Helen Mirren is never one to shy away from speaking her mind, and when it comes to the James Bond franchise, she has some strong opinions.
Despite admiring the actors who have played the iconic spy, the 79-year-old Oscar-winning actress made it clear that she has never been a fan of the series itself.
Bond’s Sexism Doesn’t Sit Well with Mirren
In a recent interview with The Standard, Mirren was candid about her feelings toward the long-running franchise.
“I have to say, I was never really a big fan of James Bond,” she admitted.
“I love Pierce Brosnan—he’s one of the kindest, most wonderful people to work with.
And Daniel Craig, who I’ve met a few times, is also a truly lovely and gracious person.”
But while she respects the men who have donned the 007 tuxedo, Mirren has no love for the series itself. “The whole Bond universe was never my thing.
I never liked James Bond. I never liked the way women were portrayed in those films,” she said bluntly.
Opposed to a Female 007
Though the conversation around a female James Bond has gained traction in recent years, Mirren is firmly against the idea.
“The whole concept of James Bond is rooted in deep-seated sexism,” she argued. “Turning him into a woman doesn’t fix that.”
Instead, Mirren believes that the real-life stories of female spies deserve to be told.
“Women have always played a major and incredibly important role in the world of espionage.
Just look at the women in the French Resistance—unbelievably courageous and brilliant.
Those are the stories that should be highlighted.”
Concerns Over Amazon’s Takeover of 007
Mirren’s remarks come amid growing concerns from fans about Amazon’s recent acquisition of MGM Studios, which gives the tech giant control over the James Bond franchise.
Many longtime Bond enthusiasts fear that the studio’s new direction could dilute the legacy of 007 with unnecessary spin-offs and commercialized content.
With Amazon now having a say in the future of Bond films, Reddit users have voiced their dismay. “It’s the end of an era for Bond fans,” one user wrote.
“Amazon is going to mass-produce content just to push Prime subscriptions.”
Another added, “RIP James Bond. This is just like what Disney did to Star Wars.”
Who Will Be the Next Bond?
Amid all the controversy, speculation continues over who will be the next actor to take up the mantle of 007.
While no official announcement has been made, Aaron Taylor-Johnson is rumored to be the frontrunner.
Other names frequently mentioned include Henry Cavill, Idris Elba, and Regé-Jean Page.
Whether or not Amazon’s involvement will change the direction of the franchise remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Helen Mirren won’t be lining up for the next Bond movie anytime soon.