Dame Helen Mirren’s scathing take-down of Bond movies

The Oscar-winning screen legend is absolutely not a fan of the 007 franchise, despite its icon status in Hollywood.

IN LONDON

One of the most high-profile actors in Hollywood has issued a scathing take-down of the James Bond films.

Oscar-winner Dame Helen Mirren, 79, was brutally honest about her thoughts on the iconic, long-running franchise during an interview with The Standard, admitting she “never liked” it.

“I have to say I was never a great ward [of Bond],” Mirren admitted, while clarifying that she still admired the actors who had taken on the role – especially Pierce Brosnan, with whom she currently co-stars in MobLand.

“I’m a huge fan of Pierce Brosnan. He also happens to be one of the nicest people you’ll ever have the pleasure to work with. And indeed Daniel Craig, who I’ve met and know a little bit. Again, a very lovely gracious person.”

However, she added: “The whole series of James Bond was actually not my thing.

It really wasn’t. I never liked James Bond. I never liked the way women were in James Bond.”

Mirren slammed the franchise – but spoke in support of former 007 Pierce Brosnan, her current MobLand co-star. Picture: Lia Toby/Getty Images

Mirren went on to declare that despite swirling speculation Craig’s predecessor could be female, she was firmly “opposed” to the idea.

“The whole concept of James Bond is drenched and born out of profound sexism,” she said.

“Women have always been a major and incredibly important part of the Secret Service, they always have been.

“And very brave. If you hear about what women did in the French Resistance, they’re amazingly, unbelievably courageous. So I would tell real stories about extraordinary women who’ve worked in that world.”

Sean Connery as Bond. Picture: Metro-Goldyn-Mayer Studios Inc. and Danjaq, LLC

Fans have voiced concerns about the future of the spy franchise in recent weeks following the decision by its long-serving producers to handover creative control to Amazon MGM Studios.

Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli made the announcement last month after a deal was forged with the entertainment giant to release onto it the intellectual property rights of the British spy tales.

There’s been plenty of speculation about who might replace Daniel Craig. Picture: Nicola Dove/EON Productions and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios

Albert Broccoli and Harry Saltzman first launched the Bond films back in 1962, with Broccoli’s daughter and stepson later taking over.

The family has been producing the films through their UK-based company EON, which is behind some of its biggest commercial successes, including Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, and Skyfall.

The last Bond movie released was No Time To Die in 2021, which also marked Daniel Craig’s last outing as 007.

Speculation has been rife in Hollywood for years over who will take over the coveted role, with the most recent reports suggesting British actor Aaron-Taylor Johnson was a frontrunner after impressing Broccoli during a screen test.

However, now that she is no longer behind the wheel creatively, that may no longer be the case.

There are currently no plans in place for the next film.