Jimmy Bond
Ignoring my own opinions on the subject, this entry is about an article I read concerning the possibility of a gay James Bond. As in the character being gay, not the actor who plays him. It also mentions one actress discussing the possibility of a future female or black James Bond.
I have never watched any Bond movies or read any Bond books, but from what I know about the series, though there are several actors portraying Bond, they are all performing the same man. I can live with that. I wish the Star Wars movies were going to do that, but it sound like Episode VII will still have the same old actors portraying the same characters.
What I find annoying is that the people discussing this don't want to preserve the character. If its the same character through all the movies, how can he suddenly be gay? At the very least, he would have to be bisexual, otherwise one of the necessary ingredients of a Bond movie would have to be left out (Because from what I've heard, you can't have a Bond movie without a Bond girl). For that matter, how can he suddenly be female? Even if he became a transvestite, wouldn't he start going by "Jamie Bond" or something like that? And if he can't say 'Bond. James Bond', then you take away yet another fundamental element of Bond movies.
Sort of like that new Sherlock Holmes show with a female Watson. Why? If you want a female sidekick for Holmes, then name her something other than Watson, because he's just as much an icon as Holmes is. People have a distinct idea of what Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote, and when you fiddle with it for what appears to be little more than a desire to diversify, it comes off as cheap pandering.
I am no Bond fan, but I am in favor of preserving popular characters. Daniel Craig seems to agree. The reason there can't be a gay Bond is because Bond isn't gay. (And he proves it in every single movie) And for legacy's sake, if you're going to give Sherlock Holmes a sidekick, well, by golly, make it a British doctor character. Preferably with a mustache, and rather rotund. Because that's who Dr. Watson is.
BTW, I don't watch either of these, (I seldom watch any new TV shows. Though I like NCIS and JAG before it.) this is just a thought I had.
And for my sake, please don't start discussing anything controversial. This entry is about the preservation of popular literary (and I suppose cinematic) characters in their film and television adaptations, not sexuality, race, gender, or anything else. Start discussing it, and I'll boil you in oil or something. Maybe tar and feathers, but I think I would prefer keeping my pillows intact.
I'll think of something.
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