Lashana Lynch Isn't Worried That 'Bond' Fans Are Mad She's The New 007: "It Doesn't Dishearten Me"

For many people, actress Lashana Lynch is probably best known as playing Maria Rambeau in the recent Marvel Studios blockbuster, “Captain Marvel.” However, next year, the biggest role of her career is going to arrive, with the upcoming 25th James Bond film, “No Time to Die,” where the actress is said to be playing a new 007. That’s right, with Bond retired, Lynch is stepping into the role of 007 at the beginning of the film. And as you might expect, the news that a Black woman is getting the super-spy designation caused a bit of an uproar in fandom.

But according to a new interview with THR, that response didn’t bother Lynch at all. In fact, all she’s concerned about is making sure her secret agent character is actually more than just another Bond Girl.

READ MORE: Daniel Craig Thinks It’s “F*cking Ridiculous” To Suggest Phoebe Waller-Bridge Was Hired For ‘Bond’ Because Of Her Gender

“It doesn’t dishearten me,” she explained, regarding the response to her being the new 007. “It makes me feel quite sad for some people because their opinions, they’re not even from a mean place — they’re actually from a sad place. It’s not about me. People are reacting to an idea, which has nothing to do with my life.”

Lynch said that she came to the production with her own ideas about what her character might look like and act like, and the actress said that she was greeted with plenty of support from the folks working on “No Time to Die.”

“Everyone was really responsive to having her be what I wanted,” Lynch said. “You’re given a fresh perspective on a brand-new black woman in the Bond world.”

READ MORE: Pierce Brosnan Says A Female Bond “Would Be Exhilarating” But Doesn’t See It Happening Under The Current Producers’ Watch

She added that when she met with director Cary Fukunaga and co-writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge, she was adamant that her character is a reflection of a real woman.

“I didn’t want someone who was slick,” she said. “I wanted someone who was rough around the edges and who has a past and a history and has issues with her weight and maybe questions what’s going on with her boyfriend.”

Obviously, there will be plenty more about Lynch’s character coming in the months leading up to the release of “No Time To Die.” The film is scheduled to arrive in theaters on April 8, 2020.