Summary
James Bond’s iconic Moneypenny character has become a fixture in the franchise despite her canonical counterpart never appearing in the films.Moneypenny, most recently played by Naomie Harris, is a fellow agent working with MI6 and assisting Bond. Partners in the field and office,Moneypenny and Bond have a complicated relationshipthat often toes the line between professional and romantic. Like Bond, Moneypenny reports to the agency’s head, M, and frequently pulls unseen strings off-screen to help the agents.
TheBond films are filled with important side charactersand love interests who help make the franchise so iconic. As one of the most often recurring characters,Moneypenny appears in 23 Bond movies, proving her an integral part of the Bond universe. However,Moneypenny takes on much more of a role than she does in the original book series. She is actually a replacement for another character from Fleming’s novels who has yet to appear in the films, but she has an upcoming opportunity to do so inBond 26.
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Who Loelia Ponsonby Is In Ian Fleming’s James Bond Books
Loelia Is Principal Secretary At M16
In the books, Loelia Ponsonby works as the Principal Secretary to theelite 00s agents at MI6, including Bond. Being in contact with so many high-profile spies gave Loelia a good knowledge of sensitive subjects and the agency, making her a well-rounded and intelligent character. She was also able to provide lots of important information and help that showed she was valuable and knowledgeable, unlike other female characters written at the time.She’s known for her charm and flirtatious workplace relationship with Bond.
(Loelia) was written out of the books after the 1961 novelThunderballwhen she married a member of the Baltic Exchange.
Loelia’s first appearance in the books was inMoonraker, the third novel in the series.Loelia was initially scripted to appear in the 1995 filmGoldenEyebut was eventually removed from the final film. She was written out of the books after the 1961 novelThunderballwhen she married a member of the Baltic Exchange. She returned to her role in the modern revamp of the series almost 50 years later, with her first reappearance being in the 2008 bookDevil May Care.
The James Bond Movies Combine Loelia Ponsonby’s Role Into Moneypenny
Moneypenny Is A Composite Of Several Book Characters
Moneypenny’s significance was expanded for the films, with her role in the novels being significantly smaller. Loelia’s role is more extensive in the novels, as she acts as Bond’s secretary. Originally, in the books, Moneypenny was also never an agent, though the films show her working in the field until she returns to desk work. Like Loelia, she exists more in the office than in combat or as one of the many Bond girls. However, Loelia’s flirtatious relationship with Bond is conflated into Moneypenny’s character, leading to their iconic will-they-won’t-they relationship in the movies.
The film version of Moneypenny is actually a composite of a few significant female characters from the book series. She was also inspired by the character Mary Goodnight, another MI6 secretary who works directly with Bond. Moneypenny assists Bond the same way that Loelia and eventually Mary did in the books. Like most of the agency employees,Loelia and Moneypenny are clever and good at their work. These characters exemplify the intelligent and witty women in the Bond universe who aren’t necessarily sex symbols, as Bond’s love interests tend to be.
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Why Bond 26 Should Give Loelia Ponsonby Her Cinematic Debut
Loelia Could Help Revamp The Franchise
Loelia could help the franchise move past some of its most recurring characters and veer away from predictability. After Craig’s retirement, the next Bond film will star a new actor as the iconic agent. It will also allow for introducing new characters, potentially including Loelia. If the film wants to distinguish itself from the others, thenincluding another canonical side character might be an engaging wayto do so. Loelia’s addition might also grow the popularity of the original book series, encouraging fans to engage with the text to learn more about her.
Moneypenny’s previous performances were by Lois Maxwell, Caroline Bliss, Samantha Bond, and Naomie Harris.
Her inclusion could also allow for another love interest for Bond, tracing back to their flirtatious roots. Moneypenny is colder and more calculating in her mannerisms, even with Bond, butLoelia would be able to flirt and lighten up the franchise playfully. The film would have to toe the line without making her seem ditsy or like an airhead, but there is room for potential success. Bringing Loelia into the film series would allow for a relatively new femaleJames Bondcharacter who is both charming and knowledgeable.
James Bond
The James Bond franchise follows the adventures of British secret agent 007 as he combats global threats. With a license to kill, Bond faces off against various villains and criminal organizations, employing high-tech gadgets, espionage, and charm. The series spans multiple films, featuring exotic locations, thrilling action sequences, and memorable characters. Bond’s mission to protect the world and uphold justice remains central, making the franchise an enduring icon in the spy genre.
