The next movie in the James Bond franchise will come out eventually, but it’s taking far longer than fans expected. The first movie in the spy franchise, which is based on Ian Flemming’s series of novels, was released back in 1962. Since the release of Dr. No, six actors have played James Bond, not including David Niven’s portrayal of 007 in the 1967 parody film Casino Royale. Since it is customary for actors to pᴀss on the role to someone else eventually, it was not a surprise that 2021’s No Time to Die was Daniel Craig’s last time playing 007.

However, it is a surprise that the upcoming Bond 26 has been stuck in development for so long. Currently, it seems like No Time to Die and Bond 26 will have the longest gap between two James Bond movies. Previously, that distinction belonged to the six-year gap between 1989’s License to Kill and 1995’s GoldenEye. In the early 1990s, there was a lot of behind-the-scenes drama with the James Bond franchise, and history has seemed to repeat itself. Therefore, here are seven reasons why James Bond 26 is taking so long to happen:

7

Amazon’s Purchase Of MGM Delayed James Bond 26

Amazon Continues To Establish Itself As A Major Movie Studio

In March 2022, Amazon finalized a deal to purchase Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for $8.45 billion. Throughout the franchise’s history, MGM distributed all 25 James Bond movies and two unofficial films about the iconic spy. Since Amazon and MGM were in negotiations for a long time, well before the release of No Time to Die, it was expected that Bond 26 would be slightly delayed. After all, Amazon’s purchase of the distributor was bound to cause some major shakeups.

Usually, the next James Bond movie would start being developed while one is in production. This is precisely why there is only a year-long gap between several movies in the series, specifically during the Sean Connery and Roger Moore eras of the franchise. However, since EON Productions was expecting shakeups behind the scenes as a result of Amazon and MGM’s deal, it’s obvious that there wasn’t a clear plan for Bond 26 when No Time to Die was in production or when it was released.

6

Barbara Broccoli & Michael Wilson’s Exit

Every James Bond Movie Has Been Produced By A Member Of The Broccoli Family

In 2024, years after the acquisition of MGM, there were reports that longtime franchise producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson were having creative differences with representatives from Amazon. Since Broccoli and Wilson both inherited the James Bond franchise from their father, Albert Broccoli, they were obviously very important to the success of the series. However, Broccoli and Wilson have both left the franchise and Amazon now has full creative control of James Bond.

This means that Bond 26 will be the start of a new era for the franchise. Before the announcement that Broccoli and Wilson were leaving the franchise, they likely had plans in place for Bond 26. However, that no longer matters since Amazon can now decide what direction they want to take the franchise in. Since Amazon now has full creative control, progress will likely finally start being made on Bond 26, but it’s clear that behind-the-scenes differences have already set the movie back years.

5

Daniel Craig’s Era Makes It Hard To Reboot

Craig’s James Bond Movies Were All Very Successful

Before Craig took over as 007 in 2006’s Casino Royale, all the James Bond movies were technically part of the same continuity. This could be somewhat confusing, since James Bond was played by multiple different actors, which is precisely why Casino Royale served as a sort of soft reboot for the franchise and started a new continuity. Compared to previous James Bond movies, Craig’s films were much more serious and had a darker, more mature tone.

This proved to be a much-needed change for the franchise, and led to all of Craig’s James Bond movies being major commercial successes. In fact, Craig’s five films are the five highest-grossing James Bond movies ever (via The Numbers). Additionally, most of Craig’s James Bond films were major critical successes. Casino Royale, Skyfall, and No Time to Die, in particular, are often regarded as three of the best James Bond movies ever. Therefore, it will be very difficult for Bond 26 to reboot the franchise yet again after Craig’s successful tenure as the iconic spy.

4

Finding The Next James Bond Actor Is Very Difficult

There Are Many Great Options For The Next James Bond

Obviously, the last five James Bond movies wouldn’t have been nearly as successful if Craig wasn’t an excellent 007. Arguably, Craig is the best James Bond actor ever, which will undoubtedly put a lot of pressure on the next person who plays the spy. Since Craig was so well-received in the role, Amazon has to take the required amount of time to find the perfect actor to play James Bond.

As of now, it has not been announced who will play the next James Bond. However, fans have suggested many different options. According to GQ, Aaron Taylor-Jonhson, Theo James, and Henry Cavill have the best chances to be cast as 007. Reportedly, Amazon is looking for someone in their 30s who can play the character for at least a decade. This could rule out Cavill and even James, but there are plenty of young actors who fans think are greatly suited to playing James Bond. Overall, it’s obvious that this is a tough decision for Amazon.

3

James Bond 26 Needs To Find The Perfect Director

Bond 26 Needs A Visionary Filmmaker

In addition to finding the perfect actor to play James Bond in a new era of the franchise, Amazon also needs to find a great director to helm Bond 26. Directors have actually never been a major talking point in the James Bond franchise since Broccoli and Wilson were both very involved producers. However, since the production of Bond 26 will likely be much different, the movie will need a talented director.

While it’s still very early in the pre-production process, acclaimed director Alfonso Cuarón, who has helmed movies like Gravity and Children of Men, has been rumored for Bond 26. Additionally, it has also been rumored that Christopher Nolan may direct the project. Nolan is not only one of the most acclaimed filmmakers in the world, but also a well-known James Bond fan, so it would be great if Amazon managed to hire him. Regardless of who directs Bond 26, there will definitely be an immense amount of pressure on their shoulders, which makes this an important decision for Amazon.

2

Most Of Ian Flemming’s James Bond Stories Have Already Been Adapted

Flemming Wrote 12 James Bond Novels & Two Short Story Collections

Finding a lead actor and director is important, but Bond 26 also needs to have a gripping story that will get fans invested in the new era of the franchise. Because of this, it’s worth noting that most of Flemming’s novels and short stories about Bond have been adapted already. Practically none of the James Bond movies have been completely faithful adaptations of Flemming’s novels, but most of them take inspiration from some of the author’s work. For example, No Time to Die’s story is inspired by the character arc 007 undergoes in the novel You Only Live Twice.

Basically every James Bond movie has taken bits and pieces of Flemming’s stories about the spy. Therefore, for years, it’s been inevitable that the franchise is going to run out of source material eventually. This may be the case for Bond 26, which means that the writers of the film will have to come up with a wholly original story. This is obviously not impossible, but it could easily delay the production process of Bond 26.

1

James Bond 26 May Set Up Several Spinoffs

The James Bond Franchise Will Become Bigger Than Ever Under Amazon

Coming up with the story for Bond 26 will be even more difficult for Amazon and the writers since the film will likely set up many different spinoffs. Now that Amazon has full creative control of the franchise, it is expected that they will produce several James Bond spinoff projects, in addition to the mainline films. Therefore, it would not be surprising if spinoffs following characters like Moneypenny and Felix Leiter will be released in the coming years.

If this is Amazon’s plan, then the company has to focus on an overarching story for the entire James Bond franchise, rather than the story of just one movie. If Amazon takes the traditional franchise route with James Bond, then Bond 26 will likely tease shows and other movies set in the same universe. This proves that James Bond truly is entering a brand-new era, and further explains why Bond 26 is taking so long.

Source: GQ