Former Bond Girl Eva Green Says 007 Should 'Always' Be Played By a Man

The debate over whether James Bond should be a female character rages on with former Bond girl Eva Green opposed to the idea.

Green, 38, who portrayed Vesper Lynd opposite Daniel Craig in 2006’s Casino Royale, spoke to Vanity Fair about why she was against the idea of a female 007.

“I’m for women, but I really think James Bond should remain a man,” she told the magazine at the premiere of her latest film Dumbo on Monday night. “It doesn’t make sense for him to be a woman.”

While Green may be against the idea of a female Bond, she said she believed women could own a different, original character in their own right.

“Women can play different types of characters, be in action movies and be superheroes, but James Bond should always be a man and not be Jane Bond,” she said. “There is history with the character that should continue.”

She added, “He should be played by a man.”

Craig’s wife, Oscar-winner Rachel Weisz, held the same opinion, telling The Telegraph in 2018 women should be able to portray their own characters.

“Why not create your own story rather than jumping onto the shoulders and being compared to all those other male predecessors?” Weisz proposed.

She continued, “Women are really fascinating and interesting, and should get their own stories.”

Fan-favorite Idris Elba told Variety in 2018 he would be open to seeing a woman portray Bond.

“I would be interested in having a Bond character other than being a male,” he said. “It could be a woman, it could be a black woman, it could be a white woman. But I think that character, everyone would like to see [them] do something different with it, you know. Why not?”

Green may not be on board, but she revealed to Vanity Fair she does “love the fact that the Bond girls have evolved.”

“I originally had reservations about being a Bond girl,” Green said. “I didn’t want to be a bimbo. The women are now perceived differently. They are intelligent and sassy and fascinating.”

She continued, “I loved playing Vesper. She’s the only one to get to Bond’s heart and has a big impact on his life.”

As for whether she’ll reunite with Craig, 51, for his final portrayal of the iconic spy, Green said she would not return but praised the actor for his “visceral” portrayal.

“He’s made James Bond human,” she said. “We see him flawed and vulnerable. He’s the best James Bond we have seen.”