Halle Berry recently opened up in a heartfelt video interview with Wired.
Sharing how Pierce Brosnan restored her faith in men during the filming of their 2002 James Bond movie, Die Another Day.
This action-packed film, which was Brosnan’s final appearance as the iconic 007 after a seven-year run, also featured Berry in the memorable role of Bond girl Jinx.
Reflecting on her experience, Berry spoke warmly of Brosnan, saying, “He will always be my Bond, always.
I’m a Pierce Brosnan fan. He restored my faith in men in that movie.
There couldn’t be a human who is more of a gentleman than Pierce Brosnan.”
Berry confessed that she never had a desire to be in a Bond film, although she was always a fan of the movies.
However, being a part of Die Another Day made her feel like she had cemented her place in cinematic history.
“Having been in one, I feel like I’m a part of cinematic history. … Those movies are iconic.
They will forever be a part of our history, and I’m really honoured to have been a part of one, especially with Pierce,” she added.
Berry’s portrayal of Jinx was so well-received that Bond franchise producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson began planning a spinoff film centred on her character.
However, the ambitious $80 million project never came to fruition.
In 2020, Variety reported that MGM, the studio behind the Bond films, backed out due to concerns over the budget.
Halle Berry’s big break
The decision left Broccoli frustrated, as she had been eager to break away from the chauvinistic undertones that had characterized the Bond series in the past.
“It was very disappointing,” Berry admitted to Variety, reflecting on the lost opportunity.
“It was ahead of its time. Nobody was ready to sink that kind of money into a Black female action star. They just weren’t sure of its value.
That’s where we were then.”
Halle Berry continues to make her mark in the action genre, currently starring alongside Mark Wahlberg in the Netflix film The Union.
Despite the missed opportunity with the Jinx spinoff, Berry’s role in Die Another Day remains a significant milestone in her career.
Her admiration for Brosnan continues to shine through her words.
