“Helen Mirren Critiques the James Bond Franchise with Blunt Honesty”

Helen Mirren slammed the James Bond franchise, despite her deep admiration for the actors who have played 007.

The 79-year-old Oscar winner recently shared her candid thoughts on Amazon’s takeover of the iconic spy saga in an interview with The Standard. 

‘I have to say I was never a great ward [of Bond],’ Mirren admitted.

She expressed her admiration for Pierce Brosnan, emphasizing that he is not only a talented actor but also a kind and pleasant person to collaborate with. She also mentioned her positive impression of Daniel Craig, whom she has met and found to be a gracious individual.

But while she holds Brosnan and Craig in high regard, Mirren has little affection for the Bond franchise itself.

‘The whole series of James Bond was actually not my thing,’ she said. 

Helen Mirren slammed the James Bond franchise, despite her deep admiration for the actors who have played 007

Mirren acknowledged that she was not a big fan of the character James Bond, but she greatly appreciated Pierce Brosnan and considered him to be a wonderful person both on and off the screen (Izabella Scorupco, Pierce Brosnan Goldeneye – 1995).

‘I never liked James Bond. I never liked the way women were in James Bond;’ (Sean Connery in You Only Live Twice)

‘It really wasn’t. I never liked James Bond. I never liked the way women were in James Bond.’

She also said she is ‘opposed’ to a female 007. 

‘The whole concept of James Bond is drenched and born out of profound sexism.’

Mirren insisted espionage stories centered on real-life women deserve the spotlight.

‘Women have always been a major and incredibly important part of the Secret Service, they always have been,’ she explained. 

‘And very brave. If you hear about what women did in the French Resistance, they’re amazingly, unbelievably courageous. 

‘So I would tell real stories about extraordinary women who’ve worked in that world.’  

Her candid comments critiquing the James Bond franchise coincide with concerns raised by fans regarding the potential impact of Amazon’s recent acquisition on the iconic 007 legacy.

‘The whole concept of James Bond is drenched and born out of profound sexism’; (Carey Lowell, Timothy Dalton, Talisa Soto Licence To Kill – 1989)

Mirren insisted espionage stories centered on real-life women deserve the spotlight; (Sean Connery and Swiss actress Ursula Andress on the set of Dr. No)

‘I have to say I was never a great ward [of Bond],’ Mirren admitted; (Daniel Craig in Skyfall – 2012)

Many fear the streaming giant will flood the market with countless spin-offs, following a similar path to what Disney did with Star Wars.

Amazon’s acquisition of MGM Studios in 2022 gave the company distribution rights to the 007 films but, until now, creative control remained with longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson—the daughter and stepson of Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli, who launched the iconic spy franchise in 1962.

However, the new agreement hands Amazon the reins for any upcoming films, leading to a backlash from Bond fans.

On Reddit, one user lamented,’It’s clearly the end of the franchise for long-time Bond fans. 

‘Amazon will churn out mediocre spin-offs and flood the market to boost Prime subscriptions.’

Another expressed a similar sentiment: ‘RIP James Bond. Amazon will destroy a great franchise, just like Disney destroyed Star Wars.’

With James Bond now in new hands, rumors continue to fly over who will take up the 007 mantle. 

While nothing is official, Aaron Taylor-Johnson remains the frontrunner, with names like Henry Cavill, Idris Elba, and Regé-Jean Page still in the mix.