Former Bond Girl Slams Idea Of Gender-Swapping 007

Former Bond girl Gemma Arterton slammed the idea of gender-swapping the next 007 character and said you “have to respect the tradition” of the famed role being played by a man.

Speaking to The Times, the 38-year-old actress and “Quantum of Solace” star agreed that “a female James Bond” would be the same as “Mary Poppins being played by a man,” calling the idea ridiculous. 

“They talk about it, but I think people would find it too outrageous,” Arterton said. “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.”

The comments were the latest against having a “female Bond” just in order to flip things around as Hollywood continues to do these days. “Skyfall” actress Ana de Armas previously said there’s no need to “steal someone else’s character,” as previously reported.

‘Qunatum Of Solace’ Star And Former Bond Girl Gemma Arterton Disagrees With Idea Of Gender-Swapping 007: “Isn’t A Female James Bond Like Mary Poppins Being Played By A Man?” https://t.co/9jCkqXTZd7

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During an interview with The Sun, the 36-year-old actress was asked about reports that the next installment in the James Bond franchise could feature a “non-binary” Bond, meaning a person who doesn’t consider themselves either male or female.

“There’s no need for a female Bond,” the “Knives Out” star shared. “There shouldn’t be any need to steal someone else’s character, you know, to take over.”

“This is a novel, and it leads into this James Bond world and this fantasy of that universe where he’s at,” she added.

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“What I would like is that the female roles in the Bond films, even though Bond will continue to be a man, are brought to life in a different way,” de Armas continued. “That they’re given a more substantial part and recognition. That’s what I think is more interesting than flipping things.”

De Armas played a new version of a “Bond girl” as the mysterious CIA agent Paloma across from Daniel Craig in 2021’s “No Time to Die.” The movie was Craig’s final outing as 007 after playing Bond in “Casino Royale,” “Quantum of Solace,” “Skyfall,” and “Spectre.”

During an interview in 2019, the producer and overseer of the Bond franchise, Barbara Broccoli, admitted that a future 007 could be “non-binary.” Broccoli discussed the replacement of Craig on the “Girls On Film” podcast.

“I think we should be making more films about women and create female characters,” the producer explained. “So, I think Bond will be a man.”

When the podcast host pressed further if the next Bond could be “non-binary, perhaps, maybe one day?” Broccoli replied, “Who knows? I mean, I think it’s open. We just have to find the right actor.”