James Bond represents social change

The argument

Throughout the history of James Bond films, the films have adapted to social change in order to be continually relevant. This capacity for reflecting social change can be seen in the treatment of women throughout the series. While in early movies women were continually objectified, the movies have worked to correct this in more recent iterations. Recently, an example of the development of the films is the hiring of writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who has expressed her deep belief in the films continued relevance despite Bond's previous treatment of women in earlier films. Waller-Bridge stated that "[the franchise] has just got to grow. It has just got to evolve, and the important thing is that the film treats the women properly." This is also clearly seen in the continued discussion around making Bond a person of colour, a woman, or both. In mid-2019, there was speculation that after Daniel Craig Bond would be played by Lashana Lynch, a woman of colour. While this was later refuted, the discussion around the reported news indicated the receptiveness an audience may have to such a change. In previous years, a woman of colour playing Bond would have been unthinkable, but the positive reception indicated not only that this would no longer be impossible, but that the character of Bond would benefit greatly from casting a woman of colour. Doing so would show definitively that the franchise is capable of moving with the times. Bond has continually adapted to social change. This is proof that, as a cultural figure, they remain relevant.

Premises

Counter-arguments

Critics reply that the argument describes the franchise adapting to social pressure, not the character himself embodying change, and that much of the "evolution" cited is speculation (a rumoured casting later denied) or the studio managing criticism rather than the films leading it. They argue that a property revising its treatment of women after decades of objectification is playing catch-up, and that pointing to what Bond might become — a woman, a person of colour — concedes that the character as written has not yet represented that change. Adapting to survive commercially, on this view, does not by itself make Bond an "amazing" character.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P1] Remaining commercially relevant by adjusting to social change is not the same as being an admirable or "amazing" character; longevity and quality are distinct. [Rejecting P2] The examples are largely the franchise reacting to external criticism (and one rumoured, then-denied casting), which shows the studio following social change rather than the character embodying it.