James Bond 26 Sounds Way Too Similar To The Franchise's Next Project

James Bond‘s next movie is taking shape, but it might end up being too similar to an upcoming video game adaptation. The full scope and shape of James Bond’s future has been in question since No Time to Die killed off the Daniel Craig version of the character. Speculation only intensified after Amazon MGM recruited Denis Villiéveue for the project.

The earliest indications of the film suggest that the filmmaker is looking for a younger, unknown actor to take on the role, which eliminates many of the famous supposed contenders for the part. However, Villiéveue and MGM need to be careful, as the story that’s reportedly being considered will feel too familiar for fans who also happen to be gamers.

James Bond’s Next Film Seems Like Another Origin Story

Daniel Craig as James Bond in Casino Royale opening тιтles.

Recent news about the next James Bond movie suggests that audiences will be revisiting the early days of the iconic super-spy, in a way that’s also fueling the upcoming James Bond video game 007: First Light. Speculation had been rampant regarding the next Bond movie, but it’s only picked up momentum with the involvement of Denis Villiéveue and Steven Knight.

Predictions for future Bond actors have been a frequent discussion topic since then, but it appears that the expected contenders for the role are now out of the running. As reported by ᴅᴇᴀᴅline, Villiéveue is reportedly looking for a “fresh face” to portray the character. This suggests that it’ll be an up-and-coming star who takes on the James Bond role.

This also seems to coincide with news regarding Steven Knight’s script for the film. While the film is still very much in pre-production and won’t begin filming until after Villiéveue finishes up Dune: Part Three, ᴅᴇᴀᴅline revealed that the next film in the series is set to potentially explore Bond’s time as a Royal Navy Commander before he joined MI6.

Coupled with the search for a younger actor to become a “fresh face” for the franchise, it seems the next James Bond movie will reset the character and his world. On some levels, that makes sense. This gives MGM Amazon a clean slate, capable of reshaping it for new directions or reimaging classic elements for the present day.

It also lets No Time to Die stand on its own as a concrete ending for that iteration of James Bond. However, this would also feel like well-trodden ground. James Bond’s first missions as a 007 were the crux of Casino Royale, and the Daniel Craig era explored much of Bond’s backstory and origins.

This risks making the story feel too familiar. More notably, focusing on a young version of James Bond who is in the process of leaving the Royal Navy and becoming an agent for MI6 is also the plot of a new entry in the James Bond library set to come out long before Villiéveue’s version hits the big screen.

The Next Bond Movie Could Be A Retread Of First Light

James Bond smirking while wearing sunglᴀsses in 007 First Light.

Developed and published by IO Interactive, 007: First Light is an original story set within the James Bond franchise. The game puts players into the role of a young James Bond, who has survived his tenure with the Royal Navy and has subsequently joined MI6 as an agent.

The game follows Bond on his first formal mission, the completion of which will cement his status as a 007 and earn him his license to kill. The game appears to be set in the modern day, making it a fresh reboot of the premise. The game even promises new takes on classic characters, including M, Moneypenny, and Q.

Because First Light is a video game, this return to familiar territory feels more expected. It’s a fresh continuity that’s designed to be appealing to gamers as well as Bond fans, justifying an entirely new take on the character. That might be a harder sell in the cinematic rendition of the franchise, especially after Casino Royale did something similar.

The release of First Light only puts more emphasis on how Bond’s origins have become a consistent focus point in 21st-century versions of the character. Having the first Bond movie of the new era follow the direction of a video game might result in harsh comparisons to other versions of the character who did a similar arc.

If the next James Bond movie is also approaching the same kind of origin story that First Light is setting up, then hopefully it comes with some unique edges that help differentiate it from the video game or other “Bond origin stories” like Casino Royale or the Young Bond series of novels. Otherwise, the movie might feel inherently repeтιтive.

Setting the plot in a different time period could help, especially if it were the 1960s — infusing Amazon MGM’s new direction for the character with the roots of the franchise. Alternatively, a greater emphasis on diversity in casting or focusing on the nature of Bond’s recruitment instead of his “first mission” could help the new entry feel unique.

James Bond has always had a certain style of narrative, regardless of which actor is currently embodying the character. It’s important, though that each version has enough unique touches to stand out. If Denis Villiéveue and Steven Knight’s version of James Bond is revisiting his origins, it needs to avoid just repeating what First Light already seems to be doing.