In a recent interview with The Telegraph, Rachel Weisz spoke out against the idea of gender swapping the character of James Bond. She believes that women deserve to see their own respective stories be taken place on the big screen rather than relying on switching the male version of a character with a female. With the character of Bond, Weisz notes that the original intention of author Ian Fleming was to create a character “who is particularly male and relates in a particular way to women.” As Fleming “devoted an awful lot of time to writing this particular character,” switching the gender for the sake of switching it loses a vital aspect of Bond’s character as how he perceives what masculinity is and the way he treats women with this view is one of the key factors that makes him who he is.
The Disobedience actress went on to suggest that perhaps storytellers could create new works depicting compelling female characters who are in their own respective narratives:
“Why not create your own story rather than jumping on to the shoulders and being compared to all those other male predecessors? Women are really fascinating and interesting and should get their own stories.”
The idea of a female James Bond has floated around the film world for years, however it started to gain some real traction when it was unclear whether Daniel Craig would return to the famed role following 2015’s Spectre. Many speculated as to what was occurring behind the scenes and contract-wise between Sony Pictures and the lead. Weisz would certainly know a thing or two about these negotiations as she has been married to Craig since 2011.
Nevertheless, Craig has been confirmed to portray the iconic agent one more time in the upcoming Bond 25. While the film has no director or other cast members confirmed, it is slated for a November 8, 2019 release date.
Weisz stars alongside Rachel McAdams in the upcoming Disobedience, set for limited release on April 27, 2018.
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