Mirren and Brosnan oppose female James Bond role

Dame Helen Mirren has said that James Bond should be played by a man, even though she is “a committed feminist,” according to the BBC, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

In a new interview for Saga Magazine, the Oscar-winning actress said: “It can’t be a woman. It doesn’t work. James Bond has to be James Bond, otherwise it becomes something else.”

Amazon MGM Studios will produce the next film in the spy saga, with Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight writing the script for the 26th installment.

The American production and distribution company has previously said it plans a “fresh” approach to the franchise while respecting the “legacy” of this “iconic character.”

Dame Helen, 80, currently stars alongside former James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan in the much-anticipated film adaptation The Thursday Murder Club, where she plays a retired spy.

Brosnan, 72, also told the magazine he believes a male actor should continue playing Bond and said he is excited to see “a new energy and life for this character.” He starred in four Bond films during his tenure as 007, starting with GoldenEye in 1995 and ending with Die Another Day in 2002.

Dame Helen has previously said that the concept of James Bond was “born from deep sexism” and that women have always been an “extremely important part” of the secret service.

The two actors are not the first to oppose the idea of a woman playing Bond.

Speaking at the Cannes Festival in May, actress Halle Berry, who also appeared in Die Another Day, said: “In 2025, it’s nice to say: ‘Oh, it should be a woman.’ But I’m not sure I think that’s the right thing.”

The James Bond series has been owned by the Broccoli family for over 60 years, but producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson sold creative control to Amazon for about $1 billion earlier this year.

Speculation about the actor who will play the lead role has been widespread, with British actors Aaron Taylor-Johnson and James Norton rumored as favorites.

Currently, there is no official release date for the new film.