As the highly-anticipated new Bond film arrives in theatres across the United Kingdom on Thursday 30th, new director Cary Fukanaga projected his thoughts about the earlier films, especially those that included Sean Connery as Bond in the 1960s.
Fukanaga called Connery’s character ‘basically’ a rapist whilst being interviewed for the Hollywood Reporter. Fukanaga recalls in the earlier films and from a modern perspective, Connery plays a sexually violent character, who asserts his masculinity over women in a very controlling and dominant manner.
“Is it Thunderball or Goldfinger where, like, basically Sean Connery’s character rapes a woman?”
It is expected that Fukanaga is referring to one of the first scenes in Thunderball. There is a troubling moment in this 1965 film, where Bond meets a nurse called Patricia Fearing played by Molly Peters. Bond forces a kiss on her which Fearing attempts to reject. Fearing calls out “….oh no!” With a smirk Bond begins to undress her and pushes her towards the steam room replying “Oh yes.”
“She’s like “No, no, no,” and he’s like “Yes, yes, yes.” That wouldn’t fly today”. Fukanaga remarks on the scene.
As the world changes, Bond needs to change too. Fukanaga seeks to empower feminity in No Time To Die and “give them equity.”
The new film’s producer, Barbara Broccoli agrees it’s time to change this manipulative and violent character of Bond. For Bond to continue to be relevant in our present society.
Barbara comments: “I think people are coming around – with some kicking and screaming – to accepting that stuff is no longer acceptable. Thank goodness. Bond is a character who was written in 1952 and the first film came out in 1962.”
Dr. Lisa Funnell, who teaches a course on gender believes that in popular culture, “James Bond is known for his sexual magnetism and ability to attract women … his use of deception, intimidation, and sexual violence to accomplishing his professional and personal goals.”
Bond was created in a different world, and in order to be ahead of the times, Bond must adapt to its audience.
Let us hope No Time To Die sets a new standard for this infamous character that has been a favorite at the box office for nearly 60 years.
