We’re patiently waiting for the next Bond movie No Time To Die, mainly because it will include writing from Phoebe Waller-Bridge. The Fleabag writer has previously said that she will make the female characters ‘feel like real people’ as opposed to a more stereotypical portrayal.
‘It's mainly about making them feel like real people, which they do in the previous films,’ she said earlier this year. ‘I think Daniel's films have had really fantastic Bond girls and it's about keeping that up.’
Now, Daniel Craig has said that he asked for Waller-Bridge to be included in the project because she’s talented, not because she’s a woman. When Craig was asked about hiring Phoebe Waller-Bridge in an interview with The Sunday Times, he had a lot to say.
'She has been asked many times about what she is going to do, and her answer is that we're not really going to change anything He’s James Bond. But, of course, it’s a different angle to come at…’ he said, before changing tack.
‘Look, we're having a conversation about Phoebe's gender here, which is f**king ridiculous. She's a great writer. Why shouldn't we get Phoebe onto Bond? That's the answer to that. I know where you're going, but I don't actually want to have that conversation.
‘I know what you're trying to do, but it's wrong. It's absolutely wrong. She's a f**king great writer. One of the best English writers around. I said, “Can we get her on the film?” That's where I came from.’
No Time To Die will be out in cinemas on April 2020.
READ MORE: All The Ways We're Hoping Phoebe Waller-Bridge Will Make James Bond More Like Fleabag
All The Things Fleabag Could Do To Change James Bond
1 of 9‘Shaken, not stirred,’ might have been Bond’s signature martini - well, not anymore. We think the iconic catchphrase would be one of the first things to go under Waller-Bridge’s reign. As thanks to The Hot Priest, that the coolest drink is now an M&S Gin in a can. (Apparently, following series two, sales of the drink went up 24%. Wild.)
'Shaken, not stirred,' might have been Bond's signature martini - well, not anymore. We think the iconic catchphrase would be one of the first things to go under Waller-Bridge's reign. As thanks to The Hot Priest, that the coolest drink is now an M&S Gin in a can. (Apparently, following series two, sales of the drink went up 24%. Wild.)
2 of 9In life or death scenes, Bond would suddenly be talking to the camera, giving us all concerned and sexy looks. It could be the comedy we have all been waiting for from the franchise.
In life or death scenes, Bond would suddenly be talking to the camera, giving us all concerned and sexy looks. It could be the comedy we have all been waiting for from the franchise.
3 of 9There would have to be a villainous fox, watching Bond’s each and every move. In fact, maybe the villain could be a fox?
There would have to be a villainous fox, watching Bond's each and every move. In fact, maybe the villain could be a fox?
4 of 9Bond would, at some point, have to act as an undercover priest. (Though he’s definitely never going to be hotter than The Hot Priest.)
Bond would, at some point, have to act as an undercover priest. It would be essential to the plot. (Though he's definitely never going to be hotter than The Hot Priest.)
5 of 9Who would play M? Who, possibly, could be on the same par as Judi Dench? Olivia Colman, obviously - nobody else can eloquently scream, ‘What a c*nt. I NEED TO PAINT!’
Who would play M? Who, possibly, could be on the same par as Judi Dench? Olivia Colman, obviously - nobody else can eloquently scream 'What a c*nt. I NEED TO PAINT!' quite like her
6 of 9Forget fancy meals around the world. Undercover meetings would take place in the guinea pig cafe. (To be honest, just who is going to figure that one out?!)
Forget fancy meals around the world. Undercover meetings would take place in the guinea pig cafe. (To be honest, just who is going to figure that one out?!)
7 of 9The Bond girl would have to either wear a jumpsuit, stripes or a red dress - as per Fleabag’s wardrobe.
The Bond girl would have to either wear a jumpsuit, stripes or a red dress - as per Fleabag's wardrobe.
8 of 9And the Bond girl could have a proper edgy new hairstyle...
And the Bond girl could have a proper edgy new hairstyle...
9 of 9The sex scenes could also be a lot more realistic, and less glamourous. Why would the Bond girl have sex with Bond, when she could simply masturbate next to him instead?
The sex scenes could also be a lot more realistic (aka less glamourous.) Instead of the Bond girl instantly falling into Bond's arms after a few glib chat up lines from Daniel Craig, he walks in on her masturbating to YouTube videos of Barack Obama instead. Just a thought...