James Bond bosses plotting ‘first female 007’ in major shake-up
Things are changing following Amazon's deal.
As the James Bond franchise undergoes a major shake-up, word on the street is that the next leading 007 character could finally be a woman.
It was recently confirmed that Amazon MGM Studios would be taking over Bond after the Broccoli family ceased creative control.
Producers and half-siblings Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli have ‘formed a new joint venture to house the James Bond intellectual property rights’, meaning they are still co-owners.
However, fans are still eagerly awaiting confirmation of who will be the next secret agent, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson having been the frontrunner for a while.
But as those rumours continue to swirl, it’s believed other plans are being put into place for Bond’s future, which could include exciting spin-offs.
According to industry insiders, bosses are discussing side projects involving CIA operative Felix Leiter, plus a prequel about MI6 secretary Miss Moneypenny.
Florence Pugh is reportedly being eyed up for an exciting 007 spin-off (Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage)The Hollywood Reporter detailed: ‘Sources close to the franchise say the streamer approached the Broccolis with pitches for a TV series based on Moneypenny, the MI6 secretary who’s been batting eyes at Bond since Sean Connery’s days, as well as a show about Bond CIA buddy Felix Leiter, and maybe even something involving a female 007.’
It’s believed that former producers Wilson and Broccoli were not interested when the ideas were pitched to them in the past.
Now that Bond is at Amazon’s disposal, though, it seems talks are being had once again.
As for A-listers who might be getting a call, it’s been reported that the first spin-off, The Moneypenny Diaries, could feature none other than Florence Pugh as Miss Moneypenny herself.
Miss Moneypenny was first portrayed by Lois Maxwell (Picture: Philip Day/REX/Shutterstock)The movie would explore the character’s life before she began working with Bond as a secretary to M, his superior officer, who has been played by four actors: Bernard Lee, Robert Brown, Dame Judi Dench, and Ralph Fiennes.
In the franchise, Miss Moneypenny, later assigned the first names of Eve or Jane, has been played by Lois Maxwell, Caroline Bliss, Samantha Bond, and, most recently, Naomie Harris.
Comment nowWould you like to see the next Bond as a woman?Comment NowAs for Leiter, he has appeared in 10 Bond films and has been played by nine actors, the first being Michael Pate in 1954 and most recently Jeffrey Wright in 2006, 2008, and 2021.
Meanwhile, film fanatics are still wondering whether the next actual Bond could also be a woman, with a recent all-female Oscars tribute only adding fuel to the fire.
Naomie Harris later starred opposite Daniel Craig as the secretary (Picture: Danjaq/Eon Productions/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock) Who could be the next Bond Girl? The odds...Margaret Qualley – 38.1%
Saoirse Ronan – 36.4%
Marisa Abela – 33.3%
Sydney Sweeney – 28.6%
Molly Gordon – 25%
Dua Lipa – 20%
Michelle Keegan – 18.2%
Charlotte Kirk – 16.7%
Jodie Comer – 15.4%
Mikey Madison – 14.3%
Ana de Armas – 13.3%
Felicity Jones – 12.5%
Florence Pugh – 11.1%
Kaya Scodelario – 9.1%
Percentages from
Last week, viewers of the Academy Awards were puzzled by a segment dedicated to Bond, which began with a dance routine from The Substance actress Margaret Qualley before Blackpink’s Lisa performed a rendition of Live and Let Die.
Raye wrapped the segment up with a cover of Skyfall before Halle Berry, who appeared in Die Another Day (2002), took to the mic to shout out the Broccolis for their work.
Those watching at home were admittedly ‘baffled’ by the spectacle, as there has been no indication of a new Bond movie being released, nor is there an ETA on confirmation of the next leading actor.
Qualley in particular, though, has been eyed as a possible new Bond Girl, as have Saoirse Ronan, Marisa Abela, and Sydney Sweeney.
It’s said there could also be a spin-off for CIA agent Felix Leiter (Picture: Nicola Dove/MGM/THA/REX/Shutterstock)For months now, it has been said that Taylor-Johnson, known for roles in Kick Ass and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has pretty much signed on the dotted line.
But nothing is concrete, as James Norton, Idris Elba, Theo James, and René-Jean Page have also had their names thrown into the mix since Daniel Craig bowed out in 2021’s No Time to Die.
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