According to reports, James Bond writers are facing a dead end when it comes to moving forward with the franchise. This is because of how Daniel Craig‘s No Time to Die (2021) ended.
Unlike other James Bond films, this spy thriller sees everyone’s favorite agent 007 meet his demise after being poisoned by nanobots and caught in a missile strike. Now the question is, how do you move on from there?
As per Radar Online‘s sources, the writers are currently having a “huge creative headache” about how to revive the fan-favorite franchise. A source close to the production stated that No Time to Die‘s ending has writers “tearing their hair out“. They continued,
Bond didn’t just vanish off a cliff or fake his death – he was blown to pieces on screen. Everyone agrees it was a massive mistake because Bond is supposed to be eternal. They are now stuck trying to find a believable way to resurrect him, and it is proving almost impossible.
Meanwhile, author Anthony Horowitz, who was commissioned by the Ian Fleming estate to pen three official Bond books, voiced his concerns about the same. He said, “If I was asked tomorrow to write the script, I wouldn’t be able to do it. Where would you start? You can’t have him waking up in the shower and saying it was all a dream.
Despite his experience with the character, Horowitz was never asked to be a part of the films, and he doesn’t want to be included either. He said, “You need thick skin for that business. I’m probably happier out of it.“
Casting the Next James Bond Is a Headache for the Studio
When Daniel Craig was announced as the new James Bond, people had their fair share of doubts. But that was until he proved everyone wrong with the 2006 film, Casino Royale. Now, the studio needs to find someone as charming as Craig, if not more, to take the mantle next.
Insiders tell Radar Online that the script is not the only reason the studio is in shambles at the moment. They are also worried about casting the next Bond, which can’t happen unless they have a script.
The insider involved in the franchise’s early discussions said,
The headache is not just about the script. Until they decide how to deal with Bond’s death, they can’t cast the new actor. It affects everything, from the tone of the story to the timeline they choose. Right now, nobody has the answer.
If you ask fans, they already have the perfect actor picked out: Henry Cavill. While that may never turn into reality, there are other names that keep popping up in the 007 discussions, including Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Theo James, Regé-Jean Page, and more.
Daniel Craig Couldn’t Care Less Who Takes the Mantle
While usually actors have a lot to say about the franchise they have been a part of for years, Craig is more than ready to leave the James Bond chapter of his life behind.
When asked by Variety who he sees in his shoes next, Craig simply laughed and replied, “I don’t care“. As simple as that. Why? Perhaps because he is out of that world and would like to stay out of it in all means.
Talking to the BBC in 2022, Craig said that after giving the franchise 17 years of his life, he is ready to spend the next phase of his life untangling himself from the Bond world. He said,
I had an incredibly fortunate 17 years of my life making this. I literally want to spend the next 20 years of my life trying to unhook it all and try and put it into a place because it was incredible. I left it where I wanted it to be. And that I was given the chance to do that with the last movie.
So to sum it all up, there is reportedly no script, no leading actor, and the former 007 doesn’t have any more cares to give. Only time will tell where the spy thriller franchise heads next.
Until then, let us know who you think should be the next Bond in the comments section below!
Stream Craig’s James Bond films on Prime Video.
