Summary
- Sean Connery was the first James Bond, but a woman, Susan Hayward, was considered for the role in the 1950s.
- Despite the modern stance on Bond being male, the original plan shows the character was never defined by gender.
- Negative backlash and fear of boycotts may still prevent the Bond franchise from casting a female 007, despite calls for diversity.
The Bond 26 is inching closer to production, with many rumors swirling.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson is speculated to be taking on the role next, but that hasn't eliminated the idea that Bond could be played by a woman. In No Time To Die, Lashana Lynch was the first woman to the list of the Bond series' 007 agents, but it turns out that conversation was first ignited half a century before. In his biography about Ian Fleming, author Nicholas Shakespeare reveals that Casino Royale producer Gregory Ratoff tossed out the idea of casting a well-known actress in the role. This proves that any negative reception around a female Bond is ridiculous.
3 Movies James Bond 26 Should Take Inspiration From
If James Bond 26 is going to successfully reboot the franchise, it should take a look at these three films for inspiration.
James Bond Was Nearly A Woman In The 1950s
Oscar-Winning Actress Susan Hayward Was A Contender
As addressed by many names were considered to play James Bond, and one name that Gregory Ratoff carried in his mind over those years was Susan Hayward. Hayward was known at the time for her dramatic ability in film, going on to win an Academy Award in 1958 for her role as Barbara Graham in I Want to Live! In the biography, Shakespeare writes:
Since the mid-1950s, many well-known actors had been approached. Gregory Ratoff had the arresting idea of having Bond played by a woman, Susan Hayward. Ian had entertained several possibilities, from Richard Burton (‘I think that Richard Burton would be by far the best James Bond’), to James Stewart (‘I wouldn’t at all mind him as Bond if he can slightly anglicise his accent’), to James Mason (‘We might have to settle for him’).
Sean Connery was eventually offered the role because of his ability to commit long-term, but this biographical look into that process brings entertaining thoughts about what could have been. In the novel, producer Michael G. Wilson noted that Sean Connery ended up being the "right guy in the movie for the right time. If it hadn't been Sean, who knows? Would it have captured the attention of the whole world?" The Bond franchise could have been led by a majorly successful woman, but judging by the modern backlash studios receive for female representation, it could've gone extremely wrong.
The Original James Bond Casting Plan Proves Modern Complaints Are Groundless
James Bond Was Never Defined By Male Portrayal
Important people behind the Bond franchise argue that a woman will never fill 007's shoes. In 2018, co-producer of the franchise, Barbara Broccoli, shared her opinion on the matter, stating that James Bond is a "male character" and was intended to stay that way. She added that she would rather "create more female characters and make the story fit those female characters." Despite these comments, there has been a call for more diversity in the role, with even intelligence experts backing a female or black Bond protagonist.
The fact that Susan Hayward was considered for the role of Bond 60 years ago is evidence that maintaining the male sex of the character was never a priority.
The suggestion of a more diverse Bond is consistently met with backlash, as a quick Google search will lead you to many online conversations and arguments that the character needs to be a white man. However, the fact that Susan Hayward was considered for the role of Bond 60 years ago is evidence that maintaining the male sex of the character was never a priority. While studios may be afraid of boycotts from ionate fans of a male-portrayed James Bond, the original female casting could have impacted cinema in many ways.
The Next Bond Probably Still Won't Be A Woman, Despite The Original Plan
The Negative Backlash Could Be A Leading Reason
During the press tour of No Time To Die, Daniel Craig told Radio Times that "there should simply be better parts for women and actors of color. Why should a woman play James Bond when there should be a part just as good as James Bond, but for a woman?" Wanting stronger roles for women and minorities in the franchise isn't an unreasonable take, but comments like this from actors and producers have fueled the fire on the internet and damaged the possibility of seeing a female Bond on the big screen. Studio executives are likely afraid of the resulting backlash, hence why casting rumors around Bond 26 have been led by men.
Besides Aaron Taylor-Johnson, other actors who have been speculated to play the new James Bond include Tom Hardy, Jamie Dornan, Idris Elba, and Paul Mescal.
The Bond franchise is more alive than ever, with the $774 million global box office run of No Time To Die being one of the largest in the series. A huge chunk of that audience will continue to these movies, based on source material that was almost led by a woman. Iconic characters that have always been demanded to be played by men have started to see more gender-bending, from Pinhead to the cast of Ocean's 8, but the chances of that modern diversity surge reaching the James Bond franchise is left up to nothing but hope.
Source: IndieWire
James Bond
- Created by
- Ian Fleming, Albert R. Broccoli
- First Film
- Dr. No
- Latest Film
- No Time to Die
- Films
- James Bond 26
- Cast
- Daniel Craig
