Helen Mirren: 'James Bond must be a man'

Helen Mirren, despite identifying as a feminist, believes that the next James Bond should be played by a male actor.

In an interview with 'Saga' magazine, the Oscar-winning actress stated: 'I am such a feminist, but James Bond has to be a man. That's it. It can't be a woman. It just doesn't work. James Bond has to be James Bond, otherwise it is something else'.

Amazon MGM Studios will produce the new film in the spy series, with Steven Knight, creator of 'Peaky Blinders', writing the script.

Mirren stars in the mystery film 'The Thursday Murder Club' alongside Pierce Brosnan, who agrees that the role of James Bond should remain male.

Among the frontrunners for the role of Agent 007 are Aaron Taylor-Johnson and James Norton.