The James Bond movies have recast Ian Fleming’s iconic characters many times, but Casino Royale pulled off a genius trick in its casting of Judi Dench as M, one that can’t be repeated in Bond 26. The Bond films before Daniel Craig’s time in the role didn’t have much continuity, with each subsequent movie mostly ignoring the prior and following its own plot. However, there was one through-line between 007s and movies: the role of M. The next James Bond might have to learn to work with a new M, though, as the character’s casting trick won’t work anymore.
Traditionally, whoever played M remained in the role for several movies, regardless of who played Bond. Dench’s first appearance as M was in Pierce Brosnan’s Goldeneye, but she remained as the character well into Craig’s time as 007, with her last appearance coming in Skyfall. Craig’s movies established a more concrete continuity, which creates problems for the current M, Ralph Fiennes’, portrayal of the role. Much is still unknown about Bond 26’s story, but 007’s death in No Time to Die might signal that a hard reboot is coming, and that M would need to be recast for Bond 26.
Daniel Craig’s 007 Era Having Continuity Means James Bond 26 Needs A New M
Bond had consequences that lasted through multiple movies for the first time in Daniel Craig’s era. Casino Royale showed Bond at the start of his career in espionage, and the next movies followed his quest for revenge for Vesper’s death in that movie. Since Craig’s Bond story has come to a definitive end, it wouldn’t make sense to have characters from the same movies where 007 is permanently out of commission. A new Bond will have to start a new story for the famous spy, and it might not have room for any actors from Craig’s era.
Who Could Play M In James Bond 26?
Whoever plays M will have to have fantastic on-screen chemistry with the next Bond, as the previous MI6 leaders set a high bar. Olivia Colman was suggested to replace M, but other names could also do the part justice. Some popular choices of actors who could be cast as M include Tilda Swinton, Adjoa Andoh, and Sir Ben Kingsley. Any of them would bring the necessary sophistication and range the role requires. No matter who plays M, they will have to define the character in a brand-new story, which is why having strong chemistry with Bond is also important.
The next James Bond movie still has many characters to cast, including 007, but finding a replacement for M may prove more challenging than it has in the past. M used to be a constant in a series that had little continuity, but Daniel Craig’s time as Bond introduced a more cohesive storyline. That continuity, combined with 007’s death in No Time to Die, means that a new story, and a new M, are needed for Bond 26.
