Veteran actress Helen Mirren has expressed her disapproval of the James Bond franchise, stating that the long-running spy series is deeply rooted in sexism. In a recent interview with The Standard, Mirren, 79, revealed that she has never been a fan of the films and does not believe that a woman should take on the role of the iconic MI6 agent.
Mirren acknowledged the talent and charisma of former Bond actors Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig but maintained that the portrayal of women in the franchise has always been problematic. She pointed out that women have played significant and courageous roles in real intelligence operations, such as those in the French Resistance, and suggested that these real-life stories would be more compelling than reinventing Bond with a female lead.
The actress is currently starring in MobLand, a crime drama about an Irish mafia family, where she plays a scheming mob wife opposite Brosnan. The series also features Tom Hardy and Paddy Considine.
Meanwhile, the future of James Bond remains uncertain following Amazon’s acquisition of the franchise. Several actors, including Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Theo James, and James Norton, are reportedly being considered for the role. Producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman are expected to oversee the next installment.
Brosnan, who portrayed Bond from 1995 to 2002, recently stated that the character should remain British, expressing hope that Amazon would respect the legacy of the films. Timothy Dalton, another former Bond, voiced concerns about the franchise’s direction under Amazon, calling it a loss for British cinema.
With No Time To Die marking Craig’s final appearance in 2021, the future of 007 remains a topic of speculation.
