John Rhys-Davies has given his opinion on the possibility of a female James Bond being cast. The renowned British actor, famous for his roles in the Indiana Jones franchise and The Lord of the Rings trilogy, also appeared in The Living Daylights in 1987 as General Leonid Pushkin, an ally of Timothy Dalton's James Bond. With Daniel Craig's portrayal of the iconic MI6 agent coming to an end in No Time to Die in 2021, there has been much speculation about the next actor to take on the role, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Henry Cavill being popular choices.
Following Jodie Comer's emergence as a potential candidate, Rhys-Davies has expressed his thoughts on a woman assuming the role of the MI6 super-spy in James Bond 26. In an interview with The Daily Express, the former franchise star believes that audiences are not yet ready for a female James Bond since the essence of Bond is intrinsically male and chauvinistic. However, Rhys-Davies believes that as times change, a Jane Bond could be a significant step forward for the franchise. Read his comments below:
I believe Bond's character evolves alongside the changing times. However, I don't think we are currently prepared for a female James Bond. The essence of Bond is inherently masculine and rooted in traditional gender roles. While there undoubtedly exist formidable female agents, we still require a Bond figure. These are perilous times, and I sincerely hope that both MI5 and MI6 are adequately equipped to handle the challenges that lie ahead.
Could A Female James Bond Happen Soon?
Despite Jodie Comer's recent surprise appearance in the James Bond casting odds, the likelihood of a female actor being cast as a gender-swapped version of the suave super-spy in Bond 26 remains low. Barbara Broccoli, the powerful producer of the film franchise, has consistently dismissed the idea of a gender switch for 007. In one interview, she boldly declared, "I firmly believe that a woman should not portray James Bond," but also emphasized the importance of improving the representation of female characters within the franchise.
Since its inception in 1962, the James Bond franchise has served as a mirror to the prevailing cultural atmosphere, according to Rhys-Davies. While progress has been made in terms of female representation within the franchise, Barbara Broccoli's stance on casting a female James Bond may be a remnant of the historically male-dominated and chauvinistic era that Rhys-Davies describes. Although Barbara Broccoli asserts that the next James Bond will still be male, it is expected that her perspective will evolve to align with the evolving cultural landscape, as audiences grow increasingly accepting of a female 007.
