Gay James Bond movie opposed by public
Daniel Craig poses with the Brandenburg Gate behind during a photocall prior the German premiere of the new James Bond movie ‘Spectre’ at Hotel Adlon on October 28, 2015 in Berlin, Germany. (Sean Gallup/Getty for Sony Pictures)
A poll has found that the public are more opposed to a gay incarnation of James Bond than a woman or black actor taking the role.
The Hollywood Reporter/Morning Consult poll asked 2,000 Americans for their views potential future depictions of the British spy in the franchise, following the departure of actor Daniel Craig.
The poll found that 52 percent of people opposed the portrayal of “a gay James Bond” in a future movie, with 28 percent supporting the idea.
By comparison, only 29 percent of people were opposed to a black James Bond, and only 26 percent of people opposed the reinvention of the quintessentially-British character as an American.
The polling shows the public is most opposed to a gay James Bond (Morning Consult)
37 percent of people supported a female James Bond, with 48 percent opposed.
While 52 percent of people were opposed to a gay depiction of Bond, just 27 percent of respondents said they see every Bond movie, and only 38 percent of people saw the latest addition to the franchise, Spectre—suggesting that people who do not watch James Bond films were nonetheless opposed to a gay re-imagining of the character.
Unsurprisingly, 2016 Donald Trump voters were strongly opposed to any depiction of James Bond other than that of a straight, white man.
69 percent of Trump voters opposed a gay James Bond, and 68 percent said they opposed any kind of diverse reboot—although 57 percent of Trump voters were in support of an American James Bond.
Daniel Craig as James Bond in a promotional image
The strongest support for a gay James Bond comes from the Generation Z (18-21) age demographic, with 44 percent supporting a gay James Bond and 34 percent opposed.
By comparison, only 21 percent of Boomers (54-72) supported a gay Bond, while 59 percent were opposed.
Gay James Bond suggestions have split the film’s stas
Former Bond star Roger Moore previously dismissed suggestions that the famous womaniser could have a dalliance with a man in a future film.
Speaking in 2015, he said: “I don’t know how it would work. I don’t think Barbara [Broccoli, producer of every Bond film since 1993’s Octopussy] would allow a gay Bond to happen in her lifetime.
“But it would certainly make for interesting viewing.”
Roger Moore (Will Oliver/AFP/Getty)
Moore clarified to the Daily Mail: “It is not about being homophobic or, for that matter, racist—it is simply about being true to the character.”
However, Bond star Daniel Craig took a difference stance.
Asked about the possibility of a same-sex romance or a woman-led reboot, he said: “Anything’s possible. You can do anything as long as it’s credible and it works. It doesn’t matter.”
Broccoli shut down talk of a female depiction of the character in a Guardian interview in October 2018.
“Bond is male,” she said. “He’s a male character. He was written as a male and I think he’ll probably stay as a male.
“And that’s fine. We don’t have to turn male characters into women. Let’s just create more female characters and make the story fit those female characters.”
