In an era where Hollywood seems obsessed with rebooting and reimagining classic franchises, actress Jenna Ortega has emerged as a voice of reason, calling out the absurdity of simply swapping male leads for female ones in iconic roles. During a recent interview on MTV to promote her upcoming film, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Ortega didn’t mince words when it came to the idea of a female James Bond, labeling it as both “ridiculous” and creatively lazy.
Ortega’s comments come at a time when the entertainment industry is pushing for more female representation on screen—a goal she supports but believes should be achieved through original storytelling rather than gender-swapped versions of established male characters. “I love that there’s a lot more female leads nowadays, I think that’s so special, but we should have our own,” Ortega remarked. “I don’t like it when it’s like a spinoff—I don’t want to see, like, ‘Jamie Bond.’ You know? I want to see another bada**.”
This perspective is a breath of fresh air in a Hollywood environment that often prioritizes tokenism over genuine representation. Ortega’s stance aligns with what many fans have been saying for years: instead of forcefully inserting women into roles designed for men, why not create new, dynamic female characters who stand on their own? After all, the strength of a character like James Bond comes from decades of development, steeped in a specific, traditionally masculine identity. Simply changing the gender without altering the core of the character does a disservice to both the legacy of the original and the potential of new female leads.
Ortega’s thoughtful critique didn’t stop at the idea of a female Bond. She also weighed in on the ongoing trend of remakes, particularly in relation to her own role in the upcoming Beetlejuice sequel. While she sees potential in revisiting certain characters like Beetlejuice—who, as she points out, is timeless and adaptable—she expressed reservations about remaking other classics like Edward Scissorhands. “The beauty of something like Edward is that it’s very sensitive. Beetlejuice can be original because he doesn’t exist in a specific time. You could make an anthology or go to the future,” she explained, highlighting the importance of context and originality in successful remakes.
In another candid moment during the interview, Ortega confessed that she hasn’t finished watching the immensely popular Netflix series Stranger Things, despite her love for the sci-fi genre. “I’ve been so bad about Stranger Things. I love sci-fi, I love it when it’s done well. I did not make it past the first season,” she admitted. Her honesty about her television habits, coupled with her obvious passion for well-crafted sci-fi, only adds to her authenticity as a rising star who isn’t afraid to speak her mind.
Interestingly, Ortega’s views on a female Bond echo sentiments expressed by James Bond franchise producer Barbara Broccoli. In a 2021 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Broccoli stated, “I think [the next James Bond] will be a man because I don’t think a woman should play James Bond. I believe in making characters for women and not just having women play men’s roles.” While Broccoli has suggested the possibility of a non-white James Bond, she firmly believes that the character’s gender should remain male, advocating instead for the creation of strong, original female roles.
Jenna Ortega’s outspoken remarks are a reminder that true progress in Hollywood doesn’t come from rehashing old ideas with a new face but from forging new paths and creating characters who resonate because of their originality and strength. As Hollywood continues to evolve, it’s voices like Ortega’s that will hopefully lead the charge toward more meaningful representation—one that respects the past while boldly stepping into the future.
