This Sunday is 007 Day, in case you missed it – 5 October is recognized as a global observance dedicated to everything about 007, because of this being the date of the world premiere of the first Bond film, with Sean Connery, back in 1962. Think of it as a bit like the Star Wars celebration, but with less creature costumes and much more tuxedoed swagger.
A Muted Event Currently
This year however, the advent of James Bond Day feels rather like a damp squib. It's only been since Denis Villeneuve was revealed to helm the future installment earlier this year, and even less time since writer Steven Knight was enlisted to draft the story. However, we've seen little to no sign since then of the new 007 getting unveiled, and very little idea concerning the path this long-running series is going next. The only information are unconfirmed reports from entertainment outlets indicating that the producers intend to cast a relatively youthful British actor, possibly a person of colour although not female, a big-name celebrity, or somebody we’ve vaguely heard of.
Disappointment for Oddsmakers
This is, of course disappointing news for the numerous internet betting sites who have been earning significant profits over recent months out of trying to convince bettors that the competition is between Callum Turner, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Henry Cavill, Theo James, Leo Woodall plus the charismatic star featured in Saltburn with Australian origins.
Revisiting Unfamiliar Faces
Intriguingly, the previous instance the film series chose an absolute newcomer was in 1969, as George Lazenby temporarily assumed the iconic pistol. Prior to that, the original Bond was not famous: he performed several supporting roles and done a bit of stage and modelling work while also employed in physique competitions and dairy delivery in Edinburgh prior to accepting the lead role in the first film. Producers Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman deliberately avoided a well-known actor; they sought someone fresh whom audiences would believe as the real 007, rather than as a performer portraying Bond.
Repeating this trick may end up as a clever decision, just as it was in the early 1960s.
Director's Influence
However, bringing in Villeneuve on board means that there's no room for error at all in case the future agent proves to be a stiff. Dialling up the exploding pens and suggestive humor is no longer an option under the guidance of is an artistic director of genre film-making renowned for ponderous sci-fi epics in which the most intense element is deep philosophical tension.
A bruiser in a dinner jacket … Craig's debut in Casino Royale.
Updated Vision for 007
However, in many ways, hiring Villeneuve provides clear signals we should understand about the new era after Daniel Craig. It's unlikely there will be any invisible cars or suggestive jokes, and the return of the comic sheriff in the near future. This entire situation is, of course, perfectly acceptable assuming you enjoy the secret agent contemporary in style. However, it leaves unclear how Villeneuve’s take on Britain’s suavest state-sponsored assassin will be unique from the 007s from the recent past particularly should the upcoming phase decides against to take the whole story back to Ian Fleming’s original 50s and 60s setting.
Redefining Each Era
Craig was instantly distinctive as a new kind of elegant secret agent upon his debut in the franchise in Casino Royale from 2006, a bruiser in a dinner jacket who would avoid at all costs with ridiculous gadgets, or trading sex puns with co-stars during bomb disposal. He caused Pierce Brosnan’s gadget-addled smoothie which recently was viewed by many as the best Bond since Connery, appear as an imitation Connery left too long in the microwave. Not that this is anything new. After Connery came Lazenby, Brosnan came after the overlooked Dalton, and cheesy late-era Roger Moore came after the intense early Moore. Each Bond period reshapes the previous, but each one is in its unique manner James Bond 007, and worth raising a glass to. It feels odd, during this year's the current 007 Day, that we are being invited to toast one who remains unidentified.
