It's James Bond Day, for those who didn't know – October 5th has become a global celebration focused on everything about 007, thanks to this being the day of the world premiere of Dr No, with Sean Connery, back in 1962. Consider it as a bit like Star Wars Day, minus the Wookiees and Ewoks and an abundance of sophisticated style.
A Muted Observance Currently
This year however, the arrival of James Bond Day seems somewhat underwhelming. Not long has passed after the acclaimed director was confirmed as the director the next Bond film in June, and not long afterwards when Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight was enlisted to write the script. However, we've seen almost no indication from that point about the future agent actually being revealed, and even less sense of where this venerable franchise is headed. What remains is industry speculation via the Hollywood trades suggesting that the producers are seeking a fairly young British actor, possibly non-white although not a female actor, a franchise star, or a person remotely familiar.
Bad News for Betting Agencies
Undoubtedly, this represents a setback for the numerous gambling platforms who have been making a pretty penny for months now through efforts to suggest bettors that the selection process is among Callum Turner, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Henry Cavill, Theo James, Leo Woodall plus the charismatic star featured in Saltburn with Australian origins.
Revisiting Newcomers
Interestingly, the previous instance the movie franchise chose a total unknown occurred in 1969, when George Lazenby briefly took up the Walther PPK. Earlier, Connery himself certainly wasn’t a star: he had taken some small movie parts along with some stage and modelling work as well as working as a bodybuilder and milkman in Scotland before landing the main character in the first film. Producers Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman deliberately avoided a household name; they wanted someone fresh whom audiences would accept as the real 007, rather than as a star in the role.
Repeating this trick may end up as a brilliant tactic, just as it was during the franchise's infancy.
Impact of Villeneuve
Yet hiring the director Denis Villeneuve means that there's no room for error at all if this new Bond proves to be wooden. Increasing the over-the-top gadgets and innuendo is no longer an option with a director like is an artistic director specializing in cinematic genres renowned for dense futuristic stories where the loudest sound is profound unease.
A tough guy in formalwear … Craig's debut in Casino Royale.
A New Direction for 007
However, in many ways, bringing in Villeneuve provides clear signals that are essential about the new era after Daniel Craig. There are not going to be any invisible cars or double entendres, and it's doubtful we'll see the southern lawman again shortly. All of this is, of course, perfectly acceptable assuming you enjoy your 007 contemporary in style. However, it leaves unclear the director's interpretation regarding the stylish official killer will be unique against earlier agents that came before him especially if the new era opts not to set the narrative back to Ian Fleming’s original 50s and 60s setting.
Transforming All Chapters
Craig was immediately recognisable as a fresh version of elegant secret agent as he appeared in the franchise in the 2006 film, an aggressive figure in black tie who would avoid at all costs in a stealth vehicle, or using sexual wordplay alongside Denise Richards during bomb disposal. He made Pierce Brosnan’s gadget-addled smoothie which recently had been considered by some the finest agent since the original, look like a copycat version badly reheated. Not that this is anything new. After Connery came Lazenby, Brosnan followed the overlooked Dalton, and cheesy late-era Roger Moore followed brilliantly dead-eyed and callous early Roger Moore. All franchise chapters redefines the last one, but each one is in their own way James Bond 007, worthy of celebration. It’s just a little weird, while we mark this year’s Bond Day, that the occasion calls to toast one that is not yet chosen.
