Bond is “absolutely relevant now” says Phoebe Waller-Bridge

Fleabag writer says that while Bond should evolve he needs to remain true to his character.

Fleabag and Killing Eve creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge recently talked to Deadline about her work on Bond 25. And if you’re still worried she will ruin Bond maybe this will put your mind at rest. She forthrightly told Deadline:

“There’s been a lot of talk about whether or not [the Bond franchise] is relevant now because of who he is and the way he treats women,” she said. “I think that’s bollocks. I think he’s absolutely relevant now. It has just got to grow. It has just got to evolve, and the important thing is that the film treats the women properly. He doesn’t have to. He needs to be true to this character.”

That’s absolutely right, the film should treat female characters well. And there is a massive difference between the film treating them well and how 007 treats women. It’s an important distinction that seems lost on the tabloids and many Bond fans.

Also, rather than some crazed feminist out to emasculate 007, Waller-Bridge seems to be a fan. In the article she says she likes Daniel Craig’s portrayal of Bond:

“When I saw his Bond for the first time, there was a wryness to his performance that I really loved. […] So, I was really excited about writing dialogue for him. I mean, the script was there. It’s already there. I think it’s unfair to say that I’m writing the script.”

That’s all a long way from the tabloid headlines screaming that she had been brought in to make Bond relevant to the MeToo era.

Source: Deadline

David Leigh founded The James Bond Dossier in 2002. A fan of 007 since the age of 8, he is also author of The Complete Guide to the Drinks of James Bond. You can order a copy here if you don't own it already.

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