Former Bond Girl Gemma Arterton Gives a Blunt Response to the Idea of Changing James Bond in This Way

For years now, people have been speculating about the new installation of the James Bond franchise. Many names have been discussed about who to cast in the titular role, the villains, and even the Bond Girls. However, amid it all, there’s also been talk about changing James Bond in some way, either changing the character’s gender or sexuality. Speaking of changing gender, one former Bond Girl has some big feelings about the potential change.

Actress Gemma Arterton recently spoke with The Sunday Times about the idea of them changing James Bond into a female lead; and she’s not a big fan of it at all.

“Isn’t a female James Bond like Mary Poppins being played by a man?” she wondered to the outlet. “They talk about it, but I think people would find it too outrageous. Sometimes you just have to respect the tradition.”

Now, she’s not the only one who is not a big fan of this potential change. Former Bond Daniel Craig spoke about this in 2021 to the Radio Times, saying how he’d prefer to see a new spy franchise led by a woman rather than gender-swap James Bond. He said, “Why should a woman play James Bond when there should be a part just as good as James Bond, but for a woman?

But back to Arterton. For those who don’t know, she played a Bond Girl back in 2008. Specifically, she played the character of British Secret Service agent Strawberry Fields in Quantum of Solace.

In the same interview with the Sunday Times, Arterton talked about whether or not she regrets her role as Strawberry Fields, saying, “I don’t regret doing a Bond film, but I am perplexed why it has followed me around. I was only in the film for five minutes.”