Daniel Craig is getting set to return for the latest installment of the James Bond franchise. After rumors swirled that he was ready to move on from the role, Craig confirmed he was signing on for his fifth and final Bond movie last summer.
But according to Craig's wife, Rachel Weisz, whoever succeeds her husband needs to fulfill one major qualification. In a recent interview with The Telegraph, Rachel Weisz said she doesn’t support the idea of a female James Bond. Weisz argues that the author of the Bond stories, Ian Fleming, “devoted an awful lot of time to writing this particular character, who is particularly male and relates in a particular way to women.“ If audiences want to see a female super spy in action, Weisz has a suggestion. "Why not create your own story rather than jumping on to the shoulders and being compared to all those other male predecessors," she says. "Women are really fascinating and interesting and should get their own stories.” Preach, sister. Preach.
Not that I wasn’t all here for the female reboot of Ghostbusters, but Weisz does raise an interesting point. For better or for worse, so much of Bond's persona hinges on his heteronormative playboy ways. That being said, I wouldn’t be mad at the idea of a film about a sexually empowered, jet-setting female superspy. I wonder if a female Bond would fetch the reported $100 million Craig is said to have turned down, when he was asked to reprise the role in 2016.
The as-yet-untitled Bond film doesn't have a director despite the fact that it's coming out on Nov. 8, 2019. Craig told Stephen Colbert this will be his last time playing 007. “I just want to go out on a high note,” he said, “I can’t wait.” Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go watch Atomic Blonde.
