Helen Mirren's Perspective on Bond
Speaking in her new interview, Dame Helen, 80, said James Bond must stay true to its roots, saying, "James Bond has to be James Bond; otherwise it becomes something else. She is now starring opposite former Bond star Pierce Brosnan in the film adaptation of The Thursday Murder Club, in which she plays a retired spy. Brosnan, who starred as the iconic leading man in four Bond movies from 1995's GoldenEye to 2002's Die Another Day, also shared her sentiments, telling the outlet he thinks that the character should remain with male actors but also saying he welcomes a new phase of energy around the franchise.
Debate Over Bond's Future
This positioning comes as Amazon MGM Studios gears up to release the 26th instalment in the spy series. Steven Knight, the creator of Peaky Blinders, wrote the upcoming movie. The studio assures a reboot to the series, but with due respect to its long-term tradition. Until recently, the series had been controlled by Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, but it was sold last year to Amazon, reportedly for $1 billion.
Other actors have weighed in on the debate, too. Halle Berry, who played a Bond girl in 2002's Die Another Day, said earlier this year that while the concept of a female version of the secret agent feels current, she didn't know if it was the appropriate direction for the role. A great deal of speculation has taken place online about who will step into the iconic role next, but British actors Aaron Taylor-Johnson and James Norton have repeatedly been tipped as the favourites. But a release date for the new film has not been announced yet.
