Source: Pixabay
James Bond is one of the most iconic movie characters ever, and many directors have put their spin on the British spy. With Daniel Craig officially retiring from the role following the 2021 release of No Time To Die, people are wondering who will be the next James Bond. Some people are also wondering how the franchise can be reinvented to attract modern audiences since Millennials and Generation Z are ultimately the demographics deciding what films become blockbuster hits.
We saw this idea that older generations tend to gravitate toward the James Bond franchise more than younger generations in a recent interview with Netflix’s Stranger Things star Sadie Sink who said she has never seen a single James Bond film. Sink is considered a rising Hollywood star. In this article, we will explore a few ways Hollywood can reinvent the James Bond franchise to fit the modern world and attract younger and more influential audiences.
Diversify The Cast
Over the years, the James Bond franchise has done a good job adding more diversity to its cast list. Trina Parks was the first Black woman to appear in the James Bond franchise in 1971’s Diamonds Are Forever; in the decades since, Gloria Hendry, Naomie Harris, Halle Berry, and Lashana Lynch have all joined the list of Black women in Bond movies.
The fact remains that the role of James Bond has never been given to a person of colour. But, times have changed, and with Ncuti Gatwa recently cast as the first Black actor to portray the role of Doctor Who, the next era of the James Bond franchise should make similar changes. At the moment, Idris Elba, Regé-Jean Page, and Henry Golding are all contenders for the role of James Bond.
Go Back To The Roots
Between Skyfall and No Time To Die, the James Bond franchise has seen a lot of action. By action, we mean car chases and fight scenes on top of moving trains. Yet, despite the excitement of these scenes, Casino Royale is still one of the most popular James Bond films ever, and a large part of that has to do with the story’s main setting: the casino.
Gambling is a big part of James Bond’s personality, and his favourite games are baccarat, blackjack, and roulette. There is even a roulette betting system named after Bond, and even though Ian Fleming didn’t come up with it himself, players around the world use it to this day. Going back to the character’s roots would be an interesting move in the reinvention of the James Bond franchise. We recently saw Matt Reeves’ The Batman take viewers back to the original comic books, where Batman’s detective skills are heavily emphasised. This character trait was never truly explored in previous Batman films until Reeves’ adaptation.
Humanise The Protagonist
Another way to attract younger generations is to humanise the character of James Bond and show more of his personal life. It’s hard to relate to a highly trained, secretive spy, but as in the last movie, we began to see Bond’s thoughts and feelings more. This is especially the case in the opening scene when he visits Vesper’s grave. It’s relatable moments like this that keep franchises around for long periods and attract generations who favour self-expression.
Forward Thinking
There are dozens of other potential ways Hollywood producers can reinvent the James Bond franchise to attract younger audiences and to ensure this iconic character remains in the mainstream. For instance, continuing what No Time To Die (2021) started last year, turning all future James Bond movies into 3D experiences, is one way, considering immersive and active entertainment has become the norm.
Two definite things that could help modernise the franchise would be to continue to diversify the cast and go back to the character’s roots while still adding themes and concepts from popular culture.