I assume that everyone noted that the time tested series, James Bond, recently made the rounds in the news headlines with its alleged “popcorn dropping moment”. So first lets get back to basics.
The James Bond series focuses on a fictional British Secret Service agent as created in 1953 by Ian Fleming. Since Fleming’s death in 1964, eight other authors have written other Bond novels, some being more of a continuation while others are more in the vein of DVD extras. The latest novel being Forever and a Day by Anthony Horowitz, published in May 2018.
The films are the longest continually running film series of all time and have grossed over $7.040 billion in total, making it the fourth-highest-grossing film series to date, which started in 1962 with Dr. No, starring Sean Connery as Bond.
The Bond films are renowned for a number of features, including its music, with the theme songs having received Academy Award nominations on several occasions, and two wins.
Adele won with Skyfall back in 2013, with Sam Smith following suit with Writing’s on the Wall with the following film, Spectre.
Other important elements which run through most of the films include Bond’s cars, his guns, and the gadgets with which he is supplied by Q Branch, i.e. Tech nerd Heaven. The films are also noted for Bond’s relationships with various women, who are sometimes referred to as “Bond girls”.
The next Bond movie won’t be released until April 8, 2020, but Bond 25 has already faced a plethora of challenges. Starting with director Danny Boyle quitting over creative differences, but there is some good news. It was recently announced that British actress Lashana Lynch is set to become the new 007, with many assuming she’ll be taking over for Daniel Craig in the titular role. However, that’s not exactly the case.
Firstly, the original James Bond (Daniel Craig) will still be in the film contemporaneously with the new 007. So, unless there is a rule at MI7 that all 007 have to be Bonds, she most probably isn’t the new Bond.
Apart from that once one digs in a little deeper regarding the role of our new 007, her role is more in the vein of being the next “Bond girl”. Not exactly the empowering feminist role that some people were hoping for. Although, it would certainly make things interesting if she turns him down. Nonetheless, having a woman of colour in the role is leap forward no one expected.
One thing is for sure though: I can’t wait till the new film.
