James Bond Producers Open To Casting a Non-Binary 007

James Bond franchise producer Barbara Broccoli said the team is open to casting a person who identifies as non-binary to be the next 007. The famed producer began working on the Bond franchise at the age of 17, starting in the publicity department for The Spy Who Loved Me. As the movies continued to be made, she worked her way up to assistant director, associate producer, and then producer. Now, Broccoli finds herself at the helm of the entire property, holding the rights to the famed British agent under her company Eon Productions.

With Daniel Craig officially stepping away from the 007 role, people have been aiming queries at Broccoli about a possible replacement. After Craig’s final film No Time to Die premiered this year, the questions only multiplied. Broccoli has remained coy, saying that Craig leaves behind big shoes to fill. She’s also stated that the team won’t be searching until at least 2022. Of course, the producer has been dropping hints about what the team is and isn’t open to.

While speaking with the Girls On Film podcast, Broccoli encountered the question of a gender-bent Bond. Broccoli maintained her stance on keeping 007 a male-identifying actor, saying new roles should be written for women. Host Anna Smith then asked about the legend’s pronouns, and if Bond could identify as They/Them. To this, Broccoli said:

“Who knows, I think it’s open, you know? We just have to find the right actor.”

This is the first time Broccoli has publicly discussed Bond’s gender as being non-binary. Though she’s always described him as he/him in interviews. In the past, Broccoli has also touched on 007’s gender and sexuality. She has adamantly stated that she doesn’t think the man with a license to kill should be a woman with a license to kill. She thinks characters should be made for women, and women shouldn’t be inserted into men’s roles.

On the sexual orientation front, diehard fans may recall that Broccoli was also the producer to fight to keep a homoerotic scene between Craig and villain Javier Bardem in Skyfall. Out of the many requirements Broccoli seemingly has for Bond, one of her highest caveats appears to be that the British hero must remain that: British. She’s stated that Bond can be from any background as long as he is British.

The overall consensus from fans seems to be that future Bonds should keep a suave character, but pulse with a different perspective than the long list of white cisgender performers who have tackled the part before. Ideally it’d be nice to live in a world where Bond being non-binary wouldn’t be a headline, but simply a part of the actor’s life. Whoever the next James Bond winds up being, hopefully it’s a player that fits the action role and evolves the franchise.

Source: Girls On Film

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Robert Peterpaul
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Robert Peterpaul is a Movie/TV News Writer for Screen Rant. He’s currently the host of The Art of Kindness podcast, which aims to showcase celebrities using their platform to make the world better. Peterpaul has been a professional Writer/ Editor for over eight years, writing for high-profile publications like HuffPost, Backstage and HOLA! USA, where he served as the Weekend Editor for six years. Robert has also worked on various television shows and films, including: NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” and “Access Hollywood.” When he’s not writing about entertainment, he’s entertaining. Robert has appeared in films like James Franco’s “King Cobra,” TV series such as Amazon Prime’s “New Dogs, Old Tricks,” and ad campaigns for brands like T-Mobile. He also has a long-running career in the theatre, getting his start Off-Broadway when he was child. Speaking of childhood, Robert’s second home growing up was blockbuster, where he rented “The Goonies” more times than any customer (always with a side of Sour Patch Kids, of course). His undying passion for entertainment and storytelling continues to thrive. He thanks you for reading and hopes you follow your bliss. You can follow him on Instagram/Twitter @robpeterpaul and at www.robertpeterpaul.com.

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