Will 'Bond 25' save the franchise from becoming irrelevant in 2020?

Can the 25th James Bond film give Craig the all time high he deserves, and save the franchise from losing Bond's licence to kill forever?

Daniel Craig in 'Spectre' (Sony, MGM and EON)

by Jack Linsdell

A few weeks ago, EON Productions revealed that production for 'Bond 25' (the working title for the franchise's next instalment) was back on track under the control of new director Cary Fukunaga and with a new release date of 14th February 2020. Bond veteran scribes Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, who have written on every flick since 1999's 'The World is Not Enough', have been re-hired to re-work their previous treatment for the film into a feature-length shooting script. The news comes as production was initially postponed due to the departure of previous director Danny Boyle, and with it the screenplay he had independently co-written with his 'Trainspotting' scribe John Hodge.

Indeed, with every piece of Bond news, fans and the media all have something to say on the matter - however, I believe (as one of the biggest Bond fans you'll meet - honestly) that this turn of events is a positive thing for a franchise that has recently found itself on the backfoot in a genre now producing quality action-thrillers. With the success of 'Mission: Impossible Fallout', and smaller-budget franchises like The Equalizer and Sicario this year, and with the popularity given to the #metoo movement, 2018 has made James Bond an irrelevant character in our current cultural climate. Added to this the tremendous critical failure of its most recent entry, 2015's 'Spectre', fan trust in the series is at a low not seen since Pierce Brosnan's equally dismal 'Die Another Day' in 2002. Indeed, 'Bond 25' has the responsibility of giving Craig his all time high finale that he deserves, whilst proving the franchise has a future in the genre and society as a whole. No pressure then, Mr Fukanaga.

Sam Mendes' 'Spectre' has spoilt Craig's chance at becoming the third Bond actor to have a slate of only 'good-to-excellent' movies, with George Lazenby and Timothy Dalton being the only ones to achieve such a thing. No matter how much you adore the others (arguably the most iconic actors), everyone will agree that Connery, Moore and Brosnan all had one abysmal outing as the British spy - or do you believe 'Diamond's Are Forever', 'A View to a Kill' and 'Die Another Day' are the best quality Bond entertainment? And the fact that Craig will now join them is a shame, since his first three films (yes, I think 'Quantum of Solace' is one the franchise best - but its critical consensus has dramatically increased a decade later though) gave him such a promising start. So it is with pleasure that he can have another chance to end his reign as Britain's most iconic film character on an all time high.

Although Danny Boyle is an extremely talented filmmaker, whose films have achieved immense critical success, I was always sceptical if his skills with low-budget, hyper-realist films could be transferred to a big-budget action spectacle. Yes, arguably Sam Mendes hadn't had prior experience of action, although he had a handled thriller narratives in 'The Road to Perdition' and other such theatre performances. On the other hand, Cary Fukanaga, has a range of dark dramas, popular horrors and political thrillers to his impressive filmography, making his suitability and skill set to a Bond film much greater than, arguably, Boyle. I think the franchise needs a new 'look' after the last two being done by Mendes (who wasn't as successful as John Glenn in returning to the series successfully) and I think he could give Craig a more realistic, grittier and suspenseful final outing in-line with the tone and style of his first two entries.

In terms of the screenplay, I think that Purvis and Wade, are a safe bet. Yes, they've helped write some of the low points of the series like 'Die Another Day' and 'Spectre', but they've also co-written 'Casino Royale' and 'Skyfall'. Therefore, they know the secrets of crafting a Bond narrative better than anyone and should give 'Bond 25' the continuity I think it needs (reoccurring characters etc.) - just because 'Spectre' was poorly-received, doesn't mean producers can ignore it like they did with 'Quantum'). I'll be happy with if they produce, at the very least, a decent screenplay which keeps continuity with Craig's other films, is coherent and doesn't have any obvious problems or plot holes (unlike 'Skyfall') and gives Craig some emotional-depth to his character, some material which he can actually act from like his earlier entries.

Although Boyle's 'Bond 25' would have been radical and unique, something which the franchise is in desperate need of, it would've felt out of place for sure with Craig's tenure. What we needed was someone to come in and give us "more of the same, but with a different edge" and allow Craig at least a decent final outing. The whole new approach to Bond could work well when/if the franchise reboots with Bond 26 and a new actor - this would be the time to bring in an auteur (Nolan?) to make Bond an genre leader again. However, for now, 'Bond 25' seems in safe hands. However, the pressure of its success is not only rooted in giving Craig that quality finale but also in making sure the franchise seems relevant in today's society and that it lives to die another day. If it doesn't, maybe its time for Bond to hang his Walther up. As ever, we'll find out on February 14th 2020.