Former James Bond star George Lazenby has come out against a female 007, saying: “It wouldn’t work.”
Speculation has been rife over who will replace Daniel Craig after he suggested the Bond movie currently in pre-production would be his last outing.
Some fans have called for Bond to follow the likes of favorites including “Dr. Who,” “Ghostbusters” and “Ocean’s Eight” and reinvent the character as a woman.
But speaking at his Santa Monica, California, home, Lazenby — who starred as Bond in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” in 1969 — came out against the idea.
The 79-year-old said: “I couldn’t care less [if there is a female Bond]. If you hit a woman, you get arrested, so it wouldn’t work.”
The Australian actor became the youngest ever to play 007 when he succeeded Sean Connery. He also is the only one to be nominated for a Golden Globe.
Despite receiving the nod for most promising male newcomer, Lazenby turned down a seven-movie deal and left Bond.
Last year he starred in a docudrama, “Becoming Bond,” about his life story and portrayal of the spy.
He has previously backed “Luther” actor Idris Elba to become the first black Bond.
Other front-runners for the role are thought to include “Night Manager” star Tom Hiddleston and “Bodyguard” actor Richard Madden.
Bond producer Barbara Broccoli appeared to rule out a female Bond last month.
She said: “Bond is male. He’s a male character. He was written as a male and I think he’ll probably stay as a male. And that’s fine. We don’t have to turn male characters into women. Let’s just create more female characters and make the story fit those female characters.”