I was wrong about Bond 26.

[@belloq81]

The whole thing's a bit of a bummer to me! I think a more substantial break between actors wouldn't bother me as much as it does if we hadn't just come off another six-year gap. And any time somebody from EON has given any updates (such as they've been), they sound vaguely disinterested, which rubs me the wrong way; I know we're not "owed" anything as a fanbase, but can't they at least pretend to be enthusiastic about what's coming?

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

I do wish they projected more enthusiasm.

[@DeanJonasson]

Although Bond is dead, it's an interesting time to be a fan. Lots of reflection about what the franchise means, where the character has come from and where it might go from his screen demise. The full impact of EON's decision to kill the character, freeing Daniel Craig, is still being felt. The creative door is open but it also suggests an existential question about 007 in the 21st Century. Connery's Bond reflected the transition of the social order from post-war edge to the hedonism of the 'Sixties. In the 'Seventies, much social upheaval was taking place to which Moore's Bond reacted (and laugh at). Dalton projected a serious take on the character as the geopolitical world appeared with many shades of grey. Brosnan represented a more escapist Bond, flashy but superficial, as the gap between fantasy and reality widened. Anxiety and uncertainty around the new century was certainly reflected in Craig's conflicted, often isolated take on the super spy. Having fought to the brink to earn his 007 designation, he spent the next four films quitting or going rogue. Although we got several glimpses of what 'retirement' could look like, in the end there was only one way out for anti-Bond. So now (hopefully) we can begin anew. Perhaps it's time to again look seriously at the kind of world we live in, what collective values we share and what we need to push us forward. In an age when super heroes are no longer relevant, James Bond might be the character with the lineage and potential to tackle these challenges. On the other hand, perhaps this is too much weight to put on a fictional character and film franchise. Can we simply go back to a time when James Bond movies were just fun? As usual, I thank you for sharing your considerable insight.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

I would love for the Bond films to be more focused on entertainment (even if it's dark entertainment, ala the recent David Fincher film, THE KILLER).

[@paulcurtis1351]

​@@AnalyzeThisMisterBondthat's an interesting shift up perspective so now when we say Bond films we don't mean James Bond films we mean Bond genre films.

[@makeshift_python]

I’m pretty much with you on how I feel about waiting longer. “Content” is the word I’d use to describe how I feel. I’d like a new Bond sooner, but I’m not feeling deflated over the wait like so much of fandom seems to be, if social media is any indication. I only just hope the wait is worth it. If this is what it takes to make a banger of a Bond debut, take your time!

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

Yeah, if we're gonna wait, it had better be good.

[@chadhetzel]

I truly hate saying this, but the longer this goes on, along with the, seemingly, disinterest of the producers, is leaving me feeling quite jaded and angry. It's beyond ridiculous and shameful to make excuses for Barbara and Michael any longer. Bond fans deserve much better than this. So does Cubby, RIP

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

I don't take anything with the direction of the series personally. Even if they just decided to throw in the towel, I'd be bummed out, but, happily, the movies I've built memories with aren't going anywhere.

[@chumpey]

Interesting video. I think what's also holding this up, is the same thing that is holding a lot of commissioning up; the sharp rise in the cost of borrowing. That coupled with ever-dwindling box office returns is giving a lot of studios/broadcasters cold feet.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

Potentially! But Amazon has continued to sink a lot of money into other projects, so it's hard to say how/if the situation at Amazon is different than, say, at Warner Bros. or Paramount.

[@FranzSanchez-ky9up]

If they can't put together a 4K box set, you can't expect them to put a new movie together.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

I try not to think about the fact that we don't have a 4k box set yet.

[@tomsaveryscotlandicproduct8505]

I'm fed up of it. I hated the ending of no time to die and this waiting makes it worse

[@Beingjamesbond]

You’re not kidding brother! Been saying for ages, just settle in and temper expectations for a while.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

It's gonna be a long winter. Bundle up and sit close to the fire.

[@m.d.kenyon]

I too thought the financial imperative would push this on…and I agree they probably are looking to be quite director led…and the usual suspects all seem to be getting busy…it does look like a Dalton-Brosnan style gap so we have to make our own fun with the films, novels and games we have for a while longer. Always enjoy your thoughtful perspective!

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

Usually, you can rely on the hunger for profits to drive projects like this to the finish line. It feels as though we need to prepare for a long wait. At the very least, I'm not anticipating any news in the near future.

[@FromGregaWithLove]

I feel the opposite. The last update Barbara Broccoli gave a couple months ago was that they haven’t seven started moving on Bond 26. I’m sorry, but not starting on the next movie more than two years after NTTD is just ridiculous.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

I definitely agree that EON has had more than enough time to reset and relax, but I can't take it personally. I might want it to get moving, but nobody (EON or otherwise) actually owes me a new Bond movie. The great Bond movies that I love also aren't going anywhere.

[@paulcurtis1351]

Well none of us can predict the future so you shouldn't feel bad about getting that wrong but in one way you are completely CORRECT from a marketing plan financial concept we should have known by April as it is the start of the UK financial year well I think it's best to have too few films Bond films than too many Bond films it knows the value of the Franchise high in my opinion for example look at Star Wars and what Disney has done to devalue it in some ways due to the numerous Star War films released to try and recoup their investment

[@frankb821]

Very sad, all around. I can't believe they're not motivated by financial considerations, especially now. Thank you for keeping us updated, brother

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

I thought the greed of the film industry was the one motivating factor we all could count on! But I suppose not!

[@bobbymauro3721]

If the Broccoli’s were serious about a strong continuity for this IP they’d give the reigns to Christopher Nolan! He’s always stated that he’d love to do his infamous Bond trilogy (which is already outlined btw)!

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

I do think chats between EON and Nolan happened.

[@lowbellstudio]

I was worried this video was to recant your excellent ideas for the direction of Bond 26! I maintain that there's no reason to panic until the 60th anniversary of Goldfinger. If that date comes and goes with no director announcement (at the least), we know EON really is lost.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

Fingers crossed.

[@horrorfanandy4647]

Well… erm… about that Goldfinger anniversary…

[@lowbellstudio]

@@horrorfanandy4647 still have a few weeks until the anniversary of the U.S. release! (but I'm not holding my breath).

[@angusmcmillan111]

I have a lot of trust in E.on. The number of films that have been real clunkers across 25 films has been minimal - in my opinion there has been two (and I enjoy aspects of even those ones). That said I worry about the Casino Royale effect - the need for each new Bond film now needing to break completely new dramatic ground. I think they are between a rock and a hard place creatively - I don't think they can bring themselves to just make a solid action adventure movie any more, but where do you go next dramatically when you've recently made an origin story, stories reflecting on James childhood, then the character having a child and dieing? I think they do need to be careful about the gaps between films - many of the fans of the original Bond mania in the 60s are sadly no longer with us. I don't believe as it stands Bond resonates as well with younger audiences, and there is a generation of young cinema goers who have had just two new Bond films to take in over a period of more than a decade. In my opinion The Living Daylights was a great Bond film with a new Bond and came about in a 2 year period where they just had to make decisions and get on with it, utilising an excellent yet not celebrated director. I think Casino Royale and Skyfall did well because they were great movies - not because they took an age to develop, film and release. I don't want to be downbeat about E.on, but I do think the future of the franchise is at risk if they don't get on with it and just deliver an entertaining crowd pleaser.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

I agree with most of that!

[@Aaliyahchannel2024]

Bond 26 is now the new GTA 6.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

That made me laugh out loud.

[@Montagne1234]

We got gta 6 before bond 26

[@DanAtari2600]

Hopefully it doesn't become the new Skyrim. :-/

[@PatrickOCnMD]

I would like to see Martin Campbell back at the Helm. His GoldenEye and Casino Royale were two of the Best.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

I think most fans would be pleased if he came back!

[@yestoadventure007]

It's great that you're having that Zen perspective on the next film... I'm not and I am a practicing Buddhist. 😄 I have to admit I am a bit disappointed. Is EON being a bit precious about this? Are they thinking that they have to absolutely come up with something unique and original? How much reinvention do they think they need? We're talking about Bond not Beckett. Just come up with a good caper, add the ingredients and get on with it. Bond fans want to be entertained, not transformed. In this sense the Mission Impossible franchise succeeds much better. They understand that all they have to do is come up with a compelling story, a few key set piece stunts and some exciting action sequences and there audience is satisfied. I recently rewatched the 2nd trilogy of MI films on the plane from Taiwan and I really fell in love with how great but how easy it was to watch these films and how much I loved spending time with the characters, It was effortless because it was a simple formula. EON did this in the past but I fear after the Craig era (which I love), that they have been affected with their own sense of self importance... I don't even think Ian Fleming felt that. He just wanted to tell a few ripping spy stories and be done with it.

[@danielbaldwin4599]

I can understand why they might be being precious. Whatever this next run of films ends up being, it will be the final one that they get to make before they have to contend with competition again. Fleming's Bond books fall into public domain after 2034, after all. Come 2035, others can begin to freely adapt his novels into new films and shows outside of EON's influence. So even if EON keeps at it after that point, this will still be their final round as the "definitive" onscreen take on James Bond. That and having to follow on from the extremely popular Craig era are additional weights upon their shoulders. Ones that likely are fueling their hesitance to just rush into doing Bond 26.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

It's hard to know exactly what EON's headspace is right now. They play things close to the vest. I do think they should probably follow the KISS principle: Keep It Simple, Stupid.

[@TheBondReport]

All of the reinvention, they need it all Alex. They won’t stop until they’ve sucked all of the reinvention out of Amazon! And only then will we hear about a Director 🐙🐙🐙

[@jeromewagschal9485]

That's interesting...I had no idea Ian Fleming's novels would go back to the Public Domain by 2034... I always thought it would be cool to have remakes of the 1960's movies at some point... Maybe someone should do it...​@@danielbaldwin4599

[@JayTemple]

The two longest gaps between Bond films gave us "Goldeneye" and "Casino Royale", both worth the wait. I'm confident that this gap will be worth it too.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

Let's hope so!

[@danielscott8180]

It's a weird time to a Bond fan and its a good time. My prediction is EON will continue to get more creative with the character. For some fans, that might be bad. But Barbara seems to really want to deliver surprising stories. I'd doubt that they will walk back changes made during Craig's era to a more traditional and lightweight Bond film that slavishly follows the formula. More big name and interesting directors will get their chance to deliver something fresh, exciting, and original.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

I agree!

[@FromWilloWithLove]

In regards to the future of this franchise I’ve learnt to adopt an ‘Out of sight, out of mind’ mentality. I’ve got books, comics and more to consume & 25 films to look back on.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

That's a healthy approach.

[@TheBondReport]

Spot on, we’re all twiddling our thumbs.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

Sigh.

[@masudashizue777]

Since they killed Bond off, we we cannot complain even if they never make another film. I say drive it out of our minds and the BBQ will be ready when it is ready.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

I just hope the BBQ is good when it gets here

[@davidnorris3131]

Quantum quote: Bond: ' I was wondering why you came with me? Mathis : 'It takes something to admit you were wrong'

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

😅

[@mischaaravena150]

The thing is, No Time To Die orignally was supposed to come out in April of 2020. Its been over 4 years and no development? That film has been done for a while. Either there has been little work put in, they dont know how to move forward or they have done a lot and just kept it all close to the vest.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

To be fair, the promotional cycle of a movie is a circus unto itself. I think it's fair to say EON was probably busy up through the bulk of 2021 (managing all the schedule shifts and ad deals, etc.).

[@horrorfanandy4647]

Actual production finished in 2019. It’s nuts. My conclusion is that they’re taking an _extended_ hiatus. Now that would be fine, I just wish they would tell us :(

[@LucasBenderChannel]

As much as the fan community hates it, the James Bond series can comfortably take a long break between movies and not fear diminishing returns because of it. That makes it pretty unique among all the other major franchises. Hollywood usually has to put in a lot of effort to keep up a continuous buzz among movie goers. But with Bond, I don't worry about this dire drought of news that we're in right now. On the contrary, I kind of appreciate it IF it means, that they're really waiting and scouting for the best way forward... As for the question who's going to direct: You only mentioned a list of much-discussed A-list directors. I don't know if that's who they're trying to approach. As far as I remember, Sam Mendes wasn't anyone's top pick before Skyfall, was he? What about Marc Forster? Yes, the franchise has leaned more and more into celebrity talent. I mean we got Hans Zimmer creating the score last time around! You can't get any bigger. But the choice of directors and writers for these big budget blockbusters can often be surprisingly humble. "Really? The guy that only has a few credits on their IMDb page and a couple of TV episodes is directing the new Marvel thing? Alright then..."

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

I don't think they'll necessarily go A-tier, though they did have convos and/or official engagement over the years with Mendes, Nolan, Boyle, Wright, Villeneuve, and I think this "A-tier" is now their default preference. (They tried to jump from Boyle to Villeneuve for NTTD, but he turned them down to stick with DUNE. They kinda "settled" for Fukunaga.) Now, they have certainly have liked to work with more mid-tier directors with established dramatic credentials (Apted, Michell, Forster, Morgan, Fukunaga). There are obviously folks in that latter category to choose from, but they'll need someone they have a lot of confidence in to launch a new Bond era.

[@Visqo1]

I understand the feeling man..

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

:::hello darkness, my old friend:::

[@Kevin-wr9um]

Eon only has one property and that's Bond. And when they decide to go into production, they can get to the screen in about a year, getting all the special units (alpine, aviation, driving, etc) up and running. First unit work doesn't take that long on Bond.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

Yeah, that's been their usual cycle.

[@anthonygray333]

Could have fixed this in an afternoon. Hire Nolan to direct, Cavill as Bond and Robbie as the Bond Girl. To top it off, make Timothy Dalton the bad guy!

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

Nolan would want total control over casting, no doubt, so I'm not sure fan favorites like those would've won the day.

[@anthonygray333]

@@AnalyzeThisMisterBond Perhaps. But Nolan seems to have a pretty good grasp on the end result so I think he would be forgiven. For sure no slide whistle, double glancing pigeons or flying carpets.

[@Brian67588]

Could they set the world with a prequel centered around an 'SAS dev-team' type of Q character with Moneypenny, Tanner and a few of the other double Os. Build the stakes with the villain setting up the master plan at the end. Then bring in the new 007 in the next movie to an already established team. The now disabled Q could also be the QRF when Bond finds himself in an unwinnable position.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

That would be a very radical idea!

[@mohammedashian8094]

I think the best way to make em, if they had a mix of serious spy thriller and fun but grounded action.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

A tricky needle to thread!

[@anon9753]

A way they could undo the damage caused by the ending of NTTD is to use the opening from Fleming’s novel “The Man with the Golden Gun” which followed “You Only Live Twice” (which NTTD took its cues from). Bond, presumed dead, has been brainwashed and begins the story trying to assassinate M. Its the best part of that story and would offset the bad taste of the previous film.

[@jeromewagschal9485]

That's a very good idea...But would they keep the same actor to play M ? And how old would Bond have to be at this point ? If we follow the logical evolution of the story Bond would have to be in his late 50's... Or he could have undegone plastic surgery that makes him look completely different and younger... And then what about his daughter and potential wife ? It's an interesting idea though...

[@Kevin-wr9um]

Dennis Dugan directs James Bond! Or maybe Uwe Boll.

[@michaelparks5669]

I wasa a big bond fan. When Craig took over they lost me.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

Personally, I really like Craig (and most of his movies).

[@michaelparks5669]

@@AnalyzeThisMisterBond ok

[@LeonWick526]

Something we have to understand is that NTTD failed to make a profit at the box office. That would explain the lack of enthusiasm along with that Craig is gone and he is Barbara's favorite Bond actor. When the producers discovered why many fans didn't see NTTD they probably decided to break the promise "James Bond Will Return." I could be wrong but we'll see.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

I'm not anywhere near as cynical as that!

[@LeonWick526]

@@AnalyzeThisMisterBond I'm not being cynical. I'm being realistic by forming a conclusion based on the facts.

[@215Gallagher]

As a former Bond fan (I grew up) I felt Daniel Craig was too sullen and humourless to be the "charming" jet setting international psychopath with a license to kill that Bond is supposed to be. Let the franchise die rather than descend into nonsense like Doctor Who, Star Trek and the 1001 remakes and reboots of classic films and series. Bond died with Daniel Craig, let him rest in peace in the fiery pits of Hell where he would undoubtedly end up.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

I think the old boy has more gas in the tank.

[@masercot]

Sean Connery - Moron Bond George Lazenby - Forgettable Bond Roger Moore - Drunk Uncle Bond Timothy Dalton - Serious Bond Pierce Brosnan - Stuffy Bond Daniel Craig - Cranky Grandpa Bond

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

That's an interesting schema

[@masercot]

@@AnalyzeThisMisterBond And, I see Roger Moore's Bond as kind of a drunken fantasy that he's recounting to a nephew. So... For Your Eyes Only never actually happened. The clues are there, you just have to see them.

[@kondorr]

I think Cavil/Nolan is somehow undesired by the powers, so they wait, till it leaves the public mind.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

Maybe so!

[@dstarr976]

2027?!? * urk * - * dies *

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

Seems likely!

[@danielscott8180]

EON will be fine when Fleming's novels enter public domain. The best any studio can do is make a fairly faithful adaptation of Fleming's novels, only. They also won't get any backing from the Ian Fleming Foundation who are firmly in support of EON. Will people take to a 1950s Bond film? One for sure. Two and beyond? Doubt it. The novelty would have worn off.

[@richardweddle3408]

Ryan, you have to accept that James Bond is dead. He's not coming back in any way shape or form that will be recognizable. Not while that woman is in charge. Daniel Craig broke the spirit of James Bond forever when he fell to his knees in supplication and begged the villain for mercy. Remember Craig is the only actor to play Bond who INSISTED on an unequivocal, irreversible death scene as a condition of signing on again. His idea. He did that. So they made Bond's enemy his brother, reassigned his 007 status to a female agent who insults him and threatens him, poisoned his blood with a nano-virus, shot him to pieces, made him beg for mercy, prolonged his death as long as they could, and then blew him up. Plus an upfront salary of $25 million plus percentages. All this to please Daniel Craig. He is the only actor to willfully kill off James Bond, breaking the spirit of the thing, showing contempt for the fans and terminating the franchise. Before that he undermined the character and dismantled the concept in four films. Are you so easily seduced by style that you can't perceive substance? Are you so easily seduced by the action that you can't see what he's done? How can some of you admire Craig for that? What do you see in his neurotic, psychotic personality that is admirable? or enjoyable?

[@jeromewagschal9485]

I used to like his portrayal of Bond because it was different and fresh... And I totally understood that times were different and that a darker Bond was what was needed back then... But I never thought he would have the nerve to take things this far... At the end of Spectre I was a bit sad because it looked like he was done with the character but all things considered it would have been the perfect way to end his tenure as 007... I got my wish when NTTD came out 6 years later only to be completely devastated by the end of this "movie"... On top of that I was going through a family tragedy back then and watching the new Bond would have at least alleviated my pain and sorrow for a few hours... Thanks to him I left the movie theater feeling even worse... I don't know how they will undo the damage they allowed him to do... I'm pretty sure Cubby Broccoli wouldn't have gone along with that... If there has to be one character in the entire universe of movies you don't kill it's James Bond... Hell, even Rambo or Indiana Jones didn't die in their final movies...

[@KimBailey-w2g]

@@jeromewagschal9485 and I’m sorry for your loss. I really am my heart goes out to you and your family and you’re so very right and there needs to be an apology sent out by eon productions that they made a mistake and they are trying to fix it, but there’s absolutely nothing out of that franchise, except what nothing but as I say, I completely agree with you and I feel sorry for your loss and I hope you will get better in time

[@Paul_Whaley]

It's a bummer for the delay, but at the same time, it's given me plenty of opportunities to go back and enjoy some my lesser watched films. An aside, I moved over the last two weeks, so I've not been keeping up with YT. Looking forward to starting the Dr. No video right now!

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

Cheers, Paul. It's been a good time to just enjoy the series as it stands.

[@moniqrupley6019]

Amazons MGM aquisition was really about acquiring thier back catalog. Thats the cash cow. New content not so much.

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

Why not both (at least as far Bond is concerned)?

[@vonkunstler884]

Keep Chris Nolan the f away from Bond

[@alexdas2000]

Probably 2027 with today’s announcement now

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

@@alexdas2000 Yeah, 2027 at the earliest

[@jaysterling26]

Edgar write-off? Definitely not a kick a%£! director. ..then again, not C(ing) Nolan(gern) movie from him again, thank you ( a linguistically clunky dismissal? I think so).

[@2007zera]

Bond died in the last film end of I think

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

But the last film also promised that he'd return

[@Chris-qw5gb]

BOND 26 releases in.... 2026? 🤔

[@AnalyzeThisMisterBond]

I think it's probably 2027 at this point.

[@Chris-qw5gb]

@@AnalyzeThisMisterBond 😩 It was a nice theory 😁