🔗 Share this article Ways to Celebrate James Bond Day When the Next 007 Is a Secret? It's Bond Day, for those who didn't know – October 5th is recognized as a worldwide festivity honoring the world of 007, due to it marking the anniversary of the world premiere of the first Bond film, with Sean Connery, back in 1962. Think of it similar to the Star Wars celebration, with fewer Wookiees and Ewoks and much more tuxedoed swagger. A Muted Celebration Currently This year however, the coming of the 007 celebration seems somewhat underwhelming. It's only been since the filmmaker was revealed to direct the future installment earlier this year, and shortly after that writer Steven Knight was brought on board to pen the screenplay. However, we've seen scant evidence since then of the new 007 being officially announced, with minimal clarity about the direction this long-running series is going next. What remains is industry speculation via the Hollywood trades indicating that the producers are seeking a fairly young British actor, possibly non-white but is not going to be a woman, an established star, or somebody remotely familiar. Bad News for Betting Agencies Naturally, this is unwelcome developments for the many online bookmakers that have making a pretty penny for months now out of trying to convince punters that it is a race among a shortlist of actors along with the attractive actor featured in Saltburn who is actually Australian. Going Back to Newcomers Intriguingly, the last time the film series actually went for a total unknown occurred in 1969, as George Lazenby briefly took up the iconic pistol. Prior to that, Sean Connery had little recognition: he had had a few minor film roles and done a bit of acting and modeling gigs in addition to working in fitness and milk delivery in his hometown before landing the starring part in the debut movie. Producers Cubby Broccoli and Harry Saltzman deliberately avoided a well-known actor; they wanted someone fresh who the public would accept as the real 007, rather than as a star in the role. Employing this strategy again could turn out to be a brilliant tactic, similar to how it worked during the franchise's infancy. The Villeneuve Factor But getting Villeneuve on board suggests that there is no get-out clause whatsoever if this new Bond proves to be wooden. Amplifying the over-the-top gadgets and double entendres is no longer an option under the guidance of is a solemn auteur of genre film-making most famous for dense futuristic stories where the loudest sound is deep philosophical tension. A bruiser in a dinner jacket … Craig's debut in Casino Royale. Updated Vision for James Bond However, in numerous aspects, hiring Villeneuve provides clear signals that are essential regarding the upcoming post-Craig phase. We won't see vehicles that disappear or double entendres, and the return of the southern lawman back any time soon. This entire situation is, undoubtedly, quite alright for those who prefer your 007 updated for today. Yet it fails to indicate this new version of the elegant government hitman will be unique compared to previous Bonds who immediately preceded him notably if the new era opts not to set the narrative back to Ian Fleming’s original 50s and 60s setting. Reinventing Every Period Craig was instantly distinctive as a new kind of dapper super-spy as he appeared on the scene in 2006’s Casino Royale, a bruiser in a dinner jacket who would never be caught dead with ridiculous gadgets, or trading sex puns alongside Denise Richards while handling explosives. He made Pierce Brosnan’s gadget-addled smoothie who only a few years previously was viewed by many the top 007 after Connery, seem like a copycat version overheated and ruined. This pattern is familiar. After Connery came Lazenby, Then Brosnan took over from the overlooked Dalton, and the campy later Moore followed brilliantly dead-eyed and callous early Roger Moore. Every era of 007 reshapes the previous, but each one is in its unique manner the famous agent, deserving of a toast. It's somewhat strange, as we apparently celebrate the annual Bond celebration, that we are asked to toast one that is not yet chosen.