Even the most dedicated James Bond fans grapple with challenging questions, ranging from which actor gives the best 007 performance to whom, exactly, James Bond Jr. is in the long-running franchise. Based on Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels and short stories, the Bond cinematic canon began in 1962 with Dr. No, an adaptation that starred Sean Connery, the first-ever on-screen 007. With 25 films under the hood of its Aston Martin, James Bond has become one of the highest-grossing film series of all time. As diehards and casual fans alike know, every James Bond movie centers on the titular MI6 agent, whose codename is 007.
While James Bond has appeared in novels, comics, video games, and films — and been portrayed by seven actors to date — he maintains a few character traits across his many iterations, including Bond’s love of martinis and fast cars. Fleming, who created Bond as a composite sketch of antiquated adventure heroes and officers he served with in World War II, fashioned a protagonist for a modern age. Although James Bond has his faults, there’s a reason he’s endured for over 70 years. Of course, that doesn’t mean the powers that be haven’t tried to make 007 more relatable — and that’s where James Bond Jr. comes in.
James Bond Jr. Appeared On His Own 1990s TV Show
Debuting in September 1991, the James Bond Jr. cartoon series follows the adventures of 007’s nephew. With Fleming’s novels and EON movies being a bit mature for young audiences, James Bond Jr. was envisioned as a way to capture the attention of a new generation of up-and-coming Bond fans. The 65-episode series was the second attempt to develop a James Bond TV show; the would-be animated ’80s series James Bond vs. S.P.E.C.T.R.E. never happened. While Eon Productions developed what would become James Bond Jr., MGM Television produced the show with the blessing of then-rights holders, Danjaq and United Artists.
Does The Next James Bond Actor Really Need To Be Much Younger?
Producers are rumored to be looking for a younger actor to play 007 in Bond 26, a decision that could secure the James Bond franchise’s next decade.
In the series, James Bond Jr. (Corey Burton) attends the prestigious Warfield Academy, all while fighting an evil terrorist organization that’s aptly titled S.C.U.M. (Saboteurs and Criminals United in Mayhem) — a kind of S.P.E.C.T.R.E. counterpart. The thrill-seeking teenager shares his uncle’s love of quips and international intrigue, but he’s also much more reliant on his prep school friends, including the quick-witted IQ (Jeff Bennett) — the grandson of Bond’s gadget-making whiz, Q; Gordo Leiter (Jan Rabson), the amiable, strongman son of CIA operative Felix Leiter; and Tracy Millbanks (Mona Marshall), Jr.’s defiant friend-turned-love interest.
Is James Bond Jr. Canon To The EON Movies
The James Bond franchise’s take on Jonny Quest isn’t considered canon. Still, it was developed by EON and uses the movies as a foundation. For example, James Bond Jr. expands upon Ian Fleming’s iconic book character’s notorious catchphrase by telling baddies that he’s, “Bond, James Bond… Junior.” The more humorous tone is accompanied by cartoonish villains and incredibly fantastical gadgets that blow Q’s cinematic offerings out of the water. Despite being a separate, non-canonical off-shoot, James Bond Jr. spawned its own novels, comics, toys, and games, meaning the one-season show likely inspired young viewers to watch the 007 films.
Which Classic Bond Characters Appeared In James Bond Jr.
With the rights to the James Bond franchise in a bit of a bind during the time of James Bond Jr.‘s airing, the series’ titular MI6 agent didn’t cameo in the spin-off cartoon series. However, while 007 never appeared in James Bond Jr., quite a few other familiar faces cropped up throughout the one-season outing. For example, IQ, the grandson of Q, and Gordo, the son of Felix Leiter, are James Bond Jr.’s close friends. Although Tracy isn’t the daughter of a preexisting Bond character, her first name is an ode to 007’s late wife, while Phoebe Farragut (Susan Silo) parallels the films’ Miss Moneypenny character.
Additionally, several franchise villains appear across the series’ 65 episodes — though they are portrayed in a decidedly more cartoonish light than their film counterparts. One of the James Bond series’ most iconic villains, Jaws, is a recurring henchman in James Bond Jr., and is often spotted alongside Nick Nack, a baddie from The Man With The Golden Gun. Alongside his daughter, Goldie Finger, and henchman Oddjob, Auric Goldfinger shows up in several James Bond Jr. outings, as does Doctor No. Moreover, some fans of the series believe S.C.U.M.’s leader, Scumlord, is actually a well-disguised Ernst Stavro Blofeld, though that will likely never be confirmed.
