Bond 25 Updates

This week has been a good one in regard to the next production in the James Bond film franchise.  It was reported late yesterday that Bond 25, which is the current title for the film since an official title hasn't yet been announced, would be released into U.S. theaters on November 8, 2019, with British moviegoers getting the movie about a week earlier.  I've always wanted to see a Bond movie in Great Britain and my wife and I considered going for Spectre but it unfortunately didn't work out.  Maybe it will be Bond 25 that is the milestone film for me that I see for the first time on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.

Following the official announcement that Bond 25 would be released in late 2019, the New York Times is reporting that it is a done deal for Daniel Craig to return to the role for his fifth movie.  For a long time there have been rumors that Craig would return, but most of those were being reported by disreputable sources in tabloid magazines and newspapers.  Having a credible media outlet like the New York Times report Craig's return gives the long-standing rumors some validity.

Hopefully an official announcement is made soon and then we can start speculating on who the director will be, what the movie's title is, and whether they will continue the Blofeld/Spectre storyline.

A Brief Guide To The James Bond Actors

It has been more than 18 months since the release of Spectre and the speculation as to whether Daniel Craig will return to the role of James Bond has not stopped.  It seems every month about two or three new rumors emerge as to whether Craig will don the suit again or the producers have decided to move on to a new actor.  Although it's frustrating to not know one way or the other whether Craig will make a fifth 007 film (which I believe he will, and maybe even a possible sixth), I thought I would reflect on the six actors who have portrayed James Bond in the official series and what aspect of the character they brought to the silver screen.

First up is Sean Connery, who is the original Bond.  Connery was a tough spy, but also suave.  There is a story that 007 author Ian Fleming once said of Connery that he walked like a panther.

Second is George Lazenby, who is the one-film Bond.  Lazenby was a model who had never been in a movie, which the lack of experience shows a bit in the role.

Third is Roger Moore, who is the hammy Bond.  Moore didn't do his stunts, which is very obvious when you watch his movies, and he turned Bond into a silly film series.

Fourth is Timothy Dalton, who is the Shakespeare Bond.  Dalton attempted to bring the literary Bond character to the screen and make the man less of a superhero.  He was basically the Daniel Craig of the 1980s.

Fifth is Pierce Brosnan, who is the pretty-boy Bond.  Brosnan couldn't decide whether he wanted to be more of a Connery or more of a Moore.  He wanted to be serious, suave, and campy all at the same time.

Sixth is Daniel Craig, who is the gritty Bond.  Craig retconned the series in order to ground the movies and is the most physically fit of all the Bond actors.  He is basically the Daniel Craig of the 21st century.