Sam Mendes says it’s time for a woman to direct next James Bond: ‘It has to evolve’-Rebecca Sayce-Entertainment – Metro

The Oscar-winning director has opened up on who he thinks should direct the next James Bond film (Picture: Amy Sussman / Getty Images)

Skyfall and Spectre director Sam Mendes has said it would be ‘wonderful’ to see a woman direct the next installment in the James Bond franchise.

While fans of the award-winning spy films have been debating on whether or not a female actor should play the next 007 following Daniel Craig’s exit, Mendes, 57, said it was time for a woman to step behind the camera.

Craig left the franchise after filming on No Time To Die wrapped, with a new actor for the famed role yet to be announced.

The Oscar-winning director praised Craig’s appearances in the franchise, which saw him star as the famous superspy across five films.

‘I don’t envy Barbara [Brocolli, producer] having to follow Daniel’s [Craig] five movies,’ Mendes told Deadline.

‘He reinvigorated the franchise, but the franchise is so huge that it’s very difficult for a younger actor to step into that.

The Skyfall and Spectre director has said the director of the films ‘has to evolve’ (Picture: Jeremy Chan / Getty Images)

Daniel Craig hung up his tuxedo and said goodbye to the role of James Bond after the latest installment, No Time To Die (Picture: Vivien Killilea / Getty Images for Netflix)

‘Let me rephrase that. I think that the actor playing Bond is going to evolve, the director has to evolve.

‘I think it would be wonderful to see a woman directing Bond. I think it would be wonderful.’

Since Craig’s departure, there has been mass speculation over whether a woman would be cast as 007, leading to a mixed reaction from fans.

The actor, 54, who had played the character since 2006, previously weighed in on the casting debate.

Speaking to Radio Times, he said there should ‘simply be better parts for women and actors of colour.’

Bond actor Daniel believes there needs to be better characters for women and actors of colour (Picture: MGM / Eon / Danjaq / UPI / Kobal / Shutterstock)

‘Why should a woman play James Bond when there should be a part just as good as James Bond, but for a woman?’

Producer Broccoli echoed the same sentiments in an interview with The Guardian, saying she believed Bond would ‘probably stay as a male’

‘He’s a male character. He was written as a male, and I think he’ll probably stay as a male,’ she said.

‘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.’

Idris Elba has denied claims he will be the next Bond (Picture: Tim P. Whitby / Getty Images)

Fan favourite pick for the role, Idris Elba, previously denied rumours he would be the next Bond.

Speaking with Metro.co.uk last year he said: ‘Well I would say… There is nothing to say.

‘I mean, it’s such a nice compliment to be considered, in most people’s opinion, to be the next James Bond. But that’s not a reality. So hey, it is what it is.’

Sources went on to tell The Sun that The Wire actor, 50, had walked away from the role, but had ‘put names forward’ in his place.

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