"I think it should be a woman”—When Cillian Murphy expressed the iconic James Bond should be portrayed by a female lead

Cillian Murphy, a name synonymous with acting finesse, is no novice to iconic roles. Whether it be portraying Thomas Shelby in Peaky Blinders or the titular character in the blockbuster Oppenheimer, he has no left no leaf unturned to prove his acting prowess. Therefore, linking his name to the portrayal of already-existing legendary characters should not come as a surprise.

One such character is James Bond, the fictional British spy created by Ian Fleming in 1953. Bond works for MI6 with the code name 007. Several actors, like Sean Connery and Daniel Craig, have portrayed him.

That being said, fans have wondered if Murphy is interested in playing James Bond. In an interview with The Guardian in 2019, the Irish actor addressed the question with a unique point of view.

"I think it should be a woman, which rules me out," he said.

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When Cillian Murphy shared his unique stance on the portrayal of James Bond

Cillian Murphy strongly supports the idea of a female James Bond. This comment demonstrates his belief in breaking traditional norms in cinema and bringing fresh perspectives to iconic characters.

Murphy avoided speculating who should take the role, but his support for a gender shift highlights his progressive outlook. By suggesting this change, he aligns with the industry's increasing emphasis on inclusivity and representation.

“There’s two things I’ll say about that. Firstly, there’s a whole other industry which is completely separate from the film side of things, and that’s the bookies. The second thing I’d say is that I think it should be a woman, which rules me out,” the actor said.

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However, Pierce Brosnan thinks Cillian Murphy will do "a magnificent job as James Bond"

A still of Cillian Murphy. (Image via The Late Show with Stephen Colbert)

Pierce Brendan Brosnan is an Irish actor and film producer. He was the fifth actor to play the fictional secret agent James Bond in the James Bond film series. Speaking at the Oscar Wilde Awards, Pierce Brosnan expressed that he strongly believed that Cillian Murphy would excel as James Bond.

Furthermore, Brosnan called Murphy "magnificent" and said:

“Cillian would do a magnificent job as James Bond.”

Brosnan’s endorsement came from his deep appreciation of Murphy's acting talent and his ability to convey intensity and depth on screen. The actor, who played Bond in iconic films like GoldenEye and Die Another Day, sees Murphy as a fitting successor to the legacy of 007. He noted Murphy’s versatility and charisma, which align with the demands of the Bond role.

Despite the praise, Murphy played down the idea of taking on the role. The Oppenheimer star told reporters while walking the red carpet at the event hosted by the US-Ireland Alliance that in his opinion, he is not fit in terms of age to play the cultural icon.

“I think I’m a bit old for that,” he noted during the event.

All in all, this discourse highlights Murphy’s respect for evolving cinematic traditions and his grounded approach to his craft, even when endorsed for such an iconic character.