Warning: Major spoilers ahead for No Time To Die
Despite the movie's dramatic climax and seemingly definitive sense of finality, No Time To Die still declares that "James Bond will return". Although the signature title card, which bookends the film's end credits, is a regular feature in the Bond series, its presence here is somewhat surprising, given No Time To Die's conclusion. However, given James Bond's storied place in cinema, it is perhaps inevitable that the character will make a comeback, even without Daniel Craig.
Unlike other James Bond movies, No Time To Die takes the radical decision to kill off the main character during the film's conclusion. After infiltrating the so-called poison island inhabited by the supervillain Safin, Bond and his 007 replacement Nomi conclude that the only way to save the world is to blow up the base. This requires manually opening some Second World War-era missile silo doors to allow the explosives to enter the building, rather than harmlessly bouncing off. Unfortunately, thanks to the intervention of Safin, Bond is forced to make the terrible choice between saving himself and ensuring the facility's destruction. He opts for the latter, sacrificing himself in order to destroy the base and save the world.
Considering that not only does Bond appear to die during the movie, but also that No Time To Die represents the definitive end of Daniel Craig's tenure in the role, the revelation that Bond will return might seem slightly surprising. However, both because of the enduring popularity of the franchise and the character's historic reinvention, there are several reasons why the saga may well continue to expand both after the departure of its main superstar and the death of its titular character. In fact, given the wider historical context of the James Bond character, the promise of a new evolution for the franchise is actually extremely exciting.
A key consideration when discussing whether James Bond has a future post-Craig is the continuing popularity of the character. The franchise is already among the most financially successful of all time, netting an estimated $14.2 billion before the release of No Time To Die. As a result, killing such a lucrative cash cow simply doesn't make sense. It's also important to consider that a change in personnel, coupled with the latest movie's shocking conclusion, may well mean that interest around the next installment will be even higher than usual – with intense speculation over the possible direction of the character and the wider Bond narrative. In all likelihood, this could fuel an increased demand from audiences, ensuring the continued success of the saga.
Another factor is that, although killing Bond is certainly a bold move, the wider context around the movies means that it was never going to be a definitive step. For years, rumors have circulated around the likes of Tom Hardy, James Norton and Bridgerton star Regé-Jean Page over who will assume Craig's mantle. While the movie represents an end of sorts, it was never going to bring the entire saga to a close. Despite the self-contained story-arc running throughout Craig's films, Bond has always been capable of reinventing itself with little care for continuity. In fact, Craig's entire time in the role has made it clear just how it's possible to successfully reimagine the character, without destroying the long-established legacy. Although No Time To Die is definitely a significant chapter in the history of these films, past experience makes it clear that there are plenty of ways to bring a fresh perspective to the character, completely separate from what's come before. As such, Bond's return was always going to be a matter of if, rather than when.
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October 08, 2021 at 11:59PM
