The ongoing debacle codenamed “Bond 25”–the latest installment of the James Bond film series–has just hit yet another snag: actress and gay icon Grace Jones abruptly quit the movie.
70-year-old Jones, who appeared in the previous Bond film A View To A Kill, which nabbed her raves from critics and audiences alike, was expected to play a role in the new movie opposite Daniel Craig.
But the actress reportedly walked off the set last week after realizing how few lines she had. Not only that, but she only appeared in only one scene.
Jones had reportedly accepted the role thinking it would be more significant, but, evidently, without reading the script first.
If true, her resignation would mark the latest in a string of problems for the film, which is supposed to hit theaters in April of next year.
Already the production has seen Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle quit over creative differences, ongoing disputes over the script and budget, delays due to injuries of star Daniel Craig, pay arguments, and casting woes.
Neither director Carey Fukunaga, star Daniel Craig, nor executives for parent studio MGM have yet to comment on Jones’ leaving the production.
Related: Sam Smith Becomes First Gay Man To Sing James Bond Theme
Loki
She’s a septuagenarian in an action film… was she expecting more than a walk-on role? Ridiculous.
white-queer-african
At 70 she is still a drama queen. In the early eighties she was on a cruise ship passing and docking in South African waters, She stayed in her cabin and even refused to open the shutters. She was not prepared to set eyes on apartheid South Africa. I applauded her for her stance. In 1988 her then boyfriend Dolph Lundgren was shooting a movie, Red Scorpion, in South-West Africa, controlled by apartheid South Africa, now Namibia. We were having drinks and dinner one evening in a restaurant in Swakopmund and she was there with Dolph. We started chatting. She asked me, as a young white gay South African man, what my thoughts were of aparthate. As she pronounced it! I told her I hated it. She clapped. I then asked her if she was fine with her boyfriend earning money shooting a movie in a country controlled by the very same apartheid regime? She was shocked. Glared at me and told me to f..k off. I just smiled and told her I still love her music.
We still on occasion listen to her music and love it. Brings back memories!
Chrisk
Since there was an international boycott of SA during that time you were well within your rights to to bring that up.
Hdtex
Namibia was never controlled by South Africa. Read a book.
Kangol2
@Hdtex, the truth is that In 1920, the League of Nations, the predecessor to the United Nations, required that South Africa administer Namibia, then South-West Africa.
As a result, South Africa did control Namibia (South-West Africa) and it did impose its horrible racist classifications and laws on Namibia. Then in 1948, South Africa legalized apartheid in Namibia. You may not remember the guerilla war Namibia’s SWAPO faction waged against South Africa in the 1970s and 1980s, but Namibia finally did gain its independence from South Africa in 1990.
So in fact, @white-queer-african is correct on this point.
Brian
I really can’t believe people have put up with her sh!t for over 40 years. Her body of work definitely doesn’t support it.
Hdtex
Triggered by a highly successful black woman. Got it.
Brian
So you only see her as a black woman and not an individual. Got it.
Cam
@Brian
Actually you’re the one who said “Only”, not them.
Jboo
@Hdtex Triggered by logic. Got it.
Brian
Well duh. His response doesn’t make any sense otherwise. This is Grace Jones we’re talking about, her diva antics and unprofessionalism are pretty legendary.
poundmetoo
Boyle wanted to kill off Bond that didn’t go over well for obvious reasons so he was let go!
Doug
GJ has always been a diva. Check out the recent documentary about her and you’ll see her do a lot of things like this.
xanadude
Seriously? I could be in a movie… or not at all…. tough choice.
OzJosh
This is clearly non true. It’s literally impossible for a star like Jones to arrive on a film set unaware that they have just one scene and only a few lines. The part and it’s content would have been endlessly discussed and negotiated with her agent, her manager and whatever other hangers-on she has for months leading up to the shoot, and all of this would have been carefully related to Jones. There’s no other way to do it. Plus there’s wardrobe, etc, that is always fitted and approved ahead of shooting. Moreover, with a highly idiosyncratic star like GJ the part was most likely tailored very specifically to her persona, and she would almost certainly have had a role in that. Whatever hissy fit Jones had, it can’t have been over the details of the part.
Rock-N-RollHS
Most convincing comment here.
But I do love a celebrity diva! Slave to her rhythm aeternum!
scotty
i’m ready for my cameo, mr deVille