Can ‘She’ be next 007 – Are we Asking…

Bond girl has travelled through the years with her hands full. In being created as a character who according to the director Terence Young is ‘the sort of woman that men dream about, but don’t exist’. Shas been a bond girl who has throughout been the love interest of the invincible James Bond. She has been shouldering a fantasised responsibility of being a physical fantasy for the audience, who has in one way or the other been rescued by Bond. By the end of the film, she has fallen for him for he has become her saviour and ideal man that she supposedly has been unconsciously waiting for all her life! She is supposed to be in dire need of rescue as her earlier association with men have made her alienated from because infliction of some sort of sexual violence. And this is where Bond comes in and help in come out of her misery during whole film. Her roles have changes with time, there is no doubt, but one thing has remained constant – the significant presence and aura of Man of the hour James Bond! He has been one constant character throughout the series.

However, the question now arises that with the change in cast of 007 to be a female, are we ready to accept the new arrival? Or is it also a one-off the rack incident of churning in more moolah for the makers to bring about this deliberate change to match up with “society trying to change”! Since Bond films very well tracked the changing times and have kept pace with changed culture, politics, and geographical outlines, do they feel there need to be a change in the over-sexualised representation of women in the industry since Bond films have been carrying the flag loud and proud since long!

What needs to be thought about is, despite bringing a vague sense of positive change in character development of bond girls, these has been not a single talk about bong being a woman up until now where the British actor Lashana Lynch is being roped in to be new 007 after Daniel Craig. Surprisingly she is an actor of colour as well which will fill the thirst of gap revolving around gender and race under representation in Bond movies! But the question here is there even a need to become the next female 007, whoever it is? Will it be sufficient to close this gap? Will there be any less discrimination or under representation by hyping this decision?  Is it the only parameter for a woman to reach where she again will have to be asked a question that, was she able to fill the shoes of ‘male’ 007 efficiently! If no, then we are back to square one of woman being unable to do justice to the absence of ‘real’ 007. If yes, then we all she ends up will be becoming a good replacement to the real 007! The comparisons will always be there.

The real worry is the possibility to lose the cause behind the publicity and glamor chaos. The question of basic discrimination of peaceful development of gender, colour, race and identity! One movie and one character swapping will not change the course of tide. It may or may not bring the acceptance in the eyes of people watching, however will be able to bring a lasting change in the overall perception? Do we agree that diamond are forever? This by far is way deeper thought to question and study further for there are so many different writings on the wall before the skyfall!