Layla Bautista
Sipping on a martini, dressed in the most high-quality suits and accompanied by the most beautiful woman. James Bond films continuously feature a strong male agent, but what if a woman were to take his role as the leading lady?
With 27 films since 1961 and actors ranging from Pierce Brosnan and Sean Connery to the most recent Daniel Craig, Bond has captured the hearts around the world with a combination of charisma and masculinity.
The franchise began in the 1950s and was started by Ian Fleming after World War 2.
Fleming was inspired by the commandos of the Naval Intelligence Division, with Bond serving as a part of the United Kingdom’s national identity.
Despite several cast changes, one thing has always been constant- James Bond is a white man.
However, due to the progressive times we live in, many are asking the question: can women play the role of James Bond?
Women’s Role in James Bond Films
Historically, women featured in the James Bond film have only served as companions who exist to satisfy the male gaze. These women are also known as “Bond girls”.
Often clad in revealing dresses, bombshell makeup and sexually seductive personalities, the women act as side characters who are either the sacrificial lamb or the femme fatale.
Ultimately, people forget these women because they play only fleeting roles in James Bond’s life. They live and die solely to advance his character’s development.
Progressive films often fail
Since its first film, James Bond has been the hyper-masculine figure trying to save the world. He navigates high tech weapons and avoids poison whilst preventing the heightening of international relations.
However, there are now discussions on whether a woman would be able to not only play the character of ‘Jane Bond’ but also live up to its elegant and high status symbolism of the United Kingdom.
Despite the good faith act to change the gender of James Bond, many people see it as a form of forced inclusivity.
“There have also been several prominent Hollywood figures who object to the idea of race and gender swapping”
The argument includes the notion that changing the gender or even race of an already established character leads to poor ratings.
People often feel that creators are forcing diversity onto the audience.
However, the real solution to diversifying films is to create original films that include a diverse cast and characters.
This concept has been very prominent in franchise movies such as Star Wars, Disney Princess movies, and even the Classic Shakespearean theatre show Romeo and Juliet.
Even if you don’t believe that race or gender swapping is a big deal, it does lead to people having prejudiced ideas of the film as well as the cast member receiving hate and abuse on social media.
“I love that there’s a lot more female leads nowadays. I think that’s so special. But we should have our own”
A prime example of this prejudice includes Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, who played Juliet alongside Tom Holland in the Jamie Lloyd Company theatre production of Romeo and Juliet.
Rivers received an outpour of bullying, racial abuse and even death threats, which led to her withdrawing from the role. “The flurry of abuse was sustained throughout the whole job. I received death threats, hate mail sent to the theatre. I didn’t feel safe at work.”
What other Hollywood celebrities believe about gender roles
There have also been several prominent Hollywood figures who object to the idea of race and gender swapping.
One of them is Wednesday star Jenna Ortega, who rejects the practice of gender swapping established characters. “I love that there’s a lot more female leads nowadays. I think that’s so special. But we should have our own. I don’t like it when it’s like a spinoff — I don’t want to see like ‘Jamie Bond.’ TYou know? I want to see another badass.”
“Bond franchise producer Barbara Broccoli has refused to break tradition and cast a female lead”
Another outspoken voice is actor Tracy-Ann Oberman, who wrote an article on The iPaper. “I agree… that James Bond shouldn’t be recast as a woman. You need the logic of concept, the character, setting and play itself to dovetail seamlessly together – and it doesn’t in this case.”
Many believe that James Bond’s identity as a man is crucial to his character and that casting a woman would fundamentally change his entire typecast.
So, can women play the role of James Bond?
Although Amazon has taken control and the creative direction of the British franchise, Bond franchise producer Barbara Broccoli has refused to break tradition and cast a female lead.
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Featured image courtesy of Matthew Wiebe on Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image licence found here.
