Warning: This article contains spoilers for No Time to DieThree years after the last entry in theJames Bondfranchise, hardly anything is known about theupcomingBond 26, which makes it the most nerve-wracking and unpredictable entry since 2006’sCasino Royale.James Bondis one of the most popular and historic franchises in the history of cinema. Since the firstBondmovie,Dr. No, was released in 1962, it’s understandable that theJames Bondfranchise has undergone many changes over the years. However, the upcoming 26thBondfilm could mark one of the biggest changes ever for the franchise.
Throughout its over 60-year history,seven actors have portrayed British spy James Bond. TheseJames Bond actorshave made up several different eras of the franchise. In the past, it has usually been when a new actor stepped into the shoes of 007 that the most noticeable changes were made to the series. Therefore, sinceDaniel Craig will not return as James Bondfor the next film,Bond 26is bound to be a drastically different movie than the ones that came before it.
The Death Of Daniel Craig’s 007 Puts James Bond 26 In Uncharted Territory
James Bond 26 Will Introduce A New 007
Previously, Daniel Craig played James Bond from 2006-2021. While his casting was controversial at first,Craig ended up becoming one of the most well-received Bond actors in history. However, at theend ofNo Time to Die, Craig’s version of James Bond died. While this was speculated before the release ofNo Time to Die, it was still a surprising move for the long-running series, since no previous James Bond has ever died.
1962-1967, 1971
1967
1969
1973-1985
1987-1989
1995-2002
Daniel Craig
2006-2021
Before Craig took over the role inCasino Royale, the switching of Bond actors was never really addressed throughout the series. Since Bond was previously a character who would never die, a new actor would step into his shoes and audiences would simply be asked to accept it. However,James Bond dying at the end ofNo Time to Dieconfirms thatBond 26will feature yet another brand-new version of the character. Craig’s version of the character was quite different from the ones who came before him, so it is likely that the version of James Bond audiences meet in the 26th film will also be a different take on the iconic spy.
Bond 26 Will Be The First Movie Released Since Amazon Acquired MGM
James Bond 26 Will Mark The Start Of A New Era For The Franchise
Going back to the days ofGone with the WindandThe Wizard of Oz, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer was one of the most historic studios in Hollywood. In addition to franchises likeRockyandLegally Blonde, MGM producedall theJames Bondmovies(except for 1967’sCasino Royale). Therefore, theJames Bondfranchise was very much the crown jewel of MGM. However,MGM was purchased by Amazon in 2022, meaning that the nextBondfilm will be the first produced under Amazon’s supervision.
Amazon owns 50% of theJames Bondfranchise, with the other half still belonging to Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, who inherited the rights from their father.
However,Amazon does not have full control over the nextJames Bondfilm. Amazon owns 50% of theJames Bondfranchise, with the other half still belonging to Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, who inherited the rights from their father. Broccoli and Wilson have the final say over all decisions made about theJames Bondseries and are known to be very protective over the spy franchise. Therefore, while there will probably be some changes made, they will likely ensure thatBond 26remains somewhat faithful to the films that came before it.
The Gap Between No Time To Die & Bond 26 Could Be The Biggest Yet
It Could Still Be Years Before The Next James Bond Movie
After the release ofDr. Noin 1962, newJames Bondmovies were coming out almost every year. However, as the years went on and as the franchise expanded, there were longer gaps between new movies. Although, even through various actor changes, theJames Bondfranchise has remained very consistent over the years. So far,the longest gap betweenJames Bondmovies was the six years between 1989’sLicense to Killand 1995’sGoldenEye.License to Killwas Timothy Dalton’s last time playing James Bond, andGoldenEyewas Pierce Brosnan’s first time playing the spy.
James Bond 26 Casting Search Timeline & Franchise Hiatus Addressed By Studio Exec
Amazon MGM executive Jennifer Salke addresses the casting search timeline for Bond 26 and the impact of the franchise hiatus between movies.
SinceNo Time to Diewas released in 2021,James Bond 26will have to come out in 2027 to match this gap. Since a new James Bond actor has not been cast yet, and it hasn’t even been suggested that the movie will film anytime soon, it seems unlikely thatBond 26will be able to have a 2027 release date. Unless significant progress is made on the film very soon, it will most likely release in 2028 or 2029, which means that fans could be in the middle of the longest period with noJames Bond. Hopefully, whenJames Bond 26is released, it will live up to fans' high expectations.
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.
