One Big Detail Many Fans Have Missed in Daniel Craig’s Spectre- Judi Dench Set the Record Straight on Misconception About Her James Bond Journey
Dame Judi Dench is regarded as the most outstanding British actress. Known for the versatility of her portrayals, Dench has acted, in plays, TV shows, and movies; for almost seven decades.
One of Dench’s most notable roles is her portrayal of James Bond’s boss, M. Playing M for almost two decades, Dench’s continuous presence in the 007 movies puts her in a more favorable position than most for trivia about the world of James Bond.
In an interview, Dench revealed a crucial detail about Daniel Craig’s Spectre, which was missed by eagle-eyed fans of the British spy and had them shocked.
Judi Dench Reveals Shocking Facts About Her James Bond Character
Judi Dench first played the Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service, MI6 in GoldenEye in 1995. Dench’s M’s character lived through, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig‘s 007s; before losing her life in Craig’s third film Skyfall in 2012. Altogether, M was seen in seven Bond films. Or so it was largely believed.
In a conversation on Deadline’s The Actor’s Side, Dench set the record straight about her James Bond journey. She said:
“I did eight actually. Everyone says seven. But I did do a morning on Spectre. I’ve never seen Spectre, yet, but they brought me back and there was a little bitty television thing, and so I did do that on it. So, I think, ‘Well, I actually did eight.’”
Before this fact was revealed by the actress herself, the general perception was that she featured in seven Bond movies; the same as legendary Bond actor Sean Connery. Placing both actors in a tie. However, given that Dench, in fact, did eight Bond movies, makes her the only actor who has featured in more 007 movies than any of the Bonds themselves.
Read More: What Happened to 88-Year-Old Judi Dench’s Eyes: How Did the James Bond Star Lose Her Vision?
Judi Dench on M
Ian Lancaster Fleming, the creator of the James Bond franchise originally wrote M as a male character. This is apt considering the spy novels were published in the early ’50s to mid ’60s. With the passage of time, makers of the James Bond movies chose to make the character female, and had Judi Dench play it.
Dench herself finds the change interesting. It adds another layer to Bond’s character. When speaking about her gender-bending role to ComingSoon.net:
“The plus is because then it’s a very different angle on Bond. It’s not a man putting another man to do it. There’s a woman, and add into the fact that she is his senior, it puts another angle on it. It puts a certain strain on it.”
Judi Dench’s mark on the Bond franchise is indelible. As Craig bowed out as the British spy in 2021 No Time to Die, the search for a new James Bond has begun. Fans are excited to know who will now have the keys to the iconic Bond vehicle Aston Martin DB5 in his possession.
Source: Deadline and ComingSoon.net
