With Eva Green (Vesper Lynd) celebrating a birthday today, it’s an opportunity to consider Bond Girls of the past, as well as potential Bond Girls of the future. With odds being published on who the next James Bond will be, can we not also begin to consider the candidates for the next Bond girl? Of course we can.
Our list of six. here, is a provisional one and based on three basic criteria.
1. Attractiveness (of course). But what constitutes this? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so we’ll put a high premium on those actresses who are not only stunning but also have international appeal.
2. Career path. Does playing a Bond Girl fit well with the actress’s career arc? In general, A-list actresses don’t play Bond girls; Halle Berry is the only exception to this rule.
3. Most importantly, is she the right “fit” for a Bond film? We have no idea what the story is for Bond 25, but after 24 official EON-produced films, fans have a pretty good idea of who’s right and who isn’t for playing a Bond girl.
So, on to our list–which is alphabetical, by the way.
Morena Baccarin
Age: 38
Credits: Deadpool; Gotham
Type of Bond Girl: combination of Camille Montes and Melina Havelock
A veteran of television, Baccarin made the jump to Box Office success with 2016’s Deadpool. She is currently filming the sequel. Baccarin’s striking mix of Brazilian/Italian ancestry makes her a perfect Bond Girl candidate.
Emily Blunt
Age: 34
Credits: Sicario; The Girl on the Train
Type of Bond Girl: combination of Tracy di Vicenzo and Solitaire
With this selection we may be ignoring the second criterion. In no way is Blunt at the “right place” in her career to play a Bond girl. She is already an established, A-lister. However, she makes this list because EON may be looking for a British female heavyweight to play the part. It would be about time.
Violante Placido
Age: 41
Credits: The American
Type of Bond Girl: combination of Lucia Sciarra and Natalia Simonova
If EON wants to go a little older, Placido is in a good spot. The Italian actress/singer has limited experience in American-produced films. However, as Clara in The American, her only foray into mainstream Hollywood cinema, she played a Bond-girl type role and passed that test with flying colors.
Pom Klementieff
Age: 31
Credits: Oldboy; Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Type of Bond Girl: combination of Wai Lin and Severine
There is precedence for a Bond girl of Asian descent, and there is little doubt that Klementieff’s role as Mantis in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is about to shoot her career skyward. Indeed, she is already moving into other Marvel films. She has the right “exotic” look and accent for a Bond Girl, and she is in the right position in her career to be cast.
Ruth Negga
Age: 35
Credits: World War Z; Loving
Type of Bond Girl: combination of Jinx and Dr. Holly Goodhead
With her role in Loving, Negga’s career took a huge leap forward. The Ethiopian/Irish actress exudes sophistication and may be right if the next Bond girl is asked to match wits with Bond and Mi6.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Age: 32
Credits: 10 Cloverfield Lane; Fargo
Type of Bond Girl: combination of Pam Bouvier and Vesper Lynd
No American actress has played a Bond girl since Halle Berry, in Die Another Day. If EON needs an American to play the role, who might that be? Winstead is a good choice, here. Currently starring in Fargo, Winstead has shed her image as a queen of horror films and is heading toward more substantial roles. Variety has gone so far as to suggest she is a scene-stealer.
No doubt, there are many others who could fit the bill. Who do you see as contenders?