X-Men Star Torpedoes Henry Cavill 007 Hopes, Claims Even Men Want a Female Bond

Another day, another round of James Bond what-if. This time it comes from Famke Janssen, who knows the 007 machine from the inside and has a pretty clear opinion about who should wear the tux next. Spoiler: she thinks it could be a woman. The folks who actually steer the franchise? Not so much. And somewhere in the middle sits Henry Cavill, still the internet’s favorite imaginary Bond, for better or worse.

Famke Janssen says a female Bond is overdue

Janssen made her mark as Jean Grey in the early X-Men movies, but Bond fans remember her as Xenia Onatopp in GoldenEye. In a new chat with Esquire, she said she’s been banging this drum since the 90s and is ready to see 007 flip the script. She’s even said before that she’d be down to be the first female Bond herself.

I’m glad that conversation is finally happening. I’ve always said it. I’ve advocated for it since I appeared in GoldenEye. It’s a franchise that has been around for sixty years. They’ve reinvented themselves many times. I would love to see a Bond movie with a female Bond. It would be absolutely amazing. I imagine that a lot of women would feel the same way and, probably, men too.

That take will thrill some people and probably set off the Henry Cavill hive, who have been waiting for him to swoop in since Daniel Craig bowed out with No Time To Die.

The producer’s view: not happening

Here’s the reality check. Producer Barbara Broccoli, who decides these things, told The Hollywood Reporter that 007 will remain male. Her priority is building new, formidable women in the Bond world, not swapping James for Jane.

I think [the next James Bond] will be a man because I don’t think a woman should play James Bond. I believe in making characters for women and not just having women play men’s roles.

Translation: a female Bond is not on the table right now. But expect more prominent, fully formed female characters alongside him going forward. That’s the plan.

So where does that leave Henry Cavill?

Post-Craig, Cavill has been the fan-favorite pick. Does he need the role? Not exactly. Would it help? Probably.

Recent box office runs like Argylle and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare didn’t explode the way anyone hoped. His Warhammer 40K universe has been quiet publicly, even while it’s still a passion project at Amazon. He’s also deep into the Highlander reboot. In other words, he’s busy, but not quite hitting the grand-slam moment he seemed destined for back in his Superman days. Landing Bond would put him back at the absolute center of the pop-culture conversation, whether he technically needs it or not.

Quick refresher: No Time To Die

• Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga
• Main cast: Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Lea Seydoux, Lashana Lynch, Ben Whishaw
• Rotten Tomatoes: 83% critics, 88% audience
• Box office: $774 million worldwide
• Streaming: Prime Video (US)

Where do you land on this? Should Bond stay Bond, or is it time to hand the codename to a woman? And does Cavill need 007 more than 007 needs Cavill? Tell me in the comments.