Former Bond Girl Gemma Arterton Says Female 007 Would Be ‘Too Outrageous’: ‘Sometimes You Just Have to Respect the Tradition’

As a cinephile with a rich tapestry of experiences under my belt, I find myself deeply moved by the candid reflections of Gemma Arterton, a fellow traveler in the world of cinema. Her insights into the industry’s evolution, particularly regarding gender roles and on-set practices, resonate strongly with me.

Actress Gemma Arterton, known for her role in “Quantum of Solace,” voiced her thoughts on the possibility of a female James Bond. Comparing it to Mary Poppins being played by a man, she expressed that such a transformation might be seen as too unconventional and that, at times, tradition should be respected.

Arterton, who played Strawberry Fields in the 2008 Bond film alongside Daniel Craig, also expressed puzzlement at how the role has followed her career: “I don’t regret doing a Bond film, but I am perplexed why it has followed me around. I was only in the film for five minutes.”

38-year-old actress, fresh from her role opposite Ian McKellen in “The Critic”, openly discussed the transformation of filming practices, focusing on intimate scenes. She recounted an incident where she was unexpectedly given a sex scene with little warning, saying it was more like, “This is what we’re doing next,” and she went along with it. She emphasized that such occurrences wouldn’t happen today due to the presence of intimacy coordinators, who help ensure respectful and well-prepared handling of sensitive scenes.

Speaking about existing precautions in the industry, Arterton emphasized the availability of assistance networks, such as confidential hotlines listed on filming schedules. “In case of any harassment or mistreatment, there are resources readily accessible for reporting,” she explained.

The actress talked about making “The Critic” while pregnant, praising the crew’s accommodating attitude. She explained that they were able to work around her pregnancy, resulting in many scenes where she held objects to hide her growing belly. As the movie progressed, her pregnancy became more noticeable.

Regarding Ian McKellen’s accidental tumble from the stage during “The Player Kings” in London’s West End, Arterton commented: “It was quite a tumble and, being an elder actor, he’s taking some time to heal. He’s like Peter Pan – ever young at heart. It served as a bit of a reminder for us all.

Arterton, who resides in Sussex together with her husband actor Rory Keenan and their son, has opted to lower her professional commitments during the child’s formative years. Moreover, she’s kept herself detached from social media platforms like Instagram for quite some time now, expressing that “actors ought to preserve a touch of enigma.

Additionally, she voiced her viewpoint regarding class diversity within the arts sector, lamenting the suggestion she should drop her Kent accent during drama school training. “I strongly support bringing more individuals from working-class backgrounds into the arts,” she declared, “as we bring valuable contributions to the field.

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2024-12-11 14:47