Helen Mirren is a proud feminist, but the iconic actress isn't budging when it comes to James Bond. The 80-year-old Golden Globe winner is not open to any kind of debate about whether or not a woman can step into the famous Bond tuxedo.
© GettyMirren plays a retired spy in her upcoming, The Thursday Murder Club, which she called a "manifestation of a reality" when it comes to a realistic portrayal of women in that world. "But not so much fun as Bond!" she added.
The Barbie star went on to make her Bond stance clear, "I'm such a feminist, but James Bond has to be a guy," she said. "You can’t have a woman. It just doesn't work." It was revealed in 2024 that 60 years prior, movie executives were considering casting a woman to play the part of Bond.
Pierce Brosnan's opinion
© GettyPierce Brosnan, who played 007 himself in the ’90s, is Mirren's costar in the film, and once had an opposing viewpoint. In 2019, he endorsed the idea of 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 at the time.
But speaking to Saga, he said he's ready to "see the next man come on the stage and to see a whole new exuberance and life for this character."
© Getty Images“I adore the world of James Bond. It’s been very good to me. It’s the gift that keeps giving. And I’m just a member of the audience now, sitting back, saying: ‘Show us what you’re going to do,'" he continued.
Who will be the next Bond?
© Greg WilliamsRumors have been swirling since Daniel Craig retired in 2021 about who will take over the role. Amazon acquired the rights to the Bond franchise in February, and there have been rumors about what they're looking for.
© WWDVariety had reported they wanted an actor in their 20s with names like Jacob Elordi, Tom Holland, and Harris Dickinson making the rounds.
However, the Hollywood Reporter reported that Scott Rose-Marsh auditioned back in June, and the actor is 37. So, everything remains up in the air. Other names that people are talking about are Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Callum Turner, Theo James, Henry Cavill, Regé-Jean Page, and Paul Mezcal.
While we don't know who the next Bond will be, we do know Denis Villeneuve is set to direct, and Steven Knight is writing the script.
