Dame Helen Mirren has dec lared James Bond must stay a man

She was quoted by the Daily Star Sunday replying: "No, it wouldn't work."

"There have been some amazing women who've worked in the secret services with incredible courage, but James Bond is a bloke. There's room for a great movie about a great female agent, but James Bond is James Bond."

The debate is still raging over who will next play 007 comes after Daniel Craig, 56, stepped down from the role following his final outing in No Time To Die in 2021.

It featured Lashana Lynch, 36, as the first female agent to be given the 007 designation.

Producers have confirmed a new film is in development under Amazon MGM Studios, which took control of the franchise following a £770 million deal announced earlier this year.

Pierce Brosnan, 72, who portrayed Bond in four films between 1995 and 2002, has also spoken about the casting.

The Irish actor told Saga magazine: "Oh, I think it has to be a man."

He added when asked for his advice to whoever takes on the role next: "I wish them well. I'm so excited to see the next man come on the stage and to see a whole new exuberance and life for this character. I adore the world of James Bond.

"It's been very good to me. It's the gift that keeps giving. And I'm just a member of the audience now, sitting back, saying: 'Show us what you're going to do'."

His comments represent a shift from his position in 2019, when he told The Hollywood Reporter a woman taking on the role would be "exciting" and "exhilarating", adding it was time to "put a woman up there".

Speculation over who will become the next Bond has included Aaron Taylor-Johnson, 34, known for Kick-Ass, as a frontrunner for the role.

Idris Elba, 51, Theo James, 39, and James Norton, 39, have also been named as possible candidates.

Earlier this year, Barbara Broccoli, 64, and Michael G. Wilson, 82 - the daughter and stepson of original Bond producer Albert "Cubby" Broccoli - confirmed they had handed creative control to Amazon MGM Studios.

It was a move that prompted concern among fans about the possible "Americanisation" and "woke-ification" of the British spy series.

The next Bond instalment will be directed by Denis Villeneuve, 56, whose credits include Dune. I

t will be produced by Amy Pascal, 66, and David Heyman, 62, with a screenplay by 65-year-old Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.