James Bond star upset by idea of female replacing Daniel Craig – 'My heart QUAKES'

There’s been much debate among fans over whether or not the next James Bond should be played by a woman after Daniel Craig. And now The Living Daylights actor John Rhys-Davies has revealed he’s on the side of the Ian Fleming’s character remaining male. Speaking exclusively with Express.co.uk, to promote his new film The Pilgrim’s Progress, the 75-year-old legend said: “My heart quakes at the thought of a female Bond. That would seem to me to be not quite what the author originally intended.”

Nevertheless, the Lord of the Rings star also quoted Samuel Johnson after these comments, suggesting actors shouldn’t challenge the audience’s tastes.

He said: “But, ‘The drama’s laws, the drama’s patrons give, For we that live to please, must please to live [he quoted].’ And that’s the rule for it all.”

Rhys-Davies, who played General Pushkin opposite Timothy Dalton’s Bond in 1987’s The Living Daylights, also gave his opinion on the current state of the 007 franchise.

The actor said: “I think that every Bond brings his own individual qualities to it. 

“I loved Timmy’s but I really do think that the current one is wonderful too.”

Rhys-Davies, certainly isn’t alone among Bond actors in not being in favour of a female Bond.

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Last year, M star Dame Judi Dench was asked if a female Bond was something she would like to see.

She replied: “Not much, no. I think it should be a man. But who knows.”

While Spectre’s Blofeld Christoph Waltz slammed calls for a woman to replace Craig.

Waltz said: “Why? Because [Italian feminist writer] Oriana Fallaci said so? Come on. Have your own movie if you want. Why does it have to be James Bond? What would be her first name? Jemima? My answer is decidedly not.”

Meanwhile, Rhys-Davies stars in The Pilgrim’s Progress, a CGI animation of John Bunyan’s classic.

The Pilgrim’s Progress is a Christian allegory of a believer’s journey from his home town, City of Destruction to the Celestial City.

Rhys-Davies, who voices Evangelist, said: “Not many people do know The Pilgrim’s Progress. 

“The man [John Bunyan] had steel in him, as well as a wonderful skill to communicate simply and clearly.”

He said of the film: “Wonderful, ferocious and very moving.”

The Pilgrim’s Progress is in UK and Irish cinemas on October 25th.