MOVIE NEWS – An Academy Award-winning actress was once considered for the role of 007 before Sean Connery became the iconic James Bond. The idea of a female Bond isn’t new—it was already being discussed as early as the 1950s.

The search for the next 007 has always been a major event, as the chosen actor steps into one of the most high-stakes roles in Hollywood. Carrying the weight of a billion-dollar franchise, the new James Bond will continue a legacy that spans nearly a century, filled with high-tech gadgets and daring missions. Ever since Daniel Craig left the role, speculation has been rampant that a woman could take up the mantle, leading to heated debates among fans. While some may be surprised, the idea of a female 007 actually dates back to the 1950s.

The Concept of a Female 007 Already Existed in the 1950s

After Craig’s departure from the series following No Time to Die, rumors of a female 007 intensified. However, this concept is not as groundbreaking as it may seem. The idea of a woman stepping into the shoes of James Bond was first suggested in the 1950s, long before the franchise took its modern form. In the golden age of Hollywood, Susan Hayward was proposed as a potential 007, well before the series had even begun.

Even before Ian Fleming’s spy made his way onto the big screen, the idea of a female Bond was already circulating. According to IndieWire, Nicholas Shakespeare’s biography Ian Fleming: The Complete Man reveals that in the 1950s, Gregory Ratoff, the producer behind an early adaptation of Casino Royale, suggested casting a woman in the lead role. This radical idea at the time had Susan Hayward, an acclaimed actress of the era, as the top choice. Hayward, who won an Oscar for her role in I Want to Live!, could have become the first-ever female 007 if the project had come to fruition.

During this period, the Bond character was not yet firmly established, and the film franchise was still nonexistent. While a female lead might have been seen as an innovative way to attract audiences, Ian Fleming, the creator of 007, reportedly disliked the idea. He was also famously skeptical of Sean Connery’s casting, dismissing the Scottish actor as “a brute.”

The Return of a Female 007 with Lashana Lynch

Decades later, the possibility of a female 007 resurfaced more prominently with the introduction of Lashana Lynch as Nomi in No Time to Die. Lynch’s character took over the 007 title after Bond’s retirement, marking a historic moment in the series. While Nomi was not a complete reinvention of the James Bond character, her presence in the franchise demonstrated a willingness to explore new directions. The inclusion of a female 007 sparked mixed reactions among fans and critics, but it also proved that the franchise is open to change—even if its producers are more hesitant.

Despite ongoing speculation, longtime franchise producer Barbara Broccoli has repeatedly stated that James Bond should remain a male character. In a 2018 interview, she made her stance clear: “Bond is male. He’s a male character. He was written as a man, and I think he’ll probably stay that way.” Broccoli, who has overseen the Bond films since the 1990s, further argued that rather than altering existing characters, Hollywood should focus on creating original female leads with their own compelling stories and depth.

Source: 3DJuegos