‘Ballerina’ Star Ana de Armas Calls for More Original Female Action Films; Says Bond Should ‘Let James Be James’

by

Ana de Armas prefers seeing more movies similar to her upcoming bare-knuckle action film “Ballerina,” and feels it’s better to create new, original roles instead of altering established characters such as James Bond by changing their gender.

At CinemaCon, De Armas is actively promoting her upcoming “John Wick” spinoff from Lionsgate. She recently spoke with EbMaster about the discussions ignited this week by actress Helen Mirren.

The iconic actress, well-known for her work on both stage and screen, has shared with the UK’s Guardian that she has always disliked how women were portrayed in the James Bond series. She stated that the basis of the multi-billion dollar spy franchise is deeply rooted in sexism.

Or, more concisely:

The renowned actress criticized the depiction of women in the James Bond franchise, stating it as a product steeped in sexism.

In the 2021 Bond film “No Time to Die,” Ana de Armas delivered a standout performance as Paloma, a character who defied the conventions of Bond Girls. Not only did she elicit the movie’s most hearty laughs, but she also kept pace with Daniel Craig in action scenes involving firearms and hand-to-hand combat. Remarkably, she even managed to save his character during their shared scenes while he was dressed in a Tom Ford suit.

Or simply:

In the film “No Time to Die,” Ana de Armas’s character Paloma broke away from typical Bond Girl stereotypes. She brought the biggest laughs of the movie, fought effectively alongside Daniel Craig in combat scenes, and even saved his life while he was wearing a Tom Ford suit.

Why aren’t there more films featuring Paloma? Let James be James and John Wick be John Wick. We’ve got our own unique projects,” de Armas explained during her visit to The John Wick Experience, an interactive pop-up that lets fans explore the famous Continental Hotel from the Keanu Reeves movies. “When a woman takes on fighting roles, you’ll be amazed by what she can accomplish.

The Oscar-nominated individual additionally pointed out that the universe of Bond storytelling has the potential for fresh narratives since its long-standing producers have passed control to Amazon MGM, opening up new opportunities.

Barbara Broccoli and Robert Wilson likely made the wisest choice for James Bond. Regardless of where the story goes in the future, they have the freedom to take it in any creative direction [from the world of Ian Fleming’s spy novels].

During Lionsgate’s Monday showcase at the yearly gathering of movie theater owners, de Armas demonstrated that “Ballerina” serves as a top-notch model for the type of action movies starring women that she believes should be available in the market.

In her role as Eve Maccaro, a former dancer turned assassin seeking vengeance for her father’s demise, De Armas portrays a tough (yet strikingly glamorous) character, absorbing punches to the face and narrowly avoiding axe attacks to the head. The actress shared with EbMaster that her rigorous preparation and filming schedule were unforgiving, with a focus on managing calories and promoting recovery.

At this advanced training stage, every aspect matters: nutrition, rest, massages, physical therapy. Skipping proper recovery can put you at a disadvantage because the workload is so tough,” she explained.

The movie titled “Ballerina,” featuring actors Keanu Reeves, Lance Reddick, Ian McShane, and Anjelica Huston, will be available in theaters across the country starting June 6.

Read More

2025-04-03 03:22