Craig says Bond could be played by a woman...

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  • edited June 2019 Posts: 1,661
    This is why actors are hired to act. Thinking is not their forte. I'd stick to acting, Daniel, and leave the thinking part to others. :D

    Barbara Broccoli made it clear James Bond will remain a man. I know Babs loves Daniel but she's not going to go with his 'suggestion'.
    James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli has ruled out a gender swap to the character of the suave British spy, saying the part will always be played a male actor. British star Daniel Craig is preparing to leave the iconic role after the upcoming 25th movie in the series. Many, including Priyanka Chopra, have called for a woman to play the character.

    "I always feel that Bond is a male character, that is just a fact. We have to make movies about women and women's stories but we have to create female characters and not just for a gimmick turn a male character into a woman," Broccoli told Good Morning Britain during Bond 25's launch event in Jamaica.

  • Posts: 1,092
    These times... they are a' changin'!
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    And if they ever do a biopic about Craig, why not give that role to a woman as well?
  • DeerAtTheGatesDeerAtTheGates Belgium
    Posts: 524
    Oh, come on! Do we really need a whole topic for something Craig has said to just play nice to the journalists for once?

    Geez, when he speaks from his heart we get the quote repeated for 5+ years, when he tells the press what they want to hear it's not good either...

    Can't we just let it slide? Or if we really need to discuss it, here or here would be perfectly fine too, in my opinion.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    edited June 2019 Posts: 17,727
    I'd like to think that Craig was being overly diplomatic there and not wanting to potentially offend either the interviewer or the seemingly forever offended "snowflake generation" who might be watching the (ultimately rather disappointing) Bond 25 launch event. It's also not his decision to make, but more that of the producers and any future writers, so it's a bit of a non-question in that regard. I'd prefer it though if he just told it like it is: "It's a really bad idea and it's never going to happen!"

    Like he said, there should always be good roles for women or black actors or whoever to play and go on to define. There's no real need at all for them to be crowbarred into existing franchises with long established male and white characters.

    The truth of the matter is there already is a very long established female "James Bond" with a history in novels and comic strips and even some film adaptations and her name is Modesty Blaise, created by Peter O'Donnell. I suggest those interested go and make films about her instead (there's certainly plenty of subject matter awaiting) and leave Bond as he is and always should be.
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,328
    No man is an island. =))
  • CraigMooreOHMSSCraigMooreOHMSS Dublin, Ireland
    Posts: 8,009
    The key thing here is that Craig was asked if Bond could be a woman. He didn't just blurt it out as his own opinion.

    When people get asked these kinds of questions, most of the time they will give an answer that doesn't cause a row.

    Thankfully, for us, the only word that matters is Barbara's at the moment. And she doesn't possess that chip.
  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    Posts: 12,914
    Where a female actor intends to portray the Bond character as a man I'm good with it.

    She can compete with any actor pursuing the male role.
  • M16_CartM16_Cart Craig fanboy?
    Posts: 538
    fanbond123 wrote: »
    This is why actors are hired to act. Thinking is not their forte. I'd stick to acting, Daniel, and leave the thinking part to others. :D

    10/10 on the smarmy and smug scale
  • DenbighDenbigh UK
    edited September 2019 Posts: 5,834
    People are allowed an opinion, whether you agree with it or not, even actors
  • ThunderballThunderball playing Chemin de Fer in a casino, downing Vespers
    Posts: 776
    The character of James Bond as created by Ian Fleming cannot be played by a woman.

    A new female character in the vein of James Bond (please don’t name her Jane Bond) would be fine. Great, even. Past due.

    /thread.
  • Posts: 1,181
    If Craig stated the opposite, the headline would read "Chauvinist Craig Says Women Can't Play Bond!"

    It's a no win situation for him, a dumb topic of discussion. The character of James Bond is male. No, women indeed cannot play the role.
  • MakeshiftPythonMakeshiftPython “Baja?!”
    Posts: 8,000
    With now three Bond actors having expressed this sentiment, at least Barbara Broccoli shot that idea down, and no one can accuse her of being a misogynist.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    edited September 2019 Posts: 14,861
    The key thing here is that Craig was asked if Bond could be a woman. He didn't just blurt it out as his own opinion.

    When people get asked these kinds of questions, most of the time they will give an answer that doesn't cause a row.

    Thankfully, for us, the only word that matters is Barbara's at the moment. And she doesn't possess that chip.

    Indeed, and after the ‘wrist slash’ thing you can bet he’s spent several weeks in a cellar sat on a chair with the bottom cut out while an Eon PR person drilled into him the idea of not ever saying anything controversial again; this would be the result.

    Plus if you read his quote he doesn’t actually say Bond should be a woman, he says ‘everybody should be considered ‘ for the role. That’s not really the same thing and is a fairly elegant dodge. He then moves on and says there should be better roles for women and African Americans.
  • DenbighDenbigh UK
    edited September 2019 Posts: 5,834
    I see what you’re all saying but I don’t really understand why you’re trying to add context to his words. None of us know what he meant, or what he was trying to say. In all honesty he might not even care, but trying to add an explanation to his words is just gonna seem like twisting them to force an agenda. Unless one of you is friends with Craig, none of you know why he said he what he did. Again, people are allowed an opinion, and if it doesn’t align with yours then tough.
  • 00Agent00Agent Any man who drinks Dom Perignon '52 can't be all bad.
    edited September 2019 Posts: 5,185
    you... gotta be f*****ng s*******g me...
    giphy.gif

    Are you people seriously discussing an daily mail article as actuall fact?

    You people realize that his words are literally from the Bond25 event from Jamaica?

    Here is the video:

    He was trying to bullshit his way out of giving a direct answer (which would have been no obviously) And you will see a lot more of that in 2020.

    All Craig has to say in my opinion is "I have zero say in this, go ask Barbara." But bless his heart for trying....

    It's unfathomable to me how easily people are tricked nowadays by tabloids.
    Scary really.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    Posts: 14,861
    00Agent wrote: »
    He was trying to bullshit his way out of giving a direct answer (which would have been no obviously) And you will see a lot more of that in 2020.

    Yeah, it’s a dodge. The headline does not align with the actual quote.

    We’ve already seen some aspects of Bond fandom lose their mind when the Mail went with that ‘Waller-Bridge hired to MeToo-up the script’ nonsense, so it’s not surprising they’d fall for this one.
  • 00Agent00Agent Any man who drinks Dom Perignon '52 can't be all bad.
    edited September 2019 Posts: 5,185
    mtm wrote: »
    00Agent wrote: »
    He was trying to bullshit his way out of giving a direct answer (which would have been no obviously) And you will see a lot more of that in 2020.

    We’ve already seen some aspects of Bond fandom lose their mind when the Mail went with that ‘Waller-Bridge hired to MeToo-up the script’ nonsense, so it’s not surprising they’d fall for this one.

    And thats why daily mail keeps them coming. It's a vicious cycle.
    If no one believed their BS, they wouldn't print it.
  • JamesCraigJamesCraig Ancient Rome
    edited September 2019 Posts: 3,497
    mtm wrote: »
    00Agent wrote: »
    He was trying to bullshit his way out of giving a direct answer (which would have been no obviously) And you will see a lot more of that in 2020.

    Yeah, it’s a dodge. The headline does not align with the actual quote.

    We’ve already seen some aspects of Bond fandom lose their mind when the Mail went with that ‘Waller-Bridge hired to MeToo-up the script’ nonsense, so it’s not surprising they’d fall for this one.

    The complaining and speculation concerning this movie has been unmatched here.

    Now shoot me. [-O< :(
  • Posts: 17,241
    Question (not only limited to the topic discussed here): How could we see Bond presented on screen/books etc. when James Bond eventually enters public domain? Could we see a "Jane Bond" or a completely different take on the character in the future, with the character in public domain – much like Sherlock Holmes?
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Question (not only limited to the topic discussed here): How could we see Bond presented on screen/books etc. when James Bond eventually enters public domain? Could we see a "Jane Bond" or a completely different take on the character in the future, with the character in public domain – much like Sherlock Holmes?

    Something like Shirley Holmes?
  • edited September 2019 Posts: 17,241
    Question (not only limited to the topic discussed here): How could we see Bond presented on screen/books etc. when James Bond eventually enters public domain? Could we see a "Jane Bond" or a completely different take on the character in the future, with the character in public domain – much like Sherlock Holmes?

    Something like Shirley Holmes?

    At first I thought you were joking, but I was surprised to see that this was indeed a thing!

    I just wonder with the public domain/copyright laws and whatnot, if we might see a different take on Bond in the future (on a streaming service or similar) when the character enters public domain? How does these public domain laws work?
  • JamesCraigJamesCraig Ancient Rome
    Posts: 3,497
    Slightly off topic, but how were the reactions to a female Dr. Who? :-?
  • JamesCraig wrote: »
    Slightly off topic, but how were the reactions to a female Dr. Who? :-?

    Some minor backlash when it was announced, followed by people quickly just forgetting about it. The last series as a whole was more successful/popular than the last couple of Capaldi ones. I didn't like it personally, and I'm not the only one, but that was because of the quality of the scripts and Jodie's performance. Very few people cared about the doctor being a woman. Didn't really make a difference at all apart from the obvious publicity boost at the start.

    It's a completely different situation though to a female Bond. Not comparable at all imo. One is an alien who as established in the show changes into a whole new person every time they die. The other is the same person. Different actors can tap into different sides of the character but it is still the same character. You can change his appearance sure, and I think even his skin colour doesn't matter anymore as long as the films are still set in the present day. But Bond is and always will be a man.
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    edited September 2019 Posts: 13,882
    JamesCraig wrote: »
    Slightly off topic, but how were the reactions to a female Dr. Who? :-?

    Mixed at best. Some fans were happy, some weren't.
  • edited September 2019 Posts: 12,837
    JamesCraig wrote: »
    Slightly off topic, but how were the reactions to a female Dr. Who? :-?

    Mixed at best. Some fans were happy, some weren't.

    I'd say say more positive overall than mixed to be honest. I read a lot of criticism in the Doctor Who thread on here, and I'm sure there was similar on actual Doctor Who fansites, but on social media the reaction seemed largely positive to me. I think it was a small vocal minority who were unhappy with it being a woman and I'm sure in the BBC's eyes alienating that minority was worth it for the boost in ratings it gave them.

    As I said though it's a completely different situation. The backlash to a female Bond would be much more severe.
  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    edited September 2019 Posts: 14,861
    JamesCraig wrote: »
    Slightly off topic, but how were the reactions to a female Dr. Who? :-?

    Some minor backlash when it was announced, followed by people quickly just forgetting about it. The last series as a whole was more successful/popular than the last couple of Capaldi ones. I didn't like it personally, and I'm not the only one, but that was because of the quality of the scripts and Jodie's performance. Very few people cared about the doctor being a woman. Didn't really make a difference at all apart from the obvious publicity boost at the start.

    It's a completely different situation though to a female Bond. Not comparable at all imo. One is an alien who as established in the show changes into a whole new person every time they die. The other is the same person. Different actors can tap into different sides of the character but it is still the same character. You can change his appearance sure, and I think even his skin colour doesn't matter anymore as long as the films are still set in the present day. But Bond is and always will be a man.

    Yeah I’m a big Dr Who fan and I’ve been all for the Doctor being a woman for years: it makes little difference to the character- or rather it makes no more difference than the usual changing of actor. There’s nothing about the character which needs to be a man.
    It just turned out, sadly, that the particular woman they chose was rubbish. Not because of her gender, just because of her.

    And I think that applies to several other big characters: I think, for example, you could easily do a female Sherlock Holmes (as long as it’s modern day)- everything essential about the character would stay the same with a gender swap. Robin Hood? He’s an outlaw outside of society so why not a woman? You’d need to change the crusader backstory I guess but it could work: and he’s even got a unisex name! :) It’ll happen.
    But Bond is a different case: there’s very little about him which isn’t framed through the perspective of his being a man. He’s defined by it.
    I think it’s better that any woman superspy character is her own thing though; it’s a bit insulting to women to say ‘oh you can be really strong in yourself; here’s a man’s hand-me-down for you’.
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    edited September 2019 Posts: 13,882
    JamesCraig wrote: »
    Slightly off topic, but how were the reactions to a female Dr. Who? :-?

    Mixed at best. Some fans were happy, some weren't.

    I'd say say more positive overall than mixed to be honest. I read a lot of criticism in the Doctor Who thread on here, and I'm sure there was similar on actual Doctor Who fansites, but on social media the reaction seemed largely positive to me. I think it was a small vocal minority who were unhappy with it being a woman and I'm sure in the BBC's eyes alienating that minority was worth it for the boost in ratings it gave them.

    As I said though it's a completely different situation. The backlash to a female Bond would be much more severe.

    I don't know if it really has been that positive. I do think it has been mixed at best. Though I don't doubt that it has attracted new fans who never would have watched that nerdy Doctor Who show. The series openeded stong, and while the numbers were up on the last series, they also have had an almost complete downward slide, with only a small uptick at the end.

    http://www.doctorwhotv.co.uk/doctor-who-series-11-2018-uk-ratings-accumulator-88397.htm


  • mtmmtm United Kingdom
    edited September 2019 Posts: 14,861
    JamesCraig wrote: »
    Slightly off topic, but how were the reactions to a female Dr. Who? :-?

    Mixed at best. Some fans were happy, some weren't.

    I'd say say more positive overall than mixed to be honest. I read a lot of criticism in the Doctor Who thread on here, and I'm sure there was similar on actual Doctor Who fansites, but on social media the reaction seemed largely positive to me. I think it was a small vocal minority who were unhappy with it being a woman and I'm sure in the BBC's eyes alienating that minority was worth it for the boost in ratings it gave them.

    As I said though it's a completely different situation. The backlash to a female Bond would be much more severe.

    I don't know if it really has been that positive. I do think it has been mixed at best. Though I don't doubt that it has attracted new fans who never would have watched that nerdy Doctor Who show. The series openeded stong, and while the numbers were up on the last series, they also have had an almost complete downward slide, with only a small uptick at the end.

    http://www.doctorwhotv.co.uk/doctor-who-series-11-2018-uk-ratings-accumulator-88397.htm


    I don't think that's anything to do with the Doctor's gender (well, the initial interest would have something to do with it I'm sure), but I'd be more inclined to put any loss of viewers or dissatisfaction with it down to the rubbish scripts than what's between the lead actor's legs.
    I don't think people hugely care about the gender, they just want a good show.
  • Posts: 322
    JamesCraig wrote: »
    Slightly off topic, but how were the reactions to a female Dr. Who? :-?

    Mixed at best. Some fans were happy, some weren't.

    I'd say say more positive overall than mixed to be honest. I read a lot of criticism in the Doctor Who thread on here, and I'm sure there was similar on actual Doctor Who fansites, but on social media the reaction seemed largely positive to me. I think it was a small vocal minority who were unhappy with it being a woman and I'm sure in the BBC's eyes alienating that minority was worth it for the boost in ratings it gave them.

    As I said though it's a completely different situation. The backlash to a female Bond would be much more severe.

    Not sure social media is definitive mirror of public reaction - despite the media obsession with Twitter. Social media is a quite narrow demographic. Whereas Dr Who, having been around since the early 1960s has a very wide demographic.
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