8 Black Actresses Who Could Be the Female Bond

KERRY WASHINGTON With "Scandal," she's already shown she can play the position of power -- and well -- without getting sidetracked by the secret affairs she's sneakily engaging in along the way -- that's Bond personified.

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Are we ready to see such a phenom be female?

Now it's the ladies' turn. With "Skyfall"—the latest and 23rd installment of the James Bond film franchise—setting a U.S. debut record at the box office this past weekend, Hollywood.com has begun to wonder if there is, or ever will be, a female equivalent to the acclaimed secret agent.

Sure, we've seen Angelina Jolie take on action roles by the handful, but none appear on track to be holding a place in pop culture for the next 50 years. Other actresses, like Halle Berry, have played the part of the heroine a few times ("Catwoman," Storm in "X-Men" in Berry's case), but they're equipped with superpowers, while Bond is really just a normal, albeit awe-inspiring, man—who happens to be exceptionally adept at guns and gadgets.

Yes, Berry herself played a bikini-clad Bond girl in 2002's "Die Another Day," but would she ever be cast to take on the title role, or a role similar in action-packed depth?

Carole Lieberman, renowned as the "media psychiatrist," says no -- and says the reason has much to do with the Bond character's other hobby: women.

"The only way we would see a female lead a franchise in which men play the 'sexual playthings' is if it is created by a female team," said Lieberman. "Producers, directors, casting execs, marketers, and so on. It's one thing to have a female lead kick butt, like Jolie, and another thing for them to successfully manipulate, control and toy with men -- especially on a sexual level. This is too threatening to the hot shots of Hollywood. They would have to make such a bad girl lead die a horrendous death in the end to punish her."

Maybe so, but above are 8 actresses we wouldn't mind seeing take on the challenge. Who would you like to see? Tell us in the Comments section below!

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