Few cinematic icons have sparked as much debate, speculation, and passionate opinion as James Bond. But as the world waits to see who will next don the tuxedo and utter the immortal words, "Bond. James Bond," two screen legends—Dame Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan—have stepped into the conversation, offering their own candid takes on the future of 007.
In a recent interview with Saga Magazine (as reported by BBC and woman&home), Dame Helen Mirren made her stance clear: James Bond, she believes, should remain a man. "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," she told the magazine on August 18, 2025. The Oscar-winning actress, now 80, is no stranger to challenging roles or gender-swapped characters—she notably played Prospero, Shakespeare’s vengeful Duke of Milan, in a 2010 film adaptation of The Tempest. Yet, even with her trailblazing résumé, Mirren draws a line when it comes to 007.
Mirren’s remarks weren’t delivered in a vacuum. She was promoting her latest project, Netflix’s The Thursday Murder Club, in which she plays Elizabeth, a retired spy. The film, based on Richard Osman’s bestselling debut novel, is set to hit theaters on August 22, 2025, before streaming on Netflix just six days later. Mirren reflected on her own take on the spy genre, saying, "So many women have worked in that world. She's a manifestation of a reality, that's for sure," but conceded that her character’s approach is "more realistic but not so much fun as Bond!"
Sitting beside her during the interview was Pierce Brosnan, another name synonymous with Bond. Now 72, Brosnan played the legendary spy in four films—GoldenEye (1995), Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The World Is Not Enough (1999), and Die Another Day (2002). Brosnan echoed Mirren’s sentiment, albeit with a touch more levity. "I wish them well," he said of the franchise’s next star. "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.'"
The question of who should play Bond has been a hot topic since Daniel Craig hung up his Walther PPK in 2021, closing out a 15-year run with No Time to Die. Speculation has run rampant—names like Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Tom Hardy, Henry Cavill, and even Tom Holland have been thrown into the ring. Yet, as of August 2025, no official casting announcement has been made. According to Deadline and other industry sources, the franchise is undergoing a seismic shift behind the scenes as well.
After more than six decades under the stewardship of the Broccoli family, the rights to Bond were sold to Amazon for a reported $1 billion. This historic move saw Amazon MGM Studios take creative control, with longtime Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson remaining on board alongside new heavyweights. Denis Villeneuve, acclaimed for his work on Dune, is set to direct the next installment, while Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight has been tapped to write the script. Producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman have also joined the team, promising a fresh take on the world's most famous spy.
For many fans, the prospect of a female Bond has been both tantalizing and controversial. The debate isn’t new, but it has intensified in recent years as Hollywood reckons with representation and the reimagining of classic characters. Mirren’s comments, delivered with characteristic frankness, have sparked renewed discussion. Her argument, in essence, is about preserving the essence of the character. "James Bond has to be James Bond, otherwise it becomes something else," she emphasized. While Mirren has herself broken gender boundaries in the past, she draws a distinction between reinterpretation and reinvention—at least where 007 is concerned.
Brosnan, for his part, seems more interested in the excitement of seeing a new actor take on the role than in the specifics of gender. Yet his words—"I’m so excited to see the next man come on the stage"—make it clear he, too, envisions Bond as a male character. Their shared perspective is notable, especially given their respective histories: Mirren with her gender-swapped Shakespearean roles, and Brosnan as one of the most beloved Bonds of the modern era.
They’re not alone. Halle Berry, who starred opposite Brosnan in Die Another Day, weighed in on the debate at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. "In 2025, it’s nice to say, 'Oh, she should be a woman.' But I don’t really know if I think that’s the right thing to do," Berry remarked, according to woman&home. Her comments add another dimension to the discussion, highlighting both the allure and the complexity of reimagining such a storied role.
Amid all this, fans won’t have to wait long to see Mirren and Brosnan share the screen—albeit not as Bond and Bond girl, but as co-stars in The Thursday Murder Club. The film, which also features Celia Imrie and David Tennant, follows a group of pensioners who set out to solve a murder in their retirement village. It’s a far cry from the high-octane world of MI6, but it offers both actors a chance to flex their considerable talents in a new setting.
The debate over Bond’s future is far from settled. Some argue that the character’s enduring appeal lies in his unchanging core—a suave, sharp, distinctly male spy navigating a world of danger and intrigue. Others see an opportunity for reinvention, a chance to reflect a changing world in one of its most iconic characters. What’s clear is that the conversation isn’t just about gender, but about legacy, identity, and the delicate balance between tradition and innovation.
For now, the world waits. Will the next Bond be a familiar face or a bold new choice? Will the franchise double down on tradition or take a leap into uncharted territory? As Mirren, Brosnan, and Berry have all made clear, there’s no shortage of opinions—or anticipation. And as Amazon MGM prepares to unveil its vision for the future of 007, one thing is certain: the name’s Bond, and the world is watching.
