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It's Bond Day, in case you missed it – 5 October now stands as a worldwide festivity honoring everything about 007, thanks to the fact it commemorates the date of the global debut of the inaugural 007 movie, featuring Sean Connery, in the year 1962. Think of it comparable to the Star Wars celebration, minus the creature costumes and a whole lot more tuxedoed swagger.

A Muted Celebration Currently

Yet this time around, the arrival of JBD feels rather underwhelming. It hasn't been following the filmmaker was confirmed as the director the upcoming 007 movie back in June, and not long afterwards that Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight was brought on board to write the script. But there’s been almost no indication from that point about the future agent being officially announced, and even less sense concerning the path this iconic film series is going next. All we have are unconfirmed reports through film industry sources suggesting that the creative team will be looking for a comparatively fresh-faced British actor, possibly non-white although not a woman, a franchise star, or somebody slightly known.

Bad News for Oddsmakers

Naturally, this is disappointing news for the numerous internet betting sites which have earning significant profits over recent months through efforts to suggest punters that the competition is involving several speculated candidates plus the charismatic star from Saltburn who is actually Australian.

Revisiting Newcomers

Interestingly, the most recent occasion the 007 series actually went for a complete unknown occurred in 1969, with George Lazenby temporarily assumed the iconic pistol. Prior to that, Sean Connery certainly wasn’t a star: he had taken several supporting roles and done a bit of theater and modeling jobs in addition to working in fitness and milk delivery in Edinburgh prior to accepting the lead role in the debut movie. The creative heads specifically didn’t want a household name; they wanted a new face whom audiences would believe as the real 007, as opposed to a performer portraying Bond.

Repeating this trick may end up as a clever decision, just as it was back in the sixties.

Impact of Villeneuve

But getting the director Denis Villeneuve suggests that there are no excuses in any way if this new Bond ends up as unconvincing. Increasing the ridiculous devices and innuendo is not feasible when your new director is a solemn auteur specializing in cinematic genres best known for dense futuristic stories where the dominant feature is deep philosophical tension.

An aggressive type in black tie … Craig's debut in Casino Royale.

Fresh Approach for 007

And yet, in numerous aspects, hiring Villeneuve provides clear signals that are essential about the new post-Craig phase. There are not going to be vehicles that disappear or suggestive jokes, and it's doubtful we'll see the comic sheriff in the near future. This entire situation is, undoubtedly, absolutely fine assuming you enjoy your James Bond updated for today. But it doesn’t tell us how Villeneuve’s take regarding the stylish official killer will stand out from the 007s who immediately preceded him particularly should the upcoming phase decides against to set the narrative back to Ian Fleming’s original 50s and 60s setting.

Transforming Each Era

Craig stood out at once as a different type of dapper super-spy when he arrived on the scene in the 2006 film, a tough character in formal attire who would avoid at all costs in a stealth vehicle, or using sexual wordplay with Denise Richards during bomb disposal. He made the previous Bond's polished style who only a few years previously was regarded by certain critics the top 007 after Connery, look like a copycat version overheated and ruined. Not that this is anything new. Lazenby succeeded Connery temporarily, Brosnan came after the underappreciated Dalton, and cheesy late-era Roger Moore followed brilliantly dead-eyed and callous early Roger Moore. Each Bond period alters the prior, however, every version remains in its unique manner James Bond 007, worthy of celebration. It feels odd, while we mark the current 007 Day, that the occasion calls to celebrate an agent that is not yet chosen.