Helen Mirren has weighed in on the female James Bond debate, saying 007 should remain male: “James Bond has to be a guy. Otherwise it becomes something else.” She noted her upcoming role in Thursday Murder Club reflects real-life female spies—more realistic than Bond, but less glamorous. Mirren has consistently argued that instead of gender-swapping Bond, Hollywood should focus on stories about extraordinary women in espionage. The next Bond casting remains uncertain, especially with Amazon now overseeing the franchise.