UPDATE 10/5 - Phoebe Waller-Bridge has revealed she will help make the female characters in the new James Bond movie ‘feel like real people’. The Fleabag star acknowledged that Bond girls in the Daniel Craig films have been ‘really fantastic’, but added that her contribution would be ‘about making them feel like real people.’
Speaking on The Hollywood Reporter's Awards Chatter Podcast, she said: ‘It's really exciting. The film they've got is such an exciting story. It's just been a joy to work on.’ Asked whether she would bring her signature ’female, feminist humour’, she added: ‘Well, we'll see, we'll see what I can sneak in. But it's mainly about making them feel like real people, you know? Which they do in the previous films. I think Daniel's films have had really fantastic Bond girls, so it's just keeping it up.' It was revealed last month that PWB would be the second woman to work on a Bond script.
If you weren’t excited for the next instalment of James Bond, it’s likely you might be now - because, according to The Observer, Phoebe Waller-Bridge has been recruited to spice up the script of Bond 25 on the request of Mr Bond himself, Daniel Craig. The film - which is thought to be based on Raymond Benson's book Never Dream of Dying - has faced numerous problems since it started, with Craig originally saying he didn’t want to play Bond and, then, director Danny Boyle walking from the project over "creative differences" last year. The various obstacles now mean the release date has been pushed back to April next year, but if the script looks okay, filming is set to start as soon as two weeks time. (So, to be honest, it really does sound like only the creator of Killing Eve and Fleabag can save it.) Amazingly, if the news is true - and we so hope it is - it would make Waller-Bridge only the second ever female writer to work on Bond.
We've had a think and dreamed up some of the Fleabag-inspired changes we think our girl crush PWB could make to the famous franchise.
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...