Former James Bond Pierce Brosnan thinks it's time for a woman to play the role

"Get out of the way, guys."

Pierce Brosnan, former James Bond, supports the idea of a woman playing the role.

The actor who played 007 in four films, from the iconic GoldenEye to Die Another Day, told The Hollywood Reporter that he's fully behind the idea of a woman playing James Bond.

"I think we've watched the guys do it for the last 40 years, get out of the way, guys, and put a woman up there. I think it would be exhilarating, it would be exciting,” he said.

The public discussion over a woman playing the role of Bond has been upped of late, after rumours that Lashana Lynch could take over the 007 title after the forthcoming 25th Bond film, No Time to Die.

Brosnan also acknowledged the #MeToo movement in particular, which, quite frankly, has put the James Bond franchise and both its titular character's attitude toward women, and the films' general representation of women, in a new awkward light. Brosnan told THR that the Bond franchise won't really be able to push this under the rug.

“Without question, yes... The #MeToo movement has been relevant and significant and well needed in our society, so they'll have to address that,” he said.

Brosnan, however, told the publisher he thinks this unlikely with the current producers.

“I don't think that's going to happen with the Broccolis," he said. "I don't think that is going to happen under their watch."

It's a hard pill to swallow for Bond fans, rewatching the films in the #MeToo age and recognising the undeniable problems that go with the franchise — inappropriate workplace sexual innuendos, including those said by Brosnan's Bond, are just the tip of the iceberg. But if James Bond himself can see change afoot, perhaps so can the producers (and fans).

No Time to Die, starring Daniel Craig as Bond, is expected for release April, 3, 2020.