Why James Bond movies needed an older woman
FOR decades, he has been the epitome of British suavity, leaving women trailing in his wake. But James Bond is to finally meet his match: a Bond Girl his own age.
Sam Mendes, the director of the forthcoming film Spectre, has revealed the rationale behind casting Monica Bellucci as Daniel Craig’s love interest, saying their ages ‘‘make sense’’.
It follows years of famously wide age gaps between Bond and his conquests – up to 30 years in some films.
Speaking in a short film released to give an insight into Spectre’s female stars, Mendes said he had instantly thought of Bellucci, 50, for the role.
‘‘It makes sense in the story,’’ he said. ‘‘It makes sense with the ages of the characters we’re dealing with.
‘‘She’s an incredibly seductive presence in life and in the movie and I’m thrilled she’s in it.’’
Craig, the latest incarnation of Bond, is 47, putting the film among a small handful of 007 movies where the two leads are nearmatched.
Analysis by fans of the series has shown the average age of the actor playing Bond across all the films is 43.5 years, compared with 28.8 for female co-stars.
Bellucci has become the oldest actress to take the role, which was announced earlier this year.
She has confessed she initially thought she was being invited to audition for the role of M after 80-year-old Dame Judi Dench’s character was killed off in Skyfall.
She will play an ‘‘Italian widow with secrets’’ in Spectre, disclosing: ‘‘Her mafioso has been killed and she risks the same thing happening to her.’’
She will star alongside Lea Seydoux, 30, who plays doctor Madeleine Swann.
This is the first time Mendes has spelt out his rationale for the much-praised casting decision.
He added: ‘‘In respect of the two women who he [Bond] hooks up with, both have great mystery, they both have depths, and for that you need fantastic actresses. I just thought ‘Monica Bellucci’, you know?
‘‘[Then] Madeleine needed to be soulful, feisty and complicated and I think it’s a pivotal relationship.
‘‘It probably couldn’t be a total newcomer, it needed somebody with a bit of life experience and maturity.’’
In recent years, fans and film insiders have chosen to refer to Bond Women rather than the traditional Bond Girls.
Bellucci has previously revealed she told Mendes he would be a ‘‘hero among women’’ for his decision to cast her, saying the concept was ‘‘revolutionary’’.
Spectre is the 24th Bond film and will go on general release in the UK immediately after the London premiere on October 26.