July 10th 2024.
James Bond has been a household name for over six decades, captivating audiences with his charm, wit, and daring adventures. As an icon of British cinema and culture, the suave secret agent first graced the silver screen in 1962 and has since become a beloved figure in the world of film.
With Daniel Craig's departure from the role after his success in No Time To Die, fans have been eagerly speculating about who will take on the coveted role next. It's been two years since the 56-year-old actor waved goodbye, leaving a void that has yet to be filled. Sir Sean Connery was the first of seven actors to bring the iconic character to life, setting the stage for a long-standing legacy with his performance in Dr. No.
But before Bond made his big-screen debut, he was introduced to the world through Ian Fleming's Casino Royale novel, originally published in 1953. Since then, 007 has driven cars off bridges, dodged countless bullets, and, of course, seduced numerous women who crossed his path. However, as 25 films and six decades have passed, one can't help but wonder what plots from Fleming's books are left for Bond to explore.
In the world of Bond, anything is possible. That's why when Daniel Craig announced he would not be returning as 007, fans were left wondering if there were any James Bond books that had not yet been adapted. The answer is yes. Ian Fleming wrote a total of 14 books for the franchise, including 11 novels and collections of short stories. Although the author passed away in 1964 at the age of 56, Bond continued to be written and adapted. In fact, there are now almost 40 written works by seven different authors in the franchise, including comics and spin-off books.
The films are primarily based on Ian Fleming's novels and short stories, with Timothy Dalton's The Living Daylights being the last Fleming adaptation before Casino Royale. But there's more to the story. Author Anthony Horowitz wrote the latest Bond novel, With a Mind to Kill, published in 2022. In this book, 007 is accused of M's murder, adding a new twist to the franchise. Interestingly, Casino Royale, despite being the first book published, was the last to be adapted into a film, marking Craig's debut as Bond in 2006.
The Fleming books actually ran out in the 1980s, during Timothy Dalton's tenure as the martini-drinking agent. Licence to Kill was the first film to step away from the book titles and bring in plots from other novels. While some adaptations have been more faithful to the original stories than others, unless another novel by Fleming is published posthumously, there are no more original Bond novels left.
So, what plots from the books are left for Bond to use? With the blurred lines between adaptations, it's challenging to pinpoint specific plots that have not yet been used. However, there are still plenty of gaps and hidden gems throughout the novels that could be explored. For instance, the original plot of The Spy That Loved Me was abandoned in the film, as the first third of the book does not even feature Bond until he saves a woman from two murderous men at a motel. This gritty plot may not be the best for launching a new 007, but it could pave the way for a more horror-heavy, realistic Bond.
Other plots that haven't been fully adapted include the disposing of a murdered character's body in The Hildebrand Rarity and Bond's involvement in bringing down crooked horse racing in Diamonds Are Forever. And if we look beyond the Fleming content, there are even more plots to dive into for the new, yet-to-be-announced, Bond. Who knows, there could even be unpublished material from the original author just waiting to be used in future works.
When it comes to the next James Bond, producers have remained tight-lipped about who they hope will fill Craig's shoes. With his record-breaking tenure as the longest-serving 007, the bar has been set high. Rumors have been flying about potential contenders, from Aaron Taylor-Johnson to Idris Elba, Cillian Murphy, and Henry Cavill. But as of now, it's still anyone's game.
Bookies are favoring Bridgerton heartthrob Jonathan Bailey, with Coral Betting saying he has entered the race and seen his odds slashed from 10/1 to just 4/1. Other British names in the mix include James Norton, Taron Egerton, Leo Woodall, and Theo James. And let's not forget about Gladiator 2 lead actor Paul Mescal and Bailey's former Bridgerton co-star Regé-Jean Page, who are also top contenders for the role.
In the end, it's all speculation until an official announcement is made. But one thing is for sure, whoever takes on the role of the next James Bond has big shoes to fill and a legacy to uphold. With over 40 novels and countless films, the world of Bond is constantly expanding and evolving, leaving endless possibilities for the future of this iconic character.
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