Nobody knows what the future of the James Bond franchise looks like, but Amazon’s takeover means that spinoffs, TV shows and unexpected sequels are all more likely than ever. James Bond fans have concerns after this latest piece of news, as leaked details suggest that Amazon is keen on expanding the franchise. Although Bond has been around since the 1960s, it has never ventured into spinoffs like other major franchises, and fans are worried that an inundation of new movies and TV shows could reduce the overall quality and hamper the legacy of 007.
The next James Bond movie could make or break the franchise, but it might not be the only Bond project on the horizon. Amazon’s takeover means that there are plenty more possibilities that could be explored. Fans will have their own opinions about the relative merits of each idea, but it seems increasingly likely that flat-out resisting the idea of Bond spinoffs may be a losing battle in the not-too-far future. This is both exciting and worrying, as there are plenty of projects up in the air.
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A Felix Leiter Spinoff
The CIA Agent Has Been One Of Bond’s Closest Allies
One of the biggest concerns over the future of the Bond franchise is that Amazon’s takeover could erase the distinctly British idenтιтy that has made 007 such a popular character since the 1960s. While casting an American actor as the next James Bond would be extremely divisive, a Felix Leiter spinoff could be a less contentious move. Felix has been one of Bond’s closest allies since he showed up in Dr. No, and he’s always a welcome presence when he pops up in a new era of the franchise.
If Amazon wants to start exploring spinoffs, Felix is an obvious candidate for his own project.
Jeffrey Wright is the most recent actor to play Felix Leiter, but Amazon will almost certainly be looking for a new actor to take on the role in the future. This coud potentially include a movie or TV show with more focus on Felix’s work for the CIA. It always seems as though Felix has plenty of exciting adventures of his own, but the Bond franchise doesn’t really show much of his story. If Amazon wants to start exploring spinoffs, Felix is an obvious candidate for his own project, since he could carry a movie or TV show without betraying the essence of Bond.
6
The Young Bond Series
Charlie Higson’s Series Could Finally Get Adaptations
Charlie Higson’s Young Bond novels proved to be extremely popular in the 2000s, but an adaptation never seemed like a real possibility until now. The young adult novels follow James Bond’s time at the prestigious Eton College, as he takes his first tentative steps into a world of danger and espionage. If Amazon wanted to broaden the appeal of the franchise to engage with younger audiences, these Bond prequels could be on the table.
After Charlie Higson’s original novels, Steve Cole continued the series.
The Young Bond novels are set in the 1930s, which could fit with the often-touted suggestion that Bond 26 could take place in the 1960s to take the character back to Ian Fleming’s time. Otherwise, a Young Bond movie or TV series would have to be updated so that it could take place much later. This would necessitate cutting the pre-war context, but this could be replaced with a Cold War-era story, depending on the age of the actor cast in Bond 26. At the very least, a Young Bond spinoff is something worth considering for Amazon.
5
An M Spinoff
M Has Been A Mainstay In The Bond Franchise
M is the codename given to the head of MI6 in the James Bond franchise. Each iteration of the character has had a slightly different relationship with Bond, starting with Bernard Lee’s portrayal as a stern schoolmaster-type who nevertheless displays plenty of affection for his least careful and most gifted agent. Judi Dench’s portrayal sits at the other end of the spectrum, as she’s unafraid to stand up to Bond when he steps out of line. In return, Bond treats her with a lot of respect and admiration.
Only a few Bond movies give M a sizable role, with Skyfall being one notable example. A spinoff focusing on M could dive into the politics of espionage and international diplomacy in more detail. It would be a different kind of prospect to the main James Bond movies, but a little less action and some more political drama could be just what Amazon is looking for in a TV series related to the franchise.
4
A Series About Q Branch
Q’s Gadgets Come And Go Throughout The Franchise
Since the Sean Connery era, Q has been on hand to supply gadgets and gizmos to James Bond to ᴀssist him in his missions. This has included everything from pens which can be used as tracking devices to jetpacks and invisible cars. Not all movies feature Q, and some that do only feature a single scene in which he runs Bond through the latest inventions at Q Branch. There’s certainly some untapped potential for a spinoff series.
A spinoff about Q Branch could lean into the goofier side of Bond, since the wacky gadgets often go hand-in-hand with the franchise’s campest, funnest moments. The gadgets in James Bond are a central part of the character’s ethos, and they often highlight his most outrageous quirks. This means that a Q Branch spinoff could be more comedic, although the potential to show different gadgets in the field means it could also be an action series.
3
A Female 007 Movie Or TV Show
People Have Been Calling For More Female Representation For Years
The James Bond franchise has come a long way in its representation of women, and a female-focused spinoff could be the next step. The role of a “Bond girl” has evolved over the years, culminating in No Time to Die‘s introduction of Paloma, alongside Lashanna Lynch’s female 007. While calls for a female James Bond are often sH๏τ down by the majority of fans, a spinoff featuring a different MI6 agent could be more appealing.
Of all Amazon’s spinoff ideas, this is one that many people could have predicted.
The Bond franchise has had a couple of female villains, and a few great female allies. Lynch’s role in No Time to Die shows that the 007 tag could be pᴀssed to a woman, but it would also be interesting to a female agent with another 00 codename potentially working alongside Bond. Of all Amazon’s spinoff ideas, this is one that many people could have predicted. It could be a great way to add more female representation to espionage and action movies.
2
Amazon’s Proposed Moneypenny Spinoff
Moneypenny Has Changed More Than Most Bond Characters
The difference between Lois Maxwell’s version of Miss Moneypenny and Naomie Harris’ couldn’t be more extreme. To begin with, Miss Moneypenny is only ever seen sitting behind a desk outside M’s office. She doesn’t have much of a role in the movies except to flirt with Bond as he walks through the door. By contrast, Eve Moneypenny in the Daniel Craig era is another action hero, ᴀssisting Bond in the field when necessary. Still, news of Amazon’s interest in a Moneypenny spinoff has come as a surprise.
Movies like Ocean’s 8 and the 2016 Ghostbusters reboot show that arbitrarily injecting female characters into franchises previously led by men can create backlash. Casting a woman as the next Bond would be just as unpopular, but a Moneypenny spinoff is one idea that could work. It’s an unexpected choice, and it would still have its critics, but it could be a good compromise between Bond’s past and its uncharted future. It’s unlikely that Naomie Harris would return, so casting is vital.
1
A Blofeld Origin Story (Or Other Villains)
Bond’s Many Iconic Villains Could Get More Attention
Like the cars, gadgets and girls, James Bond’s villains have always been a beloved staple of the franchise. No villain is as synonymous with Bond as Blofeld, who has appeared in eight Eon Productions movies. If the Bond franchise were run slightly differently, it’s entirely possible that there would have already been a Blofeld spinoff or origin story by now. The closest the franchise has come has been the widely-derided twist that reveals a bit about Blofeld’s backstory in Spectre.
Blofeld isn’t the only Bond villain who could sustain his own spinoff. Perhaps a SPECTRE series could look at other characters like Emilio Largo, Dr. No and Rosa Klebb. Another possibility is an anthology series of sorts, which could provide more detail about other fan favorites like Scamanga or Goldfinger. With Amazon’s new era of the Bond franchise looking extremely unclear, there are countless possibilities on the table. Until more news comes through, anything is possible in the world of James Bond.
James Bond
The James Bond franchise follows the adventures of British secret agent 007 as he combats global threats. With a license to kill, Bond faces off against various villains and criminal organizations, employing high-tech gadgets, espionage, and charm. The series spans multiple films, featuring exotic locations, thrilling action sequences, and memorable characters. Bond’s mission to protect the world and uphold justice remains central, making the franchise an enduring icon in the spy genre.
- Created by
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Ian Fleming, Albert R. Broccoli
- First Film
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Dr. No
- Latest Film
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No Time to Die
Summary
The James Bond franchise centers on the fictional British Secret Service agent James Bond, also known by his code number 007. Created by writer Ian Fleming in 1953, Bond has been featured in novels, films, television, radio, comics, and video games. The film series, produced by Eon Productions, is one of the longest-running and highest-grossing franchises in history, known for its blend of espionage, action, and sophisticated style.
