8 Black Actresses Who Could Be the Female Bond

SANAA LATHAN If she can fight off both the alien AND the predator (and be the sole survivor of the entire expedition against both, mind you), she can surely handle the oddly outlandish-looking, often connived and conned, megalomaniac that is the Bond villain.

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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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Do We Really Need A Black James Bond?

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Should the superspy of literature and big-screen fame be race-neutral?

Every time a new James Bond flick comes out, a debate about who would be a better Bond comes with it. It doesn't matter how good of a job the current actor is doing, critics and viewers always enjoy talking up who they think should be the new Bond when they get tired of looking at the one in front of them.

Since its inception, every actor that has played the British spy has been of direct European decent being born in either Scotland, Ireland or England. But as the world grows closer and closer to the idea of a "post-racial" society, there's been a multitude of voices entertaining the idea of have a black actor play the coveted role.

The biggest voice came in 2008 when multi-tasking mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs let it be known that he wanted to be the next and first black James Bond when he heard there was an opening. Not only did he let it be known, he made a cologne commercial/audition tape to plead his case.

Obviously, the tape failed as Daniel Craig was selected to be the new Bond.

Since then Idris Elba's name has been thrown around as a possible future James Bond. Being that Elba is British and already has a popular gig as a detective on BBC's "Luther," perhaps he may actually have a shot. But even if he does, is such a change in role really needed?

While it sounds like a cool idea or some sort of way to see past race, what's actually wrong with keeping James Bond, well, white? Are Hispanics clamoring to become the next Blade? Are white actors demanding that there be a Caucasian Storm from X-Men?

But, if we must have a black James Bond, here are some ideal candidates:

Idris Elba

Everyone's favorite and the most likely choice if a black Bond ever comes to exist. He's shown that he can appeal to both the British and Americans, and he has been a leading man in a film before.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Pretty much everyone's second favorite Black British actor, Ejiofor has proven that he can handle just about any role that's been thrown at him. His on-screen chemistry with the ladies and his fighting prowess may still be up for question though.

Djimon Hounsou

Supermodel-turned-actor, Hounsou's commanding presence could make him a perfect Bond.