This sparked much conversation among fans and critics alike, with many wondering what it would have been like to see her as James Bond.
The acclaimed Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie admitted that she had previously turned down the chance to appear as a Bond girl in the venerable “James Bond” film series. Jolie, well-known for taking on various roles and giving thrilling performances, had more lofty ambitions and set her sights on taking on the title role of James Bond.
The turning point came in 2006 with the release of “Casino Royale,” which introduced Daniel Craig as a younger and grittier incarnation of James Bond. Jolie was a prominent contender for the part of Bond girl Vesper Lynd; however, Eva Green ultimately won the part.
According to reports, Jolie was personally invited to take the role without even going through the audition process, highlighting her prominence as a highly sought-after actress. Jolie, however, turned down the opportunity because she felt awkward being referred to as the Bond girl.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, she shared, “It started with a call from Amy [Pascal, co-chairman of Sony Pictures]. She asked if I wanted to play a Bond girl. I said, ‘No, I’m not comfortable with that, but I would like to play Bond.’ We laughed, and then, about a year later, she called back and said, ‘I think I found it.’”
The role Pascal had in mind for Jolie was that of Evelyn Salt in the movie “Salt,” a spy thriller that aligned more closely with Jolie’s preference for strong and dynamic female characters. In an interview acquired by Contact Music, the actress explained, “Salt is nothing like Bond.”
“In so many films, women are femme fatales, and we wanted to avoid that. My character doesn’t use her sexuality to get anything. It’s the roughest I’ve looked. When we fight, it gets ugly. Somebody breaks my nose in the film. It’s not pretty.”
She continued, “I think when people write things for women – at least with the films I’ve done in the past, such as Tomb Raider – they’re not serious. They’re not raw. They’re not hard. So when we wanted a real female action hero, we looked towards something that wasn’t written for a woman.”
It’s interesting to note that media and fan conversation has focused on the idea of a female James Bond replacing Daniel Craig. Craig’s personal position on the subject was among the differing viewpoints that were expressed regarding the idea.
In a recent interview with Radio Times, Craig stated, “There should simply be better parts for women and actors of color. Why should a woman play James Bond when there should be a part just as good as James Bond, but for a woman?”
Jolie’s decision to turn down the Bond girl part and her desire to play James Bond herself give us a peek at her persistent will to break down barriers and question conventional gender roles in the film industry.
Her dedication to portraying strong and complex female characters continues to attract viewers all over the world, despite the fact that her dream of being James Bond may never come true.