The long-awaited release of No Time to Die marks the end of Daniel Craig’s lauded 15-year tenure as 007, sparking questions of who will replace him and what Bond 26 will look like. Craig’s era revolutionized the franchise and its lead character in many significant ways, while still holding onto the enduring core of James Bond. With huge hits like Casino Royale and Skyfall, Craig will be a tough act to follow, but there have already been some promising clues of what the next James Bond movie could have in store.
Periods of transition are always challenging, especially for a franchise as massive and popular as 007. Some Bond stars have debuted in spectacular fashion, like Craig in Casino Royale and Pierce Brosnan in Goldeneye, but the leadup to a new Bond era is usually still viewed with apprehension. The series has changed more in the modern era than at any other point in its history, opening the door for major shifts in Bond 26. At the same time, there are a lot of things about the past few James Bond movies that will likely remain intact going into the next one, regardless of who plays the leading role or what the story will entail.
Though few details about Bond 26 have been revealed yet – likely because they haven’t even been figure out on the production end – it’s confirmed to be in the works. Rumors of streaming series and other spinoff projects have also circulated since Amazon’s purchase of MGM, but the biggest questions for the future of the James Bond franchise revolve around the next major theatrical release after No Time to Die. Here’s everything that has so far been revealed about a potential 26th installment for the franchise of James Bond.
No Time To Die’s After Credits Confirms Bond 26 Is Coming
As with its predecessors, No Time to Die ends with the promise that “James Bond will return” after the credits, guaranteeing that Bond 26 is on the way. That shouldn’t come as a surprise given the popularity of the franchise, but it does allude to a few more details about the future of 007. First, the inclusion of the line at the end of credits seems to indicate that there will be another proper James Bond movie and that the series has no intentions of prioritizing streaming or any other medium over its cinematic roots. Again, that’s not really a surprise, but it’s a nice reassurance for any concerned viewers.
The other thing seemingly confirmed by the statement that “James Bond will return” is that whoever the next star of the franchise is, they will probably be male. Discourse is already starting to heat up about the idea of a female Bond, with Craig, No Time to Die co-writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and James Bond franchise producer Barbara Broccoli all making recent statements in favor of keeping Bond a man. Nothing is set in stone yet, but it doesn’t sound like the character will be played by a woman for the next set of films, despite what some fans may hope for.
When Will The Hunt For The New James Bond Begin?
The question of who should play James Bond after Craig (Tom Hardy has been touted) is already a hot topic of discussion and rumor. Some of the biggest names in the conversation are ones who’ve been tossed around for years, including Idris Elba and the aforementioned Hardy. Casting either of those stars would be an interesting new direction for the character, as they’d be starting off notably older than previous actors who took on the role. More recently, Henry Cavill has been a popular pick, though his intense filming schedule, which includes major roles like Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher and Superman in the DCEU – assuming he ever plays the character again – could make James Bond too big of an ask.
The latest big addition to the ongoing Bond discourse is Bridgerton star, Regé-Jean Page. Page has the right kind of onscreen energy to play the debonair hero, he’s young enough to ensure a long tenure, and he’d break ground as the first actor of color to play James Bond. Plus, his turn as Simon Bassett on Bridgerton shot him to international superstardom nearly overnight. That doesn’t guarantee Page a leg up on becoming the next 007, but he’s certainly in the conversation.
Regardless of who ends up donning the mantel of James Bond next, it likely won’t become public for some time. Casting the role is a huge decision and one that won’t be rushed or taken likely. Broccoli has also been vocal in the days leading up to No Time to Die’s release about her desire not to focus on the next James Bond for now in order to give sufficient time to celebrate Craig’s tenure. Clearly, the franchise’s current priority is to reflect on a golden era for 007 and leave the next chapter for later. That means it may be a long time before any concrete casting news about the next James Bond comes out.
Bond 26 Cast: What The Actors Have Said About Returning
While James Bond himself will be recast for Bond 26, some of the franchise’s other recent stars could return to reprise their current characters. In the past, the actors for M, Q, Moneypenny, and other recurring characters have often made the leap from one Bond to the next. Judi Dench began her time as M during the Pierce Brosnan James Bond era, for instance, and Desmond Llewelyn played Q from 1963 all the way until 1999. That sets precedent for some of Craig’s costars to return, but will they?
At least some of them would certainly like to. Ben Whishaw’s contract is up after No Time to Die, but he’s said that he’d be interested in playing the character again. Ralph Fiennes, who took over for Dench as M in Skyfall, has also expressed a desire to continue in the role. And given the popularity of Naomie Harris’ Moneypenny, there’s a chance she could return as well under the right circumstances. For now, though, nothing has been confirmed. It would be great to see some familiar faces as returning Bond characters in the next installment, but a fully fresh start could also be good for the franchise. Whatever Bond 26 has in store, it should be an intriguing start to the next chapter of one of cinema’s most iconic characters.
Key Release Dates
Bond 25
Release Date:2021-10-08
