If some fans had their wish, we would get the first "Bond, Jane Bond" in 'X-Files' star Gillian Anderson.

While still awaiting official word that Daniel Craig will no longer play 007, reports have been going around that Craig turned down a lucrative offer to sign on for two more films.  While odds makers show 'Thor' actor Tom Hiddleston as the current favorite for the role after he reportedly met with the producers, other names like Idris Elba have been regular fan favorites.  However, Gillian Anderson threw her name into the hat by tweeting a picture of herself in front of the iconic gun barrel with #NextBond, to much fan appreciation.

With recent controversy of misogynistic complaints against the new Ghostbusters film, many have supported the idea of Anderson as Bond not only for her acting ability, but the message it would send.  NYMag.com wrote,

It would make the backlash to the all-female Ghostbusters look polite. Because, unlike the Ghostbusters, who were only men because men tend to write male characters, Bond’s masculinity is part of his identity. It’s what makes him an icon. He likes women, booze, and cars. He’s dedicated to protecting his country and fiercely loyal to his friends. Men want to be him, and women … you know the rest. Bond isn’t just a man — he’s a “man’sman.”

So what would happen if James became Jane? The fanboys would revolt. They’d say the world is going to s*** because a movie character changed from a suit to a pantsuit. A woman driving an Aston Martin and saving the world from imminent destruction? It can’t be! Forget whether Anderson would be the best choice for Bond — by the way, whatever happened to Idris Elba? — hissy fits thrown by offended fans crying into their martinis are reason enough to embrace her casting. She already has.

While the writer from NYMag.com may be taking the sarcastic approach to fan reactions, he did make a good point that we should consider: "Bond's masculinity is part of his identity."  While the sexists decrying the new Ghostbusters movie for their genders are saying, "Women can't be Ghostbusters!" (which they can be and have been), the question here isn't if a woman can be a 00 agent.  As a matter of fact, we've already encountered several female agents of the 00 section in Bond movies and books.  The question isn't if a woman can be a particular profession, it is if a woman can be a character that has been synonymous with masculinity.  Just as a character like Shaft if synonymous with his ethnicity, is the character of James Bond so connected to masculinity that to make the character a woman would inherently change the character completely?

And gender aside, is 47-year-old Anderson too old to play an elite secret agent for more than a single film?

What do you think about a female Bond?  Let us know in the comments below!

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