Monica Bellucci, known for her role as Lucia in the 2015 James Bond film *Spectre*, recently opened up about her experience as a Bond girl during an interview. In the movie, she starred alongside Daniel Craig, who played the iconic spy, 007. The film’s ensemble cast included Christoph Waltz, Léa Seydoux, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, and Dave Bautista. Bellucci’s casting sparked considerable discussion at the time due to her age, as she became the oldest Bond girl in the franchise’s history. She did not reprise her role in *No Time to Die*, Craig’s final outing as Bond.
Speaking with *Vanity Fair*, Bellucci shared her reflections on her groundbreaking role in *Spectre*. When her agent informed her that director Sam Mendes was interested in casting her for a James Bond film, she initially assumed she was being considered for the role of M. However, she was surprised to learn that Mendes wanted her for the role of a Bond girl, marking her as “the oldest Bond lady ever.” Bellucci described this casting choice as “kind of revolutionary,” signaling a shift in the industry’s perception of women. Here is Bellucci’s full quote:
“For many actresses, appearing in a Bond movie is something of a secret dream. What happened to me was quite amusing. My agent called and said, ‘Monica, do you want to laugh? Sam Mendes wants to meet you for James Bond.’ At the time, I was 50, so I thought, ‘He wants to meet me for M?’ I was thrilled at the idea of playing M, given my admiration for Dame Judi Dench. But my agent clarified, Mendes wanted to meet me for a Bond girl role, Donna Lucia Sciarra, making me the oldest Bond lady ever.
Being in the film at my age was revolutionary. It was truly something new for a mature woman to be associated with James Bond, especially since Daniel Craig is younger than I am. It demonstrates that we’re entering a new era where women have significant societal impact. This movie serves as an example.”
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In the 1990s and 2000s, female roles in the Bond franchise became more elevated and sophisticated. Bellucci was 50 when cast as Lucia, surpassing the previous record held by Honor Blackman, who portrayed Pussy Galore at 37, by a remarkable 13 years. Bellucci’s age, four years senior to Craig’s, underscores her assertion that perceptions are evolving to include more “mature” women in sexualized roles within the Bond films.
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Bellucci’s casting is not the only unconventional direction the modern James Bond films have taken. Historically, the role of M, the head of the Secret Intelligence Service, was portrayed by male actors like Bernard Lee and Robert Brown. However, in 1995, the Bond universe took a bold step by casting the esteemed Judi Dench as M, a role she held until *Skyfall*, when Ralph Fiennes succeeded her.
The casting choices of Bellucci and Dench in the post-1990s Bond films illustrate the evolving portrayal of women on screen. As the franchise looks ahead to the yet-untitled Bond 26, there is potential for further innovation, such as casting a woman in the 007 role. Nevertheless, based on producer Barbara Broccoli’s criteria, the next Bond will likely be a young male actor in his late 20s or early 30s. Even with a male Bond, it remains intriguing to see how Broccoli and her team will approach casting other significant roles.
Lashana Lynch’s portrayal of Nomi, the first female 007 agent in *No Time to Die*, marks a significant milestone.
Source: *Vanity Fair*
Spectre
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The twenty-fourth installment in Eon's James Bond series, Spectre follows Bond (Daniel Craig) as he encounters a new threat to global security. After a mission goes wrong, Bond ends up on the trail of a shadowy organization with ties to countless governments and influential figures. With MI6 compromised by those working toward an unknown goal, Bond must rely on his instincts as an agent to root out the truth.
