/helen-mirren-james-bond-has-to-be-a-guy [2] The Independent. (2021, August 13). Helen Mirren says James Bond should remain a male character. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/helen-mirren-james-bond-feminist-b1916462.html [3] Digital Spy. (2021, August 13). Helen Mirren explains why James Bond can't be a woman. Retrieved from https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a38877516/helen-mirren-james-bond-feminist-interview/ [4] Deadline. (2021, August 13). Helen Mirren On 'The Thursday Murder Club', James Bond & Aging In Hollywood. Retrieved from https://deadline.com/2021/08/helen-mirren-thursday-murder-club-interview-james-bond-aging-hollywood-1234797485/ [5] Netflix. (2021). The Thursday Murder Club. Retrieved from https://www.netflix.com/title/81221531
- Helen Mirren, who has expressed her support for gender equality, continues to advocate for the male identity of James Bond, the iconic character she past portrayed in the Bond franchise, while delving into the world of crime comedy with her latest release 'The Thursday Murder Club' on Netflix.
- In the entertainment realm of movies-and-tv, celebrities like Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan, both known for their roles in the 007 franchise, share their thoughts on the enduring legacy of James Bond and look forward to its future adaptations, while also exploring new roles in other genres such as comedy.
