🔗 Share this article

This Sunday is Bond Day, for those who didn't know – 5 October is recognized as a international observance honoring everything about 007, thanks to this being the date of the international launch of Dr No, featuring Sean Connery, in the year 1962. Think of it comparable to Star Wars Day, but with less Wookiees and Ewoks and an abundance of elegant confidence.

A Subdued Event Currently

This year however, the advent of the 007 celebration feels rather like a damp squib. It's only been after the filmmaker was confirmed as the director the next Bond film earlier this year, and even less time when the screenwriter Steven Knight was hired to write the script. But there’s been almost no indication afterwards regarding the next Bond actually being revealed, and very little idea of where this iconic film series will proceed. All we have is industry speculation through film industry sources suggesting that the film-makers intend to cast a comparatively fresh-faced Brit, who might be from a diverse background although not female, a franchise star, or somebody we’ve vaguely heard of.

Bad News for Oddsmakers

Undoubtedly, this represents unwelcome developments for the hordes internet betting sites which have generating substantial revenue over recent months out of trying to convince punters that it is a race involving several speculated candidates along with the attractive actor from Saltburn who is actually Australian.

Revisiting the Unknown

Interestingly, the most recent occasion the 007 series actually went for a complete unknown occurred in 1969, when George Lazenby briefly took up the Walther PPK. Before that, the original Bond had little recognition: he performed some small movie parts along with some theater and modeling jobs in addition to working in physique competitions and dairy delivery in Edinburgh before taking the starring part in the first film. The creative heads specifically didn’t want a household name; they wanted an unfamiliar performer that viewers would believe as the actual character, as opposed to an actor playing Bond.

Repeating this trick might prove to be a clever decision, exactly as it was in the early 1960s.

The Villeneuve Factor

But getting Villeneuve on board suggests that there is no get-out clause at all in case the future agent proves to be a stiff. Increasing the ridiculous devices and suggestive humor is off the table with a director like is a solemn auteur specializing in cinematic genres best known for ponderous sci-fi epics in which the most intense element is deep philosophical tension.

A tough guy in formalwear … Daniel Craig as Bond in Casino Royale.

Fresh Approach for 007

However, in numerous aspects, selecting this director tells us everything we need to know regarding the upcoming era after Daniel Craig. It's unlikely there will be vehicles that disappear or double entendres, and it's doubtful we'll see the comic sheriff back any time soon. These changes are, of course, quite alright if you like your 007 contemporary in style. However, it leaves unclear the director's interpretation on Britain’s suavest state-sponsored assassin will stand out from the 007s that came before him especially if the next chapter decides against to set the narrative back to Ian Fleming’s original 50s and 60s setting.

Redefining All Chapters

Craig stood out at once as a fresh version of stylish operative upon his debut on the scene in 2006’s Casino Royale, a bruiser in a dinner jacket who would never be seen in an invisible car, or using sexual wordplay with co-stars while defusing a nuclear warhead. He made Pierce Brosnan’s gadget-addled smoothie which recently had been considered by some the top 007 after Connery, look like a copycat version overheated and ruined. This is not unprecedented. After Connery came Lazenby, Brosnan came after the underrated Timothy Dalton, and cheesy late-era Roger Moore followed brilliantly dead-eyed and callous early Roger Moore. Every era of 007 alters the prior, yet they are all in its unique manner James Bond 007, deserving of a toast. It’s just a little weird, while we mark this year’s Bond Day, that we are being invited to toast one that is not yet chosen.