It’s already been a long wait since the last James Bond film hit screens, and Daniel Craig has well and truly moved on. Indeed, he’s been in three movies since hanging up his MI6 badge. No Time to Die marked the 57-year-old’s final turn as the legendary spy, and now it’s time for someone else to fill his boots.
It’s imperative that Eon Productions manages to get the next instalment of the franchise right, as it will set the tone for the following offerings.
Lean Into What Made Casino Royale so Successful
Casino Royale kick-started Craig’s Bond tenure in style and leaned into various elements that make 007 so popular. The use of Texas Hold’em poker was a wise move, as it landed on screens during the peak of the poker boom. Times have changed since then, though, and the online casino industry has surpassed that of poker.
Nowadays, one of the most popular ways to play is live casino, with video links to tables with real-world dealers. There are various games available, including Bond’s all-time favourite, baccarat. With that casino classic enjoying a resurgence, it could be a good idea for the next film to stay true to Ian Fleming’s original work and have Bond sit at the baccarat table once again.
Along with Casino Royale benefiting from the inclusion of poker, it was also a highly formulaic Bond offering. It has all the elements needed including stunning locations, a gorgeous sidekick, and an over-the-top villain. The new picture needs to make sure that it ticks all of these boxes, or it will risk upsetting loyal fans of the franchise who don’t want to see too much upheaval.
Include New Elements Sparingly
Even though there are plenty of expected tropes in a Bond film, there’s still the option to try out some new things and introduce fresh elements. Over their long history, the pictures have evolved as society has progressed.
Whatever innovative features the new picture brings in, however, should be done sparingly. One example of an inventive addition could be to explore a situation in which the bad guys leverage current technological trends such as AI. It can still be a classic Bond story, but the tools and techniques of the antagonists are slightly upgraded.
Ensure That the Casting is Right
The most important thing, aside from hitting the right notes with the story, is getting the casting right. This could be the main reason why the new picture is taking so long. The production company is desperate to conduct the process of naming a new Bond rigorously, as whomever lands it will be expected to play the character for a few films.
There have been various names linked with the role, with Sydney Sweeney the latest actor to put her name into the hat. This might be too radical a shift, though, and an example of how new elements should be introduced sparingly. Having some adept female spies to work alongside Bond, for instance, would work well.
The next Bond film should take a lot of ideas from Casino Royale, keeping things simple and including as many classic Bond tropes as possible. The casting will be crucial, and it would be best not to include too many new elements.
