Casting Idris Elba as James Bond, making him the first black 007, would be a bold move. But fans on Twitter are asking a question that makes that idea look old-fashioned by comparison: Why not make Bond a woman?
If MGM is listening, two actresses have made it clear they’re up for the job: Priyanka Chopra and Gillian Anderson.
Chopra, who plays an FBI recruit on the show Quantico, expressed her interest bluntly in an interview with Complex, which asked her if she agreed she’d make a great Bond Girl.
“I get that all the time,” she responded. “But f*** that—I wanna be Bond.”
Gillian Anderson was more subtle about it. Ever since Daniel Craig made it clear he wouldn’t be returning as 007, Anderson has been among the top choices fans have honored on Twitter with the tag #NextBond. One person went as far as to craft a Bond movie poster with Anderson front and center, and the X-Files actress retweeted it.
“It’s Bond. Jane Bond,” Anderson wrote in the caption. “Thanks for all the votes! (And sorry, I don’t know who made poster but I love it!)”
So why not? Both actresses have played tough, intelligent government agents—or at least agents in training. American culture is rapidly changing. If the country is ready for Hillary Clinton, it may well be ready for Jane Bond.