Dame Helen Mirren has condemned the James Bond franchise as "sexist". The Oscar-winning actress has never been a fan of the superspy franchise because believes the character - originally created by author Ian Fleming - was "born out of profound sexism" and she's never liked the way women were represented in the film series. She told The Standard newspaper: "I have to say I was never a great ward [of James Bond].
I’m a huge fan of [007 star] Pierce Brosnan, I mean massive fan. I mean, oh my God ..
. "And indeed [fellow former James Bond] Daniel Craig, who I’ve met and know a little bit. Again, a very lovely gracious person .
.. "[But] the whole series of James Bond, it was not my thing.
It really wasn’t. I never liked James Bond. I never liked the way women were in James Bond.
" Mirren went on to admit she's also opposed to the idea of a woman taking over the role of 007. She added: "The whole concept of James Bond is drenched and born out of profound sexism. 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.
" Mirren's comments come after the future of the franchise was handed over to Amazon Studios as longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson stepped down. Former Bond Brosnan, 71, previously insisted.
