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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think the new James Bond shouldn't be a woman?

126 replies

SummersOverSeasideTown · 30/09/2021 17:55

Kier Starmer- despite not knowing what a woman is- thinks the new Bond should be a woman.

Aibu to this will help sexual equality in the same way Insulate Britain are helping the climate change cause?

What we need are strong roles written and intended for women, by replacing a figure such as Bond all we do is further alienate the entrenched and worse create an idea that society is moving towards equality when really it is just smoke and mirrors?

OP posts:
Innovationstandard · 30/09/2021 17:59

I agree for what it's worth

cardibach · 30/09/2021 18:00

I think they’ve said it won’t be, so no need to worry. Interesting way to shoe horn in another Starmer criticism though…

ErrolTheDragon · 30/09/2021 18:00

YANBU.
Bond has a long history of being a sexist, violent man. A woman named 'Bond' simply wouldn't be anything like the same character. WTF would be the point?

It's not like Dr Who, an alien with regenerative capacity and a variety of personas - which could have worked with a woman, not her fault the writing turned out to be crap.

BIoodyStupidJohnson · 30/09/2021 18:04

007 can be a woman, and indeed is in the new film.

James Bond, the character, is a man. But he's just one man. And, like any other man, is replaceable.

James Bond might be a man, but there's no reason why 007 couldn't be a woman.

Original poster
SummersOverSeasideTown · 30/09/2021 18:04

@cardibach

I think they’ve said it won’t be, so no need to worry. Interesting way to shoe horn in another Starmer criticism though…
No, interesting that Starmer decided to say this on Good Morning Britain- especially after the franchise said they were going to stick with a man.
OP posts:
VladmirsPoutine · 30/09/2021 18:05

I agree it shouldn't be. Moreover people don't want a e.g a homosexual or female or whatever else version of a successful character. They want the resources and opportunity to create their own characters. A female Bond wouldn't be at all progressive or all that interesting to watch - how could you reconcile that Bond is essentially a misogynist.

DismantledKing · 30/09/2021 18:05

I agree. I voted for Starmer as leader, but I now think that he’s an idiot (not least for not backing Rosie Duffield). Mind you, Rayner is even worse.

TheNestedIf · 30/09/2021 18:09

I agree. I have been long making the same argument about both Bond and Dr Who.

Dozer · 30/09/2021 18:09

Agree: Bond is passe and should just stop. So many better options for films.

Not seen any of the Bond movies with Daniel Craig. After too many years of watching Bond as ‘family’ entertainment couldn’t hack any more of the sexist, toxic masculinity bollocks!

user213654 · 30/09/2021 18:10

Hard position for Sir Keir to be put in. How to come out looking good when discussing something that is going to upset 50% of people no matter which answer you give.
I should value anything a former human rights lawyer says over classicist whose got a boost in his career from daddy and not so long ago likened muslim women to pillar boxes.

Libertaire · 30/09/2021 18:14

I agree. Not everything in life has to be ‘woke’. Bond should always be a white, male, ex-Navy officer.

That doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be a series of films about a female super spy who achieves her aims by the use of brains & guile, rather than brawn & violence....

DismantledKing · 30/09/2021 18:15

@user213654

Hard position for Sir Keir to be put in. How to come out looking good when discussing something that is going to upset 50% of people no matter which answer you give. I should value anything a former human rights lawyer says over classicist whose got a boost in his career from daddy and not so long ago likened muslim women to pillar boxes.
All he has to say is ‘I don’t really care’ or ‘I don’t really have an opinion on this’
HouseOfFire · 30/09/2021 18:16

@ErrolTheDragon

YANBU. Bond has a long history of being a sexist, violent man. A woman named 'Bond' simply wouldn't be anything like the same character. WTF would be the point?

It's not like Dr Who, an alien with regenerative capacity and a variety of personas - which could have worked with a woman, not her fault the writing turned out to be crap.

I so agree! So disappointed with her storylines
bakingdemon · 30/09/2021 18:17

The producer said James Bond should always be male - what's needed is iconic kickass female characters in their own right

Againstmachine · 30/09/2021 18:22

Bond should always be a white male, no Ifs no buts it's part of his make up of who he is.

If we want roles for people of minoritys write them, write decent roles for women. Taking existing characters and fitting them into a agenda is lazy and alienates people.

Interestingly the Bond producers did try to set up a new franchise with Blake lively called the rhythm section unfortunately it wasn't very successful.

helpfulperson · 30/09/2021 18:23

I would love to see a film of judi dench's M in her youth as a field agent. But James bond is male.

Againstmachine · 30/09/2021 18:24

*Agree: Bond is passe and should just stop. So many better options for films.

Not seen any of the Bond movies with Daniel Craig. *

Interesting judging films being passe without seeing them.

DismantledKing · 30/09/2021 18:25

@helpfulperson

I would love to see a film of judi dench's M in her youth as a field agent. But James bond is male.
Yeah, that’s a good idea actually.
VeganCheesePlease · 30/09/2021 18:25

I don't think Bond should be a woman either. It's a man's role, same as Ellen Ripley and Lara Croft are woman's roles and I wouldn't want to see a man in them.

BareBelliedSneetch · 30/09/2021 18:26

I don’t think Bond needs to be white. But he does need to be male.

007 can totally be a woman.

Dr Who can be whatever/whoever/whenever 🤷‍♀️

VanGoSunflowers · 30/09/2021 18:26

@helpfulperson

I would love to see a film of judi dench's M in her youth as a field agent. But James bond is male.
Oooh good idea! Start writing it!
Original poster
SummersOverSeasideTown · 30/09/2021 18:27

All he has to say is ‘I don’t really care’ or ‘I don’t really have an opinion on this’

And considering the first lesson at MP School is 'How to not answer a question even when the only conceivable answer is yes or no' he should be adept at a non committal answer.

OP posts:
TSSDNCOP · 30/09/2021 18:27

Occasionally it would be refreshing to hear a politician not take a view on every single thing.

Keir, should the next James Bond be a woman.

Well, interviewer it's not something I really care about which is a good job as I'm not a film Producer and the people that are have already said no. Anyway, back to the shit show week the entire UK have experienced that is what I really bloody ought to have an opinion on how to fix, but don't because I am spending so long trying to appease people in my party.

DoNotGetADog · 30/09/2021 18:29

@user213654

Hard position for Sir Keir to be put in. How to come out looking good when discussing something that is going to upset 50% of people no matter which answer you give. I should value anything a former human rights lawyer says over classicist whose got a boost in his career from daddy and not so long ago likened muslim women to pillar boxes.
He didn’t mind putting himself in a difficult position with his nonsensical fact-ignoring cervix comment last week. He was happy to align himself with something that I’d be prepared to bet 95% of the general public disagree with.
Standrewsschool · 30/09/2021 18:30

@helpfulperson

I would love to see a film of judi dench's M in her youth as a field agent. But James bond is male.
Great idea
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