Helen Mirren Says James Bond Has to Be a Guy: 'A Woman Doesn't Work'

Helen Mirren may play a retired spy in her new movie “The Thursday Murder Club,” but insists that the next James Bond “has to be a guy.”

In a new interview with Saga Magazine alongside her “Thursday Murder Club” co-star and former Bond actor Pierce Brosnan, Mirren said her character Elizabeth is a “more realistic” portrayal of a spy.

“So many women have worked in that world. She’s a manifestation of a reality, that’s for sure,” Mirren noted. “But not so much fun as Bond!”.

The Oscar winner added, “I’m such a feminist, but James Bond has to be a guy. You can’t have a woman. It just doesn’t work. James Bond has to be James Bond, otherwise it becomes something else.”

Ever since Daniel Craig retired his version of Bond in 2021, rumors have been swirling about who will play the legendary spy next — and if it could potentially be a woman. 

Chatter intensified after Amazon took control of the Bond franchise in February, with insiders in June saying that Amazon is interested in casting a British actor under the age of 30. Jacob Elordi, Tom Holland, and Harris Dickinson are at the top of the wish list. 

“Dune” helmer Denis Villeneuve is on board to direct the new James Bond film, with “Peaky Blinders” creator Steven Knight penning the script.

Speaking to Saga, Brosnan said he has nothing but well wishes for the next person lucky enough to take on the 007 role. He said, “I’m so excited to see the next man come on the stage and to see a whole new exuberance and life for this character. I adore the world of James Bond. It’s been very good to me. It’s the gift that keeps giving, and I’m just a member of the audience now, sitting back, saying: ‘Show us what you’re going to do.’”