Iconic actress tells 'James Bond' star to his face: 'James Bond has to be a guy'
Progressive writers should stay away from the "James Bond" series, according to one of the industry's most celebrated actresses.
For years, critics have wondered how long it would take for the iconic macho character to become a feminist version of himself or be portrayed by a woman entirely.
Even actor Pierce Brosnan, who portrayed the spy four times between 1995 and 2002, suggested the iconic character should be played by a female because he would find it "exhilarating."
"Get out of the way, guys, and put a woman up there," Brosnan said in September 2019.
Now, Brosnan's own co-star is telling him the beloved character cannot be played by a woman, ever.
'James Bond has to be James Bond; otherwise it becomes something else.'
During an interview for the upcoming film "The Thursday Murder Club," Brosnan was asked to reflect on what the Bond character means to him after all this time.
However, it was his recent co-star and revered actress Helen Mirren who stole the headlines and put her foot down on the character.
At 80, Mirren plays a retired spy in her new movie and was asked by outlet Saga if the female spy is a "better portrayal" of the world of espionage than 007 is.
"So many women have worked in that world. She's a manifestation of a reality, that's for sure," Mirren said, before dropping the hammer on the reporter. "More realistic. But not so much fun as Bond! I'm such a feminist, but James Bond has to be a guy. You can't have a woman. It just doesn't work."
Mirren added that if you turn Bond into a woman, the movie franchise would shift entirely.
RELATED: 'Left-wing lesbian atheists': Oasis singer mocks liberal comedian who said he stole her audience
Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan attend Netflix's 'The Thursday Murder Club' New York screening at the Plaza Hotel on August 14, 2025, in New York City. Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images
"James Bond has to be James Bond; otherwise it becomes something else," Mirren declared.
Brosnan, on the other hand, seemingly reversed his commentary from 2019 and stated he is "so excited to see the next man come on the stage."
"I adore the world of James Bond. It's been very good to me," the 72-year- old continued, explaining that he is just a member of the audience now. "It's the gift that keeps giving."
Despite Brosnan's apparent change in opinion, the Bond franchise creators have been much less forgiving to the media when it comes to what gender James Bond can be.
About five months after Brosnan's feminist comments, sentiments of a she-Bond were shut down by Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, relatives of the original spy movie producer, Albert R. Broccoli.
RELATED: WNBA coach turns funny moments into feminist lecture: 'This has been going on for centuries'
Eva Green, Daniel Craig, and Caterina Murino during 'Casino Royale' at Le Grand Rex theater in Paris, France. Photo by Toni Anne Barson/WireImage
"He can be of any color, but he is male," Barbara Broccoli told Variety in December 2019. "I believe we should be creating new characters for women — strong female characters. I'm not particularly interested in taking a male character and having a woman play it. I think women are far more interesting than that."
The series flirted with a change in 2021's "No Time to Die," actor Daniel Craig's last foray as the lead character. Actress Lashana Lynch became 007 in Bond's absence during the film, meaning technically 007 was a woman, but the character of James Bond was not.
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
Feminist influencer to white women: 'You can't CORRECT BIPOC individuals'
If you thought the “White Dudes for Kamala” Zoom call was bad, then you’re in for a real treat with its extra-cringeworthy counterpart: “White Women Answer the Call.”
Former public education teacher and feminist influencer Arielle Fodor led the charge, telling the other white women on the call that “BIPOC women have tapped us in as white women to listen and get involved in this election season.”
“You are all influencers in some way,” she continued in an extremely condescending baby voice that she’s built her entire brand on. “If you find yourself talking over, or speaking for BIPOC individuals, or — God forbid — correcting them, just take a beat and instead, we can put our listening ears on.”
Sara Gonzales of “Sara Gonzales Unfiltered” is horrified.
“I choose to believe that is exactly what hell is like,” she tells Stu Burguiere and Matthew Marsden, who can’t help but agree.
“Sin enough, we are in that Zoom call for all eternity,” Stu says, adding, “Is that really the rule though? You’re not allowed to correct a person because of the color of their skin now too?”
If there were a “White Dudes for Trump” or a “White Women for Trump” Zoom call, it would likely not be received as well by the left — which would be understandable.
“I tend to frown upon any organization that delineates itself by skin color. I feel like that’s bad in every circumstance,” Stu says. “We have really basic rules, like it’s an easy one to follow. Don’t make decisions based on skin color in any circumstance.”
Marsden believes one former president helped us get to this point. And that president was Barack Obama.
“I don’t think we’ve really completely understood all the damage that he’s done,” Marsden says. “The slippery slope was not just gay marriage, it was also his attitude towards race.”
Want more from Sara Gonzales?
To enjoy more of Sara's no-holds-barred take to news and culture, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.