Since J.B. (yes, same initials) wants to know from us fans (Really? Then put your money where your mouth is and read our site!)…
What we want to see in the next Bond film
Bond as he was portrayed in the EON years, based on Ian Fleming‘s novels, a strong and fallible man provoking the powerful and stopping their plans to hurt humanity
real stunts
real exciting locations
a hauntingly lyrical song and symphonic score in the vein of John Barry
a spy story which becomes a realistic adventure
a stand-alone mission
What we don’t want to see in the next Bond film
Bond reimagined as a pure and shamelessly loveable hero, as a bro agent, as an American, as protector of the rich and ruling class
universe building
CGI and/or AI used instead of stunts, locations and human scriptwriters
Make the most of exotic locations rather than just using them as establishing shots. Really lean into the vibrant colour, the sun, the jungle, whatever. For the majority of us who don’t live in such places - and for the increasing numbers of us who can no longer afford to visit them or were never able to in the first place - film can do a fine job of transporting us there and rousing the feelings.
But don’t rely on too many different locations per film. To me, that can sometimes result in a feeling that the film is spreading itself too thinly, with each one being under-used.
This is probably counterintuitive - and most certainly will not meet with approval on AmazonMGM’s top floor - but I would advise against a branching out into other characters. Instead, concentrate on Bond.
That need not mean there’s no potential for having more Bond: a Young Bond adaptation could be a prestige period adventure that wouldn’t compete with BOND 26 but be its own thing. A War Bond would have potential as SAS - Rogue Heroes proved. At least until some deranged idiot mutters something about ‘both sides’, that might make killing Nazis awkward and ‘controversial’…,
These iterations would a) honour the roots of Fleming and Bond and b) generate the desired ‘content’ while keeping the fanbase onside. For Young Bond there’s even a pretty amazing [sic] source already available and ready to be adapted without too much additional investment.
They’d be sidelines one can enjoy or ignore at will as they wouldn’t impair on BOND 26+. And they’d keep Bond in the conversation (to avoid the term ‘relevant’).
Another project that would mine the existing backlog of films and could even help sell Fleming’s originals would be a show on the traces of Book Bond. Most of the locations have changed considerably since Fleming’s day. Do a show with a well-loved presenter, dig in the archives for atmospheric clips from the first half of last century. If it takes off you can set up a special annotated and illustrated edition of the originals.
If you really want to squeeze it you can even spin it further into the continuations, I have completely forgotten what a ‘Saab 900 turbo’ looks like…
I don’t want remakes/ new adaptations of previous Bond adventures. If this is going to work, then they need to do something new and not just play the hits.
Take some inspiration from Fleming, by all means, but we don’t need another Goldfinger.
If continuation content was explored, I like the idea of Benson’s Union trilogy. Moving away from SPECTRE completely but keeping the energy of a mysterious and deadly organisation. Fresh and contemporary, committing to something new like Quantum but sticking to it this time.
The Union Trilogy is an entertaining read, more cinematic than literary and resembling the Brosnan era: which is what I’d prefer right now. Hell, they could even have characters like Leiter, Tanaka and Draco already established - which would no doubt appeal to spin-off hungry Amazon.
There is zero chance that Amazon will be adapting the continuation novels. EON was never going to do it, but I think there was more of a chance of them eventually venturing down that path than there is of Amazon ever deciding to do it.
Regarding continuations, isn’t the literary James Bond now licensed use by IFP of some trademarks owned by Danjaq? Where does Danjaq stand in all this - has that been sold as well or is that the means by which the Broccolis still notionally own half?
Have never quite grasped the corporate structures of Bond, but then I have never needed to as it is literally not my business. Which is a bit of a pity.
Where does LitBond, both in back catalogue for plundering, and production of new stuff, now find itself?
On reflection, it probably is Danjaq that’s been sold off as it does own particular trademarks without which Bond would be unworkable, and Eon remains the means by which the Broccoli family can explore new ventures. I accept this is anonymous internet speculation and therefore possessed of little significance or accuracy.
Perhaps a coincidence but it’s peculiar Corinne Turner stepped down from the IFP board only recently. That need not mean a lot, she’s been doing this work for decades. Some day people simply retire. And last I heard the books were still family business (and now using ‘James Bond 007’ with Eon permission). The Amazon deal may not touch the literary side at all*.
That said, I’d be surprised if Amazon ignored the books in the way Eon did. Disney’s first move was to dismiss the Star Wars backlist and pronounce them non-canonical - so they could sell the fanbase a whole new library of books and comics together with the old, non-canonical stuff. If Amazon really wants to milk it they might think about a similar concept.
If the Flemings still keep an interest in this they could probably be made to agree for a not overly indecent share of the profits.
*Though having a Llewelyn/Wishaw hybrid Q pouncing about in his books may become a bone of contention now that Amazon has control. May become tricky.