Barbara Broccoli has said she believes James Bond will always be played by a male actor.
The franchise's producer, who, according to The Independent has the authority to approve of every major hiring and dismissal in the popular movies, said she has plans to begin looking for a new James Bond in 2022.
The 61-year-old movie mogul, who is the head of Eon Productions, told the PA News: "James Bond is a male character. I hope that there will be many, many films made with women, for women, by women, about women."
Broccoli went on: "I don't think we have to take a male character and have a woman portray him. So yes, I see him as male. And I'm sort of in denial, I would love for Daniel to continue forever.
"We want to celebrate the fantastic tenure of Daniel Craig, who's given everything to this character into this franchise for 15 years and it is really time to celebrate him."
Current Bond actor Daniel Craig recently revealed that he shared this view that James Bond should not be portrayed by a woman.
Speaking in an interview with the Radio Times, he said "there should simply be better parts for women and actors of color".
He then asked: "Why should a woman play James Bond when there should be a part just as good as James Bond, but for a woman?"
Craig will be appearing in his final Bond film following the release of No Time to Die at the end of the month.
In a clip from the Apple TV documentary Being James Bond, Craig, who was visibly emotional, told the crew after filming on No Time To Die had come to an end:
No Time to Die is set to be released in theaters on September 30."A lot of people here worked on five pictures with me. And I know there's a lot of things said about what I think about these films or all of those... Whatever.
"But I've loved every single second of these movies, and especially this one, because I've got up every morning and I've had the chance to work with you guys."
