Former Bond Girl Gemma Arterton Speaks Against Female 007: ‘Respect The Tradition’

Last Updated:December 12, 2024, 18:29 IST

Gemma Arterton, who played Strawberry Fields in Quantum of Solace, compared the idea of a female James Bond by imagining a male Mary Poppins.

Since Daniel Craig’s performance as James Bond came to an end in 2021’s No Time To Die, there has been much speculation about who will take over the iconic role. Several Hollywood A-List stars have been rumoured to step into Bond’s shoes and discussions about a gay or female Bond have garnered mixed opinions. While these ideas have generated heated debate online, the Bond makers are yet to reveal their decision. Recently, Gemma Arterton, who played Strawberry Fields in Quantum of Solace opposite Craig, shared her thoughts on the idea. She believes that the traditional image of Bond should be preserved and compared the idea of a female Bond by imagining a male Mary Poppins.

In an interview with The Times, the actress said, “Isn’t a female James Bond like Mary Poppins being played by a man? 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.”

Although the idea of a female James Bond has sparked positive reactions from a handful of people, Barbara Broccoli, the producer in charge of casting for the iconic role, straightaway rejected the possibility of changing 007’s gender. However, Broccoli has left the door open for other changes and suggested that a woman might one day direct a film in the franchise.

Speaking with The Guardian, the producer said, “Bond is male. He’s a male character. He was written as a male and I think he’ll probably stay as a male. And that’s fine. We don’t have to turn male characters into women. Let’s just create more female characters and make the story fit those female characters.”

Barbara Broccoli further explained that James Bond was originally created in the 1950s, so there are some things about the character that may not change. She pointed out that the world has evolved since the character was first introduced and Bond has changed along with it. In the newer movies, especially those with Daniel Craig, women are shown in a different and more modern way.

After Daniel Craig stepped away from playing James Bond, many Hollywood stars have been rumoured to take the franchise forward, including Jacob Elordi, Idris Elba, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Callum Turner, Rege-Jean Page, Henry Cavill, Tom Hardy and James Norton.