Helen Mirren has never been afraid to speak her mind. The Oscar-winning actress, who is known for playing strong female characters, recently shared her thoughts on the James Bond franchise. She revealed that she believes the films were “born out of profound sexism” and have long treated female characters poorly. Given her long career and personal connection to the Bond universe, her thoughts and opinions about the film carry weight.
Mirren also revealed that she has never been a fan of how the franchise portrays women. She did not hide the fact that she found the way women were presented in those films to be infuriating. Instead of the usual James Bond style, she wants something entirely different.
Why does Helen Mirren dislike the James Bond films?
This isn’t the first time Mirren has criticized Bond movies. In previous years, she said that the movies reduced women to mere eye candy. In her view, the franchise was built on outdated ideas that placed women in the background. Even as recent films introduced stronger female characters, she feels the core problem remains. “That was the way it was back then. The world has changed, but Bond has struggled to keep up,” she said.
Not surprisingly, the actress also rejects the idea of making James Bond a woman. Some fans argue that casting a female 007 would modernize the franchise, but Mirren disagrees. She shared that she does not think a female Bond is the right way to go: “We don’t need to take a male character and simply make him female,” she stated. Rather, she believes that we need original stories about the incredible female spies who actually existed: real women in espionage. Interestingly, Mirren has ties to James Bond. Her late cousin, Tania Mallet, played Tilly Masterson in Goldfinger (1964), one of the early Bond films.
What’s the future of the Bond franchise now?
Currently, all is not well in Bond’s land, and Mirren’s comments add to an ongoing debate about the future of the Bond franchise. Pierce Brosnan, who played 007 from 1995 to 2002, has also spoken about the topic. He believes the next Bond should be British.
As studios consider what’s next for Bond, fan opinions also remain divided. Some want a fresh view and perspective, while others prefer the old style. With actors and veterans sharing their thoughts about the next franchise, we keep our fingers crossed.