It's certainly a matter of opinion, but the character's flaws and conflicts are very much tied up in his masculinity. Making the character a woman changes things so much it's essentially a different property with the same name. Just make a good original story about a woman who's a spy, don't ride the franchise's coattails for the wrong reasons. We don't need representation at this level of granularity.
Bond is the embodiment of white male privilege. (I suppose you could add handsome and straight privilege as well.) A well-dressed, handsome, white male with an abundance of confidence can easily gain access to many places without a second glance. Along with seducing women who have information, this is one of his main investigative strategies.
Unfortunately, women and people of color often don't have the same advantages and in some places are completely locked out. This makes it more difficult to change than someone like Leiter, Moneypenny or M who are much more flexible characters.
While it would still be possible to make a Bond without these attributes (they can still drink martinis, shoot bad guys and make quips) it would be a drastic change to the character.
I suppose the other perspective is that if Bond is primarily intended to be a personification of Britain, perhaps it's right that the character looks representative of Britain.
It's certainly a matter of opinion, but the character's flaws and conflicts are very much tied up in his masculinity. Making the character a woman changes things so much it's essentially a different property with the same name. Just make a good original story about a woman who's a spy, don't ride the franchise's coattails for the wrong reasons. We don't need representation at this level of granularity.
Bond is the embodiment of white male privilege. (I suppose you could add handsome and straight privilege as well.) A well-dressed, handsome, white male with an abundance of confidence can easily gain access to many places without a second glance. Along with seducing women who have information, this is one of his main investigative strategies.
Unfortunately, women and people of color often don't have the same advantages and in some places are completely locked out. This makes it more difficult to change than someone like Leiter, Moneypenny or M who are much more flexible characters.
While it would still be possible to make a Bond without these attributes (they can still drink martinis, shoot bad guys and make quips) it would be a drastic change to the character.
I suppose the other perspective is that if Bond is primarily intended to be a personification of Britain, perhaps it's right that the character looks representative of Britain.
Food doesn't have to taste good, but the people that consume it generally like it that way.
He has to be a James
Personally I can’t wait for Snow White to be played by a 60 year old retired plumber from New Jersey.
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