Eva Green, a former Bond girl, has spoken out against the concept of a female James Bond.

The actress is opposed to changing the gender of the 007 spy because she feels it would be wrong to disregard the character’s history, which has always been played by a male.

The Casino Royale star, who is widely regarded as one of the best Bond girls in the franchise’s history, believes that women should forge their own action film legacy.

“I’m for women, but I really think James Bond should remain a man,” Green stated at the premiere of Disney’s Dumbo remake, “It doesn’t make sense for him to be a woman. Women can play different types of characters, be in action movies and be superheroes, but James Bond should always be a man and not be Jane Bond. There is history with the character that should continue. He should be played by a man.”

Daniel Craig, who is set to reprise his role as Bond for the fifth time, will leave the role next year. A number of high-profile actors have urged for a female successor, including Emilia Clarke, Priyanka Chopra, and Gillian Anderson.

Some performers and fans support changing the character’s gender because they feel it is time for a female actor to play the part created by Ian Fleming.

Green’s feelings towards the role are similar to Rachel Weisz’s. 007 is too fundamentally masculine to be modified without travelling too far from Ian Fleming’s original vision, according to the wife of departing Bond Daniel Craig. Fleming “devoted an awful lot of time to writing this particular character, who is particularly male and relates in a particular way to women,” she added.

“Why not create your own story rather than jumping on to the shoulders and being compared to all those other male predecessors?” Weisz explained. “Women are really fascinating and interesting and should get their own stories.”

When “Casino Royale” debuted in 2006, Green’s performance as Vesper was praised, and the character is largely regarded as one of the greatest and most progressive Bond girls in the franchise’s history. The actress told Vanity Fair that she is happy to have played a key role in transforming the Bond girl into more than simply a pretty face.

“I originally had reservations about being a Bond girl. I didn’t want to be a bimbo,” Green stated. “The women are now perceived differently. They are intelligent and sassy and fascinating. I loved playing Vesper. She’s the only one to get to Bond’s heart and has a big impact on his life.”