Casino Royale holds the secret to the next James Bond movie

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On April 13, 1953, a retired naval officer published his first book, not expecting it to become popular.

He wrote the book as a way to avoid thinking about his wedding. He’d actually told a friend he was embarrassed by how it turned out, and it was only because his well-known brother – a popular travel writer – believed in it that the publisher agreed to publish it.

Casino Royale proved popular with readers, selling almost 5,000 copies in its first month. The book, with its adventurous title and ordinary main character, earned the author accolades from diverse figures like poet John Betjeman and former US President John F. Kennedy.

The author was Ian Fleming, who created the iconic spy James Bond. His work revolutionized the spy thriller genre in both books and movies.

Today, James Bond is entering a new era. Amazon MGM Studios is now in charge of the franchise, taking creative control from the producers who have guided it for many years, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson.

Fans are most curious about what the next James Bond movies will be like. It’s not just about who will play 007, but also what kind of atmosphere the films will have and how this new version of Bond will be different from previous ones.

Bringing on acclaimed director Denis Villeneuve and writer Steven Knight has eased some fan worries, but many are still cautious. The Broccoli family has expertly guided the James Bond series for over 25 films and decades, and it remains to be seen if the new team can maintain that level of success.

The new producers, Amy Pascal and David Heyman, would be smart to take a similar approach and focus on the original elements that made the project successful.

As a lifelong Bond fan, I’ve always known the source material mattered, and Barbara Broccoli – whose father, the legendary Cubby Broccoli, oversaw every Bond film for nearly three decades, starting with ‘Dr. No’ all the way through ‘Licence to Kill’ – has consistently emphasized how much the original Ian Fleming novels influenced the way Bond was brought to life on screen.

Right now, a lot of talk about the next James Bond movie is just guessing, but the original novels by Ian Fleming offer solid clues about how filmmakers could reimagine the character and the series.

Casino Royale is a crucial first look at James Bond, establishing both his personality and the world he inhabits. It’s often used as a starting point when a new actor takes on the role of 007.

Timothy Dalton’s first Bond movie, The Living Daylights, was initially intended to show how Bond became a secret agent, but that idea was later changed. The film strongly references Casino Royale by revisiting SMERSH, a Soviet spy organization, and its ‘Death to Spies’ operation, which kicks off the plots of both films.

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It’s fitting that Pierce Brosnan’s first James Bond film, GoldenEye, features a baccarat scene with the villain Xenia Onatopp – a direct nod to the same scene with Le Chiffre in the original Ian Fleming novel.

When Daniel Craig took over as Bond, his first film was a complete retelling of Casino Royale, and it really worked. So, as Pascal, Heyman, Villeneuve, and Knight try to breathe new life into the franchise, I think they’d be smart to look closely at that novel again – it’s a strong foundation to build on.

Considering everything, what clues does the book give us about the possible directions the next James Bond film, Bond 26, might take?

Even though the James Bond story of Casino Royale has been adapted for film before, there are still scenes and ideas from the novel that haven’t been shown on the big screen.

There’s a dramatic card game scene where Bond is secretly threatened with a gun that would translate well to the screen. And a particularly brutal moment – where Bond is cut with a knife to identify him as a spy, requiring a skin graft – would be a shocking way to introduce the new actor playing James Bond.

The story of how Bond earned his 00 status differs significantly from what’s shown in the opening scene of the 2006 film. Now that Daniel Craig’s Bond has concluded his story, it’s a good moment to revisit those early missions and potentially develop them into a full origin story.

The book also offers a deeper look into the complex personality of James Bond. This Bond, introduced in Casino Royale, is highly trained and calm, maintaining a strict routine like cold showers and always keeping a gun nearby. However, he’s also shown to be more vulnerable and relatable than how he’s often portrayed in the movies.

This James Bond isn’t the unflappable hero we often see. He questions whether he can succeed – not just in the crucial card game in the story, but also in winning over Vesper Lynd. He understands he’s not perfect and accepts that he’ll likely stumble, whether because of love or simply bad luck.

This James Bond isn’t just facing danger – he’s experiencing real, intense physical pain. The book’s famous torture scene is even more harrowing to read than it was to watch, and a significant portion of the story focuses on Bond’s difficult and slow recovery in a care facility as he tries to regain his strength.

Daniel Craig’s performance was praised for adding depth and vulnerability to James Bond, and it would be difficult for future films to move away from that more realistic portrayal. So, if the next Bond movie looks back at earlier films for ideas, don’t anticipate a return to the lighthearted, campy style of Roger Moore’s Bond.

One of the most intriguing ideas in Ian Fleming’s novel comes from its famous chapter, ‘The Nature of Evil.’

Following the difficult and upsetting events at Le Chiffre’s villa, this chapter features a conversation between Bond and René Mathis. They discuss complex ideas like what defines heroes and villains, the concepts of good and evil, and whether simply fulfilling one’s obligations always leads to positive outcomes.

Surprisingly, it’s not Mathis making the argument – but Bond.

Bond confesses that if Le Chiffre were present, he would kill him, but solely for personal revenge, not out of patriotism or a sense of duty. He then declares his intention to quit the service.

The Bond movies have hinted at a Bond who’s lost faith – he’s left MI6 several times and even lost his 00 status – but he’s rarely outright refused to do what he sees as his duty, even when disagreeing with his bosses.

Is it possible the latest James Bond could actually oppose the government? It would have seemed impossible before, but the previous film, No Time to Die, hinted at this possibility. Ralph Fiennes’s character, M, came dangerously close to acting like a villain due to his involvement in Project Heracles, suggesting a willingness to go against official interests.

If we’re reimagining James Bond, why not update the character of M too – perhaps even as the main villain? It wouldn’t be a huge change to the story, and it would create a compelling and complex challenge for Bond, fitting with the morally grey nature of Fleming’s original character.

No matter where the James Bond story goes next, Amazon has a chance to do something truly innovative, perhaps echoing the spirit of the original novels. While choosing a new 007 is always risky, staying true to Ian Fleming’s vision would significantly improve the chances of success.

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  • Casino Royale by Ian Fleming is available now

Authors

Christian TobinProduction Editor

Christian Tobin leads content production at TopMob, managing all online articles covering TV, movies, gaming, and other topics. Before TopMob, he was the Chief Sub-Editor at Digital Spy. He holds a BA in English Language and Literature from University College London.

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2026-01-02 10:48