By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-12-14 23:53:17 | Updated at 2024-12-15 02:57:38
3 hours ago
Former Bond girl Gemma Arterton has weighed in on the notion of a female 007 saying that fans 'would find it too outrageous'.
Following Daniel Craig's final appearance as James Bond in 2021's 'No Time to Die', the franchise's producers have been looking for their new secret agent.
British actor Aaron-Taylor Johnson is considered the favourite to play the next 007, but names such Jodie Comer and Emilia Clarke previously emerged as contenders to become the first female Bond.
However, Arterton who played Strawberry Fields in the 2008 Bond film 'Quantum of Solace' alongside Craig believes the notion of a female Bond might not align with the franchise's tradition.
'Isn’t a female James Bond like Mary Poppins being played by a man?,' she told the Times.
'They talk about it, but I think people would find it too outrageous. Sometimes you just have to respect the tradition.
'I don’t regret doing a Bond film, but I am perplexed why it has followed me around. I was only in the film for five minutes.'
Arterton has previously sparked outrage after claiming that she 'sometimes worries that the word feminist excludes men'.
Gemma Arterton who played Strawberry Fields in the 2008 Bond film 'Quantum of Solace' alongside Daniel Craig believes the notion of a female Bond might not align with the franchise's tradition
'Isn’t a female James Bond like Mary Poppins being played by a man?,' she told the Times. Pictured: Arterton playing former Bond girl Strawberry Fields
British actor Aaron-Taylor Johnson (pictured) is considered the favourite to play the next 007
The actress, 38, angered Woman's Hour listeners after her appearance in September telling host Nuala McGovern about the film industry since the #MeToo movement, and how there has been 'a sea change' for the better since 2018.
However, some felt 'disappointed' by what they felt was the star suggesting we 'change language to make men feel more comfortable'.
In a clip of the show shared on Instagram, Gemma told the show: 'Sometimes I worry that the word feminist excludes men.
'And I understand why it had to be that way because we needed to kind of fix our bit and empower ourselves.
'But now what I think it needs to be is about balance and equality and inclusivity.'
She added that while she doesn't see the word feminist as a 'negative', she feels for some 'it can feel like a kind of angry word or a divisive word'.
'I know there is a kind of negative connotation to it for some people,' Gemma continued.
She also told Nuala that she's seen a change in the industry when it comes to women - after starting to professionally work in 2007.
Arterton has previously sparked outrage after claiming that she 'sometimes worries that the word feminist excludes men'
'The difference, in not only more women working in all sectors but also just the way all women are portrayed on screen and all of that, it's changed so much,' Gemma said.
Bind film producers previously toyed with the idea of a female James Bond before casting Sean Connery, according to the biography Ian Fleming: The Complete Man.
Russian-American film director Gregory Ratoff pushed the idea after buying the rights to 1967 Casino Royale for around £50,000, and even considered casting US starlet Susan Hayward as the British spy, it is claimed.
The biography details how producers believed casting a woman to play 007 might give the film greater appeal.
However, Bond author Fleming was apparently opposed to the idea - and eventually Connery was hired for the role.
The role of the main Bond villain is also one of the franchises' most iconic, and yet it has never been filled by a female character in over 60 years. Rami Malek last took on the role in 2021's No Time to Die as Lyutsifer Safin.
Saoirse Ronan has spoken about becoming the first female Bond villian, with the four-time Oscar nominee, who flourished in her role as Jo March in Little Women, telling The Talks: 'I would love to do an action film next! I want to play a Bond villain.'
It was not the first time she expressed her 007 ambitions, as when speaking to The Sun, she said: 'I've always said that I want to play a Bond villain. I'd really love to do that. I'm serious, I would. If anyone knows Barbara Broccoli, please tell her.'
Sean Connery (pictured) as Bond in Dr.No which was released in 1962 and directed by Terence Young
The role of the main Bond villain has never been filled by a female character in over 60 years. Rami Malek last took on the role in 2021's No Time to Die as Lyutsifer Safin
Last year, producer Barbara Broccoli - who with half-brother Michael G. Wilson has controlled the James Bond franchise since 1995 - teased a 'long road ahead' for casting.
There are often sizable gaps between different Bond eras, including the six year gap between Timothy Dalton's last 007 film, 1989's License to Kill and Pierce Brosnan's first film, 1995's Goldeneye.
There was also a four-year gap between Brosnan's fourth and final film - 2002's Die Another Day and Craig's first, Casino Royale.
It was reported back in March that Johnson had been 'formally offered the opportunity to play James Bond'.
The actor, 33, is yet to officially accept the role, but should he do so he will become only the seventh actor to play the iconic British secret agent since the franchise launched in 1962.
A source told The Sun: 'Bond is Aaron’s job, should he wish to accept it. The formal offer is on the table and they are waiting to hear back.
Responding to the rumours that he could step into Bond's shoes at the time, Aaron played coy, telling Numero: 'I find it charming and wonderful that people see me in that role. I take it as a great compliment.'
