Despite being the main attraction, James Bond movies have been more than just about the sophisticated spy who saves the world. The villains, allies, and other side characters have equally contributed to making the franchise a pop culture phenomenon.
Among these supporting characters, the Bond girls have been playing a crucial role since 007’s first on-screen appearance. Each actress has made her contribution to maintaining the legacy of Bond girls. However, it seems like the Skyfall director has a favorite of them all.
Sam Mendes’ favorite low-maintenance Bond girl
The portrayal of Bond girls has evolved over the years from just eye candy to having more authority over the narrative of the stories. The recent portrayals are more about the intelligence and agency of the character rather than her glamor quotient only.
Some of the popular Bond girls have been Honey Ryder played by Ursula Andress, Vesper Lynd played by Eva Green, and Wai Lin played by Michelle Yeoh. By the time Skyfall was released, Bérénice Marlohe was introduced to this list of actresses.
Daniel Craig had already built his image as James Bond so effectively by then that it was never an easy job for any co-actor to compete with his on-screen presence. Having said that, director Sam Mendes was impressed by Marlohe, especially because of her “low-maintenance” attitude. He told IndieWire in an earlier interview,
I saw Bérénice on tape, I thought she was fantastic, she did exactly what we’d imagined in the script. And she came in and was delightful, and read with Dan, and he loved her too. And she was equally a pleasure and equally low maintenance. I couldn’t believe how little we had to talk about anything except what was on the page, and what was in front of the camera. And so it’s been a pleasure.
Mendes admitted that Marlohe was almost like the outcome of telling a computer, “Design me a perfect Bond girl.” The Skyfall actress is of French, Chinese, and Cambodian descent and has worked in several other films like 5 to 7, Revolt, and Kill Switch. Her portrayal of Severine brought a balance of glamor and complexity that reflected well on screen.
Uncertain future of the James Bond franchise
The Bond franchise is going through a tough time since Daniel Craig retired in No Time to Die in 2021, and Amazon acquired MGM Studios for $8.5 billion in 2022 (according to Forbes). Conflicts and clashes of opinions are reportedly happening between the new executives and the old producers.
Barbara Broccoli, daughter of the original producer, Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli, is still having strict control over the franchise’s direction. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Amazon has suggested some fresh angles on the 007 franchise, like a Miss Moneypenny spinoff, a gender-fluid Bond, and the first female 007.
However, Broccoli has reportedly described the executives to her friends by saying, “These people are f–king idiots.” Although she is open about having a gay and non-white Bond, she rejects the idea of a female Bond and wants the actor to be British.
The conflict is also between Broccoli’s traditional approach to filmmaking and Amazon’s data-based, modern, streaming-focused approach. Wall Street Journal also reported that some Amazon employees are even questioning whether a traditional male spy who is a womanizer, who uses violence to achieve his goals, will even be relevant in the current scenario.
Skyfall is available to stream on Prime Video.
Frequently asked questions
Which Bond girl did director Sam Mendes call low maintenance, and in which film?
Sam Mendes was referring to Bérénice Marlohe, who played Severine in Skyfall (2012), the Daniel Craig 007 film Mendes directed. He praised her as a delightful, easy collaborator who needed very little direction on set.
What did Sam Mendes actually say about working with Bérénice Marlohe?
Speaking to IndieWire, Mendes recalled that Marlohe impressed him on tape, read well opposite Daniel Craig, and was ‘equally a pleasure and equally low maintenance.’ He added, ‘I couldn’t believe how little we had to talk about anything except what was on the page, and what was in front of the camera.’
Why did Mendes call Marlohe almost a ‘perfect Bond girl’?
Mendes said casting her felt almost like the result of telling a computer, ‘Design me a perfect Bond girl.’ He felt she matched exactly what the Skyfall script had imagined, and noted her portrayal of Severine balanced glamour with on-screen complexity.
