Credit: MGM/EON ProductionsDaniel Craig‘s exit as James Bond was the most explosive in the entire franchise (literally). After appearing in Casino Royale (2006), Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012), and Spectre (2015), the final film, No Time to Die (2021), did the unthinkable and killed off 007.
This was the first time 007 had ever been killed on screen. At the same time, it also neatly closed the book on Craig’s Bond era, making it impossible for him to return. Or so it seemed.
Related: Meet the New James Bond in the Upcoming ‘007’ Reboot
While Amazon MGM Studios is developing a new James Bond film, one that will cast a new actor in the role, it’s possible that Craig will one day return as the MI6 secret agent. After all, he would hardly be the first to make a comeback after another actor has taken up the mantle.
Sean Connery starred in Dr. No (1962), From Russia with Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965), and You Only Live Twice (1967) consecutively, before George Lazenby played Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969).
But Lazenby never returned after his one film, leaving Connery to reprise his role in Diamonds Are Forever (1971) before passing the torch to Roger Moore, whose clean streak ran from Live and Let Die (1973), The Man with the Golden Gun (1974), The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), Moonraker (1979), For Your Eyes Only (1981), through to Octopussy (1983).
But Connery would return in the non-Eon-produced film Never Say Never Again in late 1983, a few months after Moore’s Octopussy. That was Connery’s final appearance as the iconic character, and Moore would complete his own Bond era with A View to a Kill (1985), leaving Timothy Dalton to take the reins, and then Pierce Brosnan, and eventually, Craig.
Whether or not Craig would follow that pattern, though, remains to be seen.
When Bond is killed off at the end of No Time to Die, it seemingly left zero suggestion he might have somehow survived. Not only do we see a barrage of missiles rain down on him, but his vital signs later confirm his demise. With that said, this is the James Bond franchise, and perhaps, to quote Daniel Craig himself, he’s still out there somewhere “enjoying death.”
Last year, a source close to the production of the new film claimed that “writers are tearing their hair out” trying to figure out a way of bringing 007 back, adding that “Bond didn’t just vanish off a cliff or fake his death – he was blown to pieces on screen,” and that “everyone agrees it was a massive mistake because Bond is supposed to be eternal.”
The report went on to say that “they are now stuck trying to find a believable way to resurrect him, and it is proving almost impossible.”
But this report is likely false, as the new film — which is being helmed by director Denis Villeneuve (Blade Runner 2049 and the Dune films) with a screenplay from Steven Knight (the creator of Peaky Blinders) — is positioned as a reboot with a new actor set to play 007.
Who’s Next to Play 007?
As for who will play Bond next, that remains to be seen.
Several big names have done the rounds since No Time to Die, including Tom Holland (Spider-Man: No Way Home), Aaron Taylor-Johnson (28 Years Later), Idris Elba (Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw), Henry Golding (Last Christmas), and most recently, Jacob Elordi (Wuthering Heights) and Callum Turner (Eternity).
However, Amazon MGM Studios has now confirmed that the hunt for the next 007 has officially begun, with casting director Nina Gold reportedly leading the search.
Related: Previous James Bond’s Return in New Sequel Confirmed, Title and Release Date Revealed
A New James Bond Is Already Here
Meanwhile, a new James Bond reboot has already arrived in the form of IO Interactive’s 007 First Light, which introduces a new, younger version of the character, played by Irish actor Patrick Gibson, who starred in the Paramount+ series Dexter: Original Sin (2024).
The game also stars Priyanga Burford (M), Kiera Lester (Miss Moneypenny), Naomie Ackie (Miss Roth), Alastair Mackenzie (Q), Lennie James (John Greenway), Gemma Chan (Selina Tan), and Lenny Kravitz (Bawma).
“Follow James Bond as a young, resourceful, and sometimes reckless recruit in MI6’s training program, and discover an origin story of the world’s most famous spy,” the official synopsis reads.
There’s no release date for the James Bond film.
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