Bond 26: 5 Things Nobody Wants From The Next 007 Movie

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A new James Bond film is currently being developed, and it’s set to be a significant turning point for the series. This 26th installment will begin a fresh chapter for 007, following Daniel Craig’s final appearance in No Time to Die (2021). Amazon now owns the rights to the Bond films after acquiring MGM. This will be the first Bond movie of the 21st century not fully controlled by Eon Productions and producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli; instead, Amy Pascal (known for the Spider-Man films) and David Heyman (the Harry Potter movies) are taking the lead on the project.

Now that Amazon MGM has acquired the James Bond franchise, fans are wondering how the movies will evolve. The choice of Denis Villeneuve (known for Dune) to direct the next film, Bond 26, with a script from Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders), is a positive sign. However, some worry that this combination of artistic and mainstream talent could lead to a Bond film that’s drastically different from what fans expect.

Here are 5 things that nobody wants to see from the next James Bond movie.

5) No Throwback Nostalgia

The recent James Bond movies seem to have lost their direction, so it makes sense that the producers of the next film might look back to earlier installments for inspiration. Turning Bond into a period piece – a spy series that captures the stylishness, adventure, and classic masculinity of actors like Sean Connery and Roger Moore – could be a smart move. This approach would offer the excitement of classic Bond films without the self-aware humor seen in movies like Kingsman: The Secret Service.

Looking back to old stories isn’t the answer right now. People are focused on today’s world and current global issues, so a spy film set during the Cold War feels too old-fashioned. James Bond needs a fresh start that reflects the present day.

4) No “Grounded & Gritty” Reboot

We’ve seen this before. When Daniel Craig became James Bond with Casino Royale (2006), the series was updated to match the popular trend of realistic and intense action films of the 2000s. Like Batman and other franchises, Bond was reimagined with more violence, a darker tone, and more complex characters. While this approach worked well throughout Craig’s five films, that era is now over.

In Hollywood today, the style once known as “dark and realistic” is often seen as a cliché, having been overdone throughout the 2010s. As Steven Knight and Denis Villeneuve work on the next Bond film, they need to figure out the right tone. But in doing so, they also need to avoid repeating past mistakes.

3) No Franchise Cloning

When Casino Royale came out, some viewers felt Bond was becoming too similar to the fast-paced, gritty spy movies of the 2000s, like the Jason Bourne series. This meant fight scenes were darker, more chaotic, and focused on realistic, brutal combat instead of the classic, carefully planned stunts Bond was known for. Some longtime fans didn’t think it felt true to the character. However, Daniel Craig’s humor and charm in later films helped balance out this new style, preventing it from feeling completely out of place. It was a gamble that could have gone wrong.

While the fast-paced action of films like John Wick and the Marvel movies are popular now, and it might be tempting to copy their style for the next Bond film, let’s avoid that. We also don’t need to create a sprawling, interconnected ‘007 universe’ of movies and shows. Instead, let’s try something fresh and original. This is an opportunity to see what a realistic, gritty action film from a director like Denis Villeneuve would look like. He doesn’t need to borrow from other franchises – audiences are eager to see his unique vision.

2) No Legacy Sequel

We’ve never heard anyone express interest in a movie focusing on James Bond’s children, and we doubt anyone is asking for one. While Hollywood is currently obsessed with legacy sequels – like the upcoming Scream 7, which plans to introduce a new lead – that approach wouldn’t work for Bond. He doesn’t need a story about passing the torch to a new generation.

I have to admit, the idea of continuing the Bond story with Mathilde, Bond and Madeleine’s daughter, is tempting. After No Time to Die ended with Bond sacrificing himself, it leaves the door open to jump forward in time and show Mathilde all grown up, maybe even training to become 007 herself. It would tick the box for a female Bond, but honestly, it feels a little too on-the-nose and cheesy for my taste.

1) No Remakes

Now that Amazon owns MGM, there’s a temptation to reboot all the James Bond movies like Disney does with its classics. Let’s hope they don’t.

With so many classic stories being retold, James Bond has remained remarkably untouched. While Amazon-MGM might attempt to create more faithful adaptations of Ian Fleming’s books, it would likely feel disrespectful to the actors – Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan, and others – who dedicated years to bringing Bond to life and making him a pop culture icon. Everyone has a favorite Bond actor or film that holds a special place in their memories. Future movies should build on that established history and pay tribute to it, rather than trying to erase it.

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2025-12-01 23:15