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Arriving this weekend is 007 Day, in case you missed it – the fifth of October is recognized as a worldwide observance dedicated to the world of 007, due to this being the date of the world premiere of Dr No, starring Sean Connery, in the year 1962. Think of it comparable to Star Wars Day, minus the creature costumes and much more elegant confidence.

A Muted Observance Now

This year however, the arrival of James Bond Day feels rather anticlimactic. It's only been after the acclaimed director was announced to direct the upcoming 007 movie earlier this year, and not long afterwards that writer Steven Knight was enlisted to pen the screenplay. Yet there has been almost no indication since then regarding the next Bond actually being revealed, with minimal clarity concerning the path this long-running series is going next. The only information are whisperings on the wind through film industry sources implying that the film-makers will be looking for a fairly young British actor, who might be a person of colour yet will not be a woman, an established star, or a person remotely familiar.

Letdown for Betting Agencies

Naturally, this is unwelcome developments for the numerous gambling platforms who have been making a pretty penny for months now out of trying to convince punters that the competition is between a shortlist of actors plus the charismatic star from Saltburn who is actually Australian.

A Return to Unfamiliar Faces

Intriguingly, the last time the 007 series opted for a complete unknown was in 1969, as George Lazenby briefly took up the iconic pistol. Before that, Connery himself had little recognition: he had taken a few minor film roles plus occasional theater and modeling jobs as well as working as a bodybuilder and milkman in Edinburgh prior to accepting the starring part in the first film. The film's producers deliberately avoided a household name; they wanted an unfamiliar performer whom audiences would believe as Bond himself, rather than as a star in the role.

Trying this approach once more may end up as a clever decision, similar to how it worked during the franchise's infancy.

Impact of Villeneuve

However, bringing in Villeneuve involved means that there is no get-out clause whatsoever in case the future agent turns out to be wooden. Increasing the exploding pens and innuendo is off the table with a director like is an artistic director known for genre films best known for ponderous sci-fi epics where the dominant feature is the audience’s own existential dread.

A tough guy in formalwear … Daniel Craig in 2006’s Casino Royale.

Fresh Approach for 007

However, to a large extent, bringing in Villeneuve reveals a great deal that are essential concerning the fresh post-Craig phase. There are not going to be vehicles that disappear or double entendres, and we probably won’t be getting the comic sheriff back any time soon. These changes are, undoubtedly, absolutely fine if you like your 007 updated for today. Yet it fails to indicate this new version of the elegant government hitman will distinguish itself from the 007s that came before him notably if the next chapter opts not to place the plot back to Ian Fleming’s original 50s and 60s setting.

Redefining All Chapters

Craig was instantly distinctive as a different type of elegant secret agent as he appeared in the role in the 2006 film, an aggressive figure in black tie who would never be seen in a stealth vehicle, or exchanging suggestive lines alongside Denise Richards during bomb disposal. He rendered Pierce Brosnan’s gadget-addled smoothie that just a short time before was viewed by many the top 007 after Connery, look like an imitation Connery overheated and ruined. This is not unprecedented. After Connery came Lazenby, Brosnan came after the overlooked Dalton, and the silly final Moore films succeeded the gritty initial Moore. Every era of 007 redefines the last one, yet they are all in their own way the iconic spy, worthy of celebration. It's somewhat strange, while we mark the current 007 Day, that we are asked to toast one who doesn’t even exist yet.