Jemima Bond? Waltz slams idea of a female 007

CHRISTOPH Waltz has attacked the idea of casting an actress in the role of James Bond.

‘Why? Because [Italian feminist journalist] Oriana Fallaci said so? Come on. Have your own movie if you want,’ the actor, 61, told website Mr Porter.

‘Why does it have to be James Bond? What would be her first name? Jemima? My answer is decidedly not.’

The Austrian-German native was described by the magazine as ‘playfully incensed’ by the suggestion ‘that in the post-Weinstein era a female Bond might have some merit’.

Of claims that movie mogul Harvey Weinstein was sexually aggressive towards actresses, Waltz said: ‘I don’t think my contribution or opinion about intolerable behaviour is in any way required.’

He went on to say, of the American version of English: ‘It’s gruesome. But there are some Americanisms that have such an efficiency of communication. It’s proper English, just leaner. When you open a paper in England, you can almost hear the hot potatoes in their mouths.’

The Inglourious Basterds actor is known for not suffering fools gladly in interviews. Speaking to Mr Porter, he opened up to the publication about his career, directing matters away from his personal life.

His next movie is the Alexander Payne-directed Downsizing, which goes on release in Ireland next month.

He is also tipped to appear in the next James Bond film, having appeared as Ernst Stavro Blofeld in 2015’s Spectre.

Although he denies those rumours, it’s worth noting that he denied any involvement in Spectre ahead of its release.