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Gemma Arterton Says “There Was So Much Wrong” With "Quantum Of Solace" Bond Woman Character
Black Narcissus and How to Build a Girl actress Gemma Arterton has spoken out about her time as a Bond girl in Quantum of Solace.
In a recent interview with the Sun, Arterton both defended and criticized her role as the 2008 Bond film’s Strawberry Fields. In Quantum of Solace, British Secret Service agent Strawberry Fields attempts to thwart James Bond (Daniel Craig) from accomplishing his mission, but loses guard to his suave personality and charm. Arterton’s character ultimately becomes the target of Bond’s enemies and dies smothered in crude oil.
Arterton, who has also appeared in Prince of Persia: Sands of Time and Clash of the Titans, said she took the Bond role out of much needed exposure and income.
“At the beginning of my career, I was poor as a church mouse and I was happy just to be able to work and earn a living,” she said.
However, despite taking on the role to simply stay afloat, Arterton revealed that she received criticism for her part and continues to receive flak for her Quantum of Solace character.
Disapproval for Quantum of Solace’s Strawberry Fields, however, also stems from Arterton herself. In the height of the #MeToo movement, the British actress rewrote Strawberry Field’s arc to call out the sexism originally embedded in the role. She further explained to the Sun what she would have changed about Strawberry’s time with Bond.
“As I got older I realized there was so much wrong with Bond women. Strawberry should have just said no, really, and worn flat shoes,” she said.
The George Clooney Directed "The Midnight Sky" is on Course to Become One of Netflix’s Most Watched Films
In addition, the theatrical release for The Midnight Sky was Netflix’s largest of the year. While that needs to be qualified in light of how the Covid pandemic walloped theatrical, The Midnight Sky played in more than 800 locations in 16 countries including US, the UK, Brazil, Australia, Spain & Japan.
There is validation here of the Netflix Films program built under the leadership of Scott Stuber, who in three years has brought in talent he had relationships with when he was a movie executive and producer. When he came in, most big stars weren’t doing streamer films but that line in the sand is long gone. Netflix began 2020 with the Chris Hemsworth-starrer Extraction, which became the streamer’s most viewed film ever and has a sequel in the works. The year ends with the David Fincher-directed Mank, the Aaron Sorkin-directed The Trial of the Chicago 7 and Midnight Sky. Netflix starts 2021 with its biggest ever movie production, the Joe & Anthony Russo-directed espionage thriller The Gray Man set to start early next year in Long Beach with Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans starring.
Said Clooney, who directed, stars in and produced The Midnight Sky: “It has been a great experience working with Netflix. At a time when no one gets to go to the theater, it is an honor to be able to have a film people have responded to in such a big way, and be able to acknowledge it.”
Said Netflix’s Stuber: “George made a film that captures humanity and that’s very insightful to our times. He brought a life and a soul to The Midnight Sky – it’s why this film is resonating with so many. What an incredible way to end the year and to continue my long-standing relationship with George and Grant Heslov.”