Helen Mirren Says James Bond Franchise Is “Born Out Of Profound Sexism”

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Helen Mirren will join her former co-star Pierce Brosnan in Guy Ritchie’s upcoming ‘MobLand,’ and has a few words about the James Bond franchise, in which Brosnan helmed the title role in four films from 1995 to 2002.

Mirren mentioned she’s a “huge fan of Pierce Brosnan” but says the James Bond franchise is “not [her] thing” because of its portrayal of women.

“I mean, oh my god. Obviously, he’s gorgeous and everything, and I think he’s fabulous in MobLand, but he also happens to be one of the nicest people you’ll ever have the pleasure to work with. And indeed Daniel Craig, who I’ve met and know a little bit. Again, a very lovely gracious person,” Mirren said to the The Standard in a recent interview. “The whole series of James Bond, it was not my thing. It really wasn’t. I never liked James Bond. I never liked the way women were in James Bond.”

Because of the sexism that has trickled down since the first Bond film, the actress spoke about her disregard of a female actor taking up the mantle as 007, and prefers stories of women from history who actually occupied spy roles.

“The whole concept of James Bond is drenched and born out of profound sexism,” Mirren said. “Women have always been a major and incredibly important part of the Secret Service, they always have been. And very brave. If you hear about what women did in the French Resistance, they’re amazingly, unbelievably courageous. So I would tell real stories about extraordinary women who’ve worked in that world.”

The James Bond franchise has recently fell into creative control by Amazon MGM Studios (formerly Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson). Amy Pascal and David Heyman will board the next Bond film as producers, while the next actor to fill the shoes of 007 is up in the air.


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