James Bond turns 60
It’s time for a super villain
Grace Jones made a lasting impression as May Day in A View To A Kill.
© imago/United Archives
James Bond and women – a love-hate relationship for 60 years now. But how would it be if a woman were to appear as a major opponent?
On October 5, 1962, an unprecedented success story began with “James Bond – 007 chases Dr. No”. Whether Sean Connery (1930-2020), George Lazenby (83), Roger Moore (1927-2017), Timothy Dalton (76), Pierce Brosnan (69) or most recently Daniel Craig (54): About a femme fatale deficiency in none of the previous Bond actors was allowed to complain about their respective screen secret assignments. But as memorable as Grace Jones (74) as May Day (“In the Face of Death”), Famke Janssen (57) as Xenia Onatopp (“GoldenEye”) or Lotte Lenya (1898-1981) as Rosa Klebb (“From Moscow with Love “) have been – none of them have made it to the top of 007 villainy in 25 films.
So far, at the end of every “Bond” film, there has always been a megalomaniac man to get rid of. He received sometimes more and sometimes less active support from a female henchman. Most of the time, however, 007 was able to convince them of the good cause with his license to seduce – or eliminate them halfway. But why shouldn’t a woman long for the end of the world as the big puller of the strings? In any case, there would not be a lack of potential candidates: A selection of actresses who could spit in Bond’s martini, which is worth seeing.
Charlize Theron
A good Bond antithesis should be theatrical and “over the top” on the one hand, and on the other hand it should radiate credible manic danger. Neither is a problem for Charlize Theron (47): In the “Fast & Furious” series, as a diabolical cipher, she is probably the only person who would not welcome Vin Diesel (55) into his family. In the drama “Monster”, on the other hand, she proved that evil is multi-layered. And by the way: Since “Mad Max: Fury Road” we all know that Theron could also physically wipe the floor with any 007.
Tilda Swinton
Tilda Swinton (61) is an actress who would make an outstanding villain for a “James Bond” film simply because of her visual versatility. Don’t get me wrong, she would also be perfect for the part as an actor. Your Bond villain might be one of the flamboyant and/or elite variety. Similar to how she already embodied it in the sci-fi film “Snowpiercer”.
Helena Bonham Carter
Unpredictable, manic and highly cunning – this is how “Harry Potter” monster Helena Bonham Carter (56) could defend herself against Bond. She would probably be one of those characters who, without batting an eyelash, kills her own followers when they have lost out to Bond one too many times. For example with an electric shock chair like in “Feuerball” – plus a white cat on your lap!
Glenn Close
Glenn Close (75) was also allowed to show her heartless side on the screen. If you can credibly embody a character who wants to tailor an outfit from “101 Dalmatians”, you also buy the longing for the apocalypse. At 75, Close could portray the influential gray eminence whose misanthropy has been allowed to mature for many decades. Of course, others would have to do the dirty work, she doesn’t get her hands dirty herself.
Cate Blanchett
Cate Blanchett (53) was one of the bright spots in the increasingly slapstick “Thor” franchise in “Day of Decision”. And that despite the fact that she came across as abysmally evil as Hela and just wanted to conjure up the Twilight of the Gods. For Bond and thus without supernatural powers, one would easily buy the calculating mastermind that is always one step ahead of 007 – up to the finale, of course.
Lena Headey
The most hated woman in all of Westeros could easily pass as Bond’s nemesis. As Cersei Lannister, Lena Headey (49) showed her best game of intrigues in “Game of Thrones”, skillfully outplayed her opponents and did not shy away from contract mass murder. The way she blew up large parts of her hometown of Königsmund and her rival Margaery Tyrell (Natalie Dormer, 40) with wildfire is more than worthy of a Bond villain.
Rosamund Pike
The best thing about Rosamund Pike (43): She has already proven in a “Bond” film that she can portray the apparently blonde innocence in person with a dark core. In Die Another Day, however, she was only allowed to act as a sidekick double agent – quite a waste. She also proved how good she is at being bad in Gone Girl and I Care a Lot. Time for a second chance? It is a well-known fact that Bond dies twice…
Diane Kruger
A special tradition should also be honored with a female Bond opponent – a villain made in Germany! The perfect mix for this would be Diane Kruger (46). As an actress born in Lower Saxony, she would not have to fake a German accent. As a seasoned Hollywood star, she is also self-confident enough to be able to credibly stand up to any upcoming MI6 agent.