Helen Mirren has never been afraid to speak her mind, and her latest comments about the future of 007 will surely have the internet buzzing.
In a brand-new interview, the legendary actress made it clear that she doesn't believe a woman should ever take over the James Bond role.
Her bold statement got support from the former Bond himself.
Helen Mirren Says A Female James Bond' Just Doesn't Work'
During her candid chat with Saga Magazine, Dame Helen Mirren made it clear that she doesn't think a gender-swapped version of the iconic spy would be the right direction.
"I'm such a feminist, but James Bond has to be a guy," she stated flatly. "You can't have a woman. It just doesn't work. James Bond has to be James Bond, otherwise it becomes something else."
Although Mirren is currently playing a retired spy in "The Thursday Murder Club," a role she called "a more realistic portrayal of a spy," she admitted that her version doesn't carry the same flair.
"So many women have worked in that world. She's a manifestation of a reality, that's for sure," she said before cheekily adding, "but not so much fun as Bond!"
Pierce Brosnan Backs Mirren Up And Shares Excitement About The Next James Bond
Helen Mirren wasn't alone in her opinion. Sitting beside her was former 007 star Pierce Brosnan, who completely agreed with her take.
Brosnan, who played Bond in four films, from "GoldenEye" in 1995 to "Die Another Day" in 2002, said he's thrilled to see the legendary spy return, but believes the role should stay true to its roots.
"I'm so excited to see the next man come on the stage and to see a whole new exuberance and life for this character," he explained.
Calling the franchise "the gift that keeps giving," the actor added that he's now happy to be "just a member of the audience… sitting back, saying: 'Show us what you're going to do.'"
James Bond Casting Rumors Heat Up
With Daniel Craig hanging up the tux after "No Time to Die," the hunt for the next James Bond is wide open, and fans already have plenty of favorites.
Names like Henry Cavill, Richard Madden, Regé-Jean Page, Damson Idris, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Tom Hardy are all being floated by fans and industry insiders.
With Amazon MGM now in charge of the franchise's next chapter, the pressure to pick the perfect James Bond has never been higher.
Even though Mirren feels a woman shouldn't take the lead, she made it clear she still "adores the world of James Bond" and, like Brosnan, she's simply waiting to see who shakes things up next.
Helen Mirren Calls Out Sexism In Bond Franchise
Although Mirren believes a woman shouldn't play James Bond, she has previously slammed the franchise for being sexist. Earlier this year, she made it clear that she has serious issues with the way women have been portrayed in the long-running Bond films.
During an interview with The London Standard, the veteran actress stated, "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."
She went even further, arguing that the entire concept of the franchise is rooted in outdated gender attitudes.
"The whole concept of James Bond is drenched and born out of profound sexism," she said.
Mirren explained that women have long played vital roles in real intelligence agencies and deserve real recognition.
"Women have always been a major and incredibly important part of the Secret Service, they always have been," she continued.
Instead of rewriting 007 as a female character, Mirren said she would rather see "real stories about extraordinary women who've worked in that world."
Helen Mirren Still Praises Bond Actors Despite Criticism
Despite her criticism of the franchise itself, Mirren made it clear she holds no ill will toward the men who have played the iconic character over the years. She spoke with genuine admiration about some of them.
The actress said she's "a massive fan" of Pierce Brosnan, praising not just his looks and acting but his character off-screen.
"Obviously, he's gorgeous and everything, and I think he's fabulous in MobLand, but he also happens to be one of the nicest people you'll ever have the pleasure to work with," she said.
Mirren, whose late cousin Tania Mallet appeared in 1964's "Goldfinger," also had kind words for Daniel Craig.
She described the most recent Bond star as "a very lovely, gracious person."