It feels sacrilegious to think about the event of any James Bond movie with out ambassadors Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli on the helm, however as of at the moment, the future of James Bond has been placed solely within the oversight of Amazon MGM Studios. There are an entire variety of penalties that include this choice. It ensures that there shall be one other Bond movie down the road, prior to later in all probability, however on the identical time, it is going to be one whose artistic choices will possible be made primarily based on algorithmic developments as a substitute of being filtered by means of the pursuits and style of people that have shepherded these motion pictures for many years. What’s even worse is now that 007 is absolutely underneath Amazon’s management, meaning there is not any extra holdouts on the prospects of greenlighting spin-offs galore.
Amazon has technically examined the waters already with “007: Road to a Million,” a reality adventure competition series that mainly slaps the Bond pores and skin on prime of “The Wonderful Race.” It additionally featured Brian Cox as a villainous determine often called The Controller, who leads the contestants to a fantastic fortune. And Bond spin-offs go even additional again with the often-forgotten animated sequence “James Bond Jr.,” which aired for a single season in 1991.
Not like one thing like “Star Wars,” a franchise way too open-world to focus on the Skywalkers for the rest of its life, the thought of branching off from a personality that has solely been thrilling audiences on the massive display screen for over six many years in favor of extra streaming “content material” is fairly disheartening. However it does not matter what I believe. It is gonna occur anyway, so let’s brainstorm about what might come out of this historic altering of the guard.
I simply need to make it very clear that these are all horrible concepts that ought to by no means see the sunshine of day, but when I’ve realized something from this business, it is that studios will make absolutely anything if it means mining an current IP for all its value. So let’s get began.
Q Department
Tagline: Saving the world, many costly devices at a time.
Probably the least offensive route Amazon might take is exploring the inner-workings of Q Department, the analysis and growth company of the British Secret Service from which Bond will get all of his cool gadgetry. If the corporate goes to construct out the Bond universe, it might make sense for them to do a present revolving round an company we’re conversant in, with characters corresponding to M and the opposite brokers at MI6. However Q Department holds some attention-grabbing alternatives.
There are just a few approaches to a universe-extending present like this. You might keep comparatively easy and go the route of one thing like “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” or “Torchwood,” through which we see the inside lives of various gadget engineers residing their lives as they construct contraptions for Bond’s missions. With that stated, nevertheless, Q Department might take one other course into extra light-hearted territory in the vein of “Star Trek: Lower Decks,” going down throughout the world of 007 however with a humorous bent in the direction of the behind the scenes antics. Both means, it might be a reasonably unhappy sequence contemplating the entire exhausting work these engineers undergo would come again to them damaged past restore.
The Moneypenny Diaries
Tagline: Secretaries get it performed.
For about 50 years, Miss Moneypenny both sat behind a desk as M’s secretary or might be discovered all through MI6 headquarters. She trades some flirty romantic banter with Bond after which we do not actually see her once more till the subsequent 007 journey. However by the point we get to “Skyfall,” Naomie Harris’ interpretation in the Daniel Craig era isn’t solely offered with a primary title in Eve, however she’s proven to be a participant out within the discipline, actively serving to Bond on his missions. It is a character growth that continues into “Spectre” and “No Time to Die.”
Among the many many potential spin-offs, there’s some precedent to giving Moneypenny her personal present. Within the mid 2000s, writer Samantha Weinberg, underneath the pseudonym Kate Westbrook, wrote an formally licensed trilogy of books within the UK known as “The Moneypenny Diaries.” Inside its pages are tales that each fill within the gaps between different Bond adventures, in addition to the recollection of her personal. Certain, why not? You already know it is coming.
Felix Leiter: The Origin of Bond’s Finest Good friend
Tagline: See how an enduring bond started.
If Bond is ever in a pinch, there is a good probability he’ll procure some help from CIA operative and best bud, Felix Leiter. The American ally has been performed by plenty of actors like Jack Lord, David Hedison, and Jeffrey Wright (amongst many others), and on the identical time has met many fates, certainly one of which impressed one of many darkest Bond movies up to now in “License to Kill.”
Now to pose the query each 007 fan has been eager to ask for many years: Simply how did Felix come to affix the CIA? I am glad you requested. Bond and Felix make actual magic collectively, so we’re simply gonna begin by not doing that. The sequence will observe the emblems of most conventional American motion streaming applications and ignore the sequence’ inherent British taste.
I am pondering we construct up a tragic backstory through which he is almost devoured by sharks on trip. He’ll give it some thought lots. He’ll discover worth in his work and the crew he is surrounded by, however will finally really feel a lingering loneliness that solely a British undercover agent finest pal might occupy. Within the interim, Felix will turn into shut with a fellow agent with a lumbering construct who not solely betrays him just a few seasons in, however a merciless accident will ultimately transform him into the henchman known as Jaws.
There shall be moments right here and there all through Felix’s first few years the place he catches a glimpse of the brand new Bond in proximity to a case he is engaged on, till they ultimately spend an episode or two collectively within the remaining season.
007 Probabilities to be a Bond Woman
Tagline: Do you’ve what it takes to seduce 007?
Bond already has one actuality present underneath his belt with “One in a Million,” so what is the hurt of including one other one to the roster? Among the many many staples throughout the 007 franchise, one of the crucial memorable roles you would have is that of a Bond lady. Whether or not a one-off shag, partner-in-crime, or romantic hopeful lower down within the line of obligation, it is a franchise badge of honor.
Think about one thing alongside the traces of the VH1 actuality competitors sequence “Scream Queens,” through which 10 appearing contestants needed to undergo plenty of horror-related video games and challenges to see who had what it takes to play a lure participant within the then-upcoming “Noticed VI.” On “007 Probabilities to be a Bond Woman,” actors, fashions, and TikTok stars can have their very own shot at being facet by facet with Bond himself on the display screen, full with a cheeky double entendre of a reputation.
The winner shall be promised a big position in an upcoming Bond journey. Will probably be filmed however left on the chopping room ground for artistic causes.
J.W. Pepper: Louisiana Lawman
Tagline: Crime does not pay in his bayou.
All of us knew this one was coming, of us. I imply, how might you neglect the coveted position of Sheriff J.W. Pepper, a loud and casually racist lawman of the Louisiana State Police? The character, performed by the late Clifton James, has solely made two appearances all through the 007 movies with “Reside and Let Die” adopted by “The Man with the Golden Gun” as the comic relief to Roger Moore’s Bond. Is that this an outdated character whose outdated humorousness ought to be left within the early ’70s? You betcha. However with regards to franchising, nearly any excuse will be made to deliver them again reborn.
You may envision a top-to-bottom reboot that reveals how Pepper got here to be Sheriff and subsequently encounter Bond, however I am pondering we go for a full procedural sequel sequence. After experiencing the rush of the corkscrew jump in “Golden Gun,” Pepper returns residence, nonetheless dedicated to upholding the legislation, however with journey in his coronary heart. In an effort to be a real Pepper, you have to be able to hop in and take cost of a state of affairs you don’t have anything to do with — and with type.
Now not is Pepper the bumbling, unkempt sheriff, however a groomed lawman with an edge. With brother-in-law Billy Bob and his speedboat by his facet, nobody can escape the justice that Pepper, the Doomsday Machine, is bringing. Make hassle in his bayou at your individual danger.
It feels sacrilegious to think about the event of any James Bond movie with out ambassadors Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli on the helm, however as of at the moment, the future of James Bond has been placed solely within the oversight of Amazon MGM Studios. There are an entire variety of penalties that include this choice. It ensures that there shall be one other Bond movie down the road, prior to later in all probability, however on the identical time, it is going to be one whose artistic choices will possible be made primarily based on algorithmic developments as a substitute of being filtered by means of the pursuits and style of people that have shepherded these motion pictures for many years. What’s even worse is now that 007 is absolutely underneath Amazon’s management, meaning there is not any extra holdouts on the prospects of greenlighting spin-offs galore.
Amazon has technically examined the waters already with “007: Road to a Million,” a reality adventure competition series that mainly slaps the Bond pores and skin on prime of “The Wonderful Race.” It additionally featured Brian Cox as a villainous determine often called The Controller, who leads the contestants to a fantastic fortune. And Bond spin-offs go even additional again with the often-forgotten animated sequence “James Bond Jr.,” which aired for a single season in 1991.
Not like one thing like “Star Wars,” a franchise way too open-world to focus on the Skywalkers for the rest of its life, the thought of branching off from a personality that has solely been thrilling audiences on the massive display screen for over six many years in favor of extra streaming “content material” is fairly disheartening. However it does not matter what I believe. It is gonna occur anyway, so let’s brainstorm about what might come out of this historic altering of the guard.
I simply need to make it very clear that these are all horrible concepts that ought to by no means see the sunshine of day, but when I’ve realized something from this business, it is that studios will make absolutely anything if it means mining an current IP for all its value. So let’s get began.
Q Department
Tagline: Saving the world, many costly devices at a time.
Probably the least offensive route Amazon might take is exploring the inner-workings of Q Department, the analysis and growth company of the British Secret Service from which Bond will get all of his cool gadgetry. If the corporate goes to construct out the Bond universe, it might make sense for them to do a present revolving round an company we’re conversant in, with characters corresponding to M and the opposite brokers at MI6. However Q Department holds some attention-grabbing alternatives.
There are just a few approaches to a universe-extending present like this. You might keep comparatively easy and go the route of one thing like “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” or “Torchwood,” through which we see the inside lives of various gadget engineers residing their lives as they construct contraptions for Bond’s missions. With that stated, nevertheless, Q Department might take one other course into extra light-hearted territory in the vein of “Star Trek: Lower Decks,” going down throughout the world of 007 however with a humorous bent in the direction of the behind the scenes antics. Both means, it might be a reasonably unhappy sequence contemplating the entire exhausting work these engineers undergo would come again to them damaged past restore.
The Moneypenny Diaries
Tagline: Secretaries get it performed.
For about 50 years, Miss Moneypenny both sat behind a desk as M’s secretary or might be discovered all through MI6 headquarters. She trades some flirty romantic banter with Bond after which we do not actually see her once more till the subsequent 007 journey. However by the point we get to “Skyfall,” Naomie Harris’ interpretation in the Daniel Craig era isn’t solely offered with a primary title in Eve, however she’s proven to be a participant out within the discipline, actively serving to Bond on his missions. It is a character growth that continues into “Spectre” and “No Time to Die.”
Among the many many potential spin-offs, there’s some precedent to giving Moneypenny her personal present. Within the mid 2000s, writer Samantha Weinberg, underneath the pseudonym Kate Westbrook, wrote an formally licensed trilogy of books within the UK known as “The Moneypenny Diaries.” Inside its pages are tales that each fill within the gaps between different Bond adventures, in addition to the recollection of her personal. Certain, why not? You already know it is coming.
Felix Leiter: The Origin of Bond’s Finest Good friend
Tagline: See how an enduring bond started.
If Bond is ever in a pinch, there is a good probability he’ll procure some help from CIA operative and best bud, Felix Leiter. The American ally has been performed by plenty of actors like Jack Lord, David Hedison, and Jeffrey Wright (amongst many others), and on the identical time has met many fates, certainly one of which impressed one of many darkest Bond movies up to now in “License to Kill.”
Now to pose the query each 007 fan has been eager to ask for many years: Simply how did Felix come to affix the CIA? I am glad you requested. Bond and Felix make actual magic collectively, so we’re simply gonna begin by not doing that. The sequence will observe the emblems of most conventional American motion streaming applications and ignore the sequence’ inherent British taste.
I am pondering we construct up a tragic backstory through which he is almost devoured by sharks on trip. He’ll give it some thought lots. He’ll discover worth in his work and the crew he is surrounded by, however will finally really feel a lingering loneliness that solely a British undercover agent finest pal might occupy. Within the interim, Felix will turn into shut with a fellow agent with a lumbering construct who not solely betrays him just a few seasons in, however a merciless accident will ultimately transform him into the henchman known as Jaws.
There shall be moments right here and there all through Felix’s first few years the place he catches a glimpse of the brand new Bond in proximity to a case he is engaged on, till they ultimately spend an episode or two collectively within the remaining season.
007 Probabilities to be a Bond Woman
Tagline: Do you’ve what it takes to seduce 007?
Bond already has one actuality present underneath his belt with “One in a Million,” so what is the hurt of including one other one to the roster? Among the many many staples throughout the 007 franchise, one of the crucial memorable roles you would have is that of a Bond lady. Whether or not a one-off shag, partner-in-crime, or romantic hopeful lower down within the line of obligation, it is a franchise badge of honor.
Think about one thing alongside the traces of the VH1 actuality competitors sequence “Scream Queens,” through which 10 appearing contestants needed to undergo plenty of horror-related video games and challenges to see who had what it takes to play a lure participant within the then-upcoming “Noticed VI.” On “007 Probabilities to be a Bond Woman,” actors, fashions, and TikTok stars can have their very own shot at being facet by facet with Bond himself on the display screen, full with a cheeky double entendre of a reputation.
The winner shall be promised a big position in an upcoming Bond journey. Will probably be filmed however left on the chopping room ground for artistic causes.
J.W. Pepper: Louisiana Lawman
Tagline: Crime does not pay in his bayou.
All of us knew this one was coming, of us. I imply, how might you neglect the coveted position of Sheriff J.W. Pepper, a loud and casually racist lawman of the Louisiana State Police? The character, performed by the late Clifton James, has solely made two appearances all through the 007 movies with “Reside and Let Die” adopted by “The Man with the Golden Gun” as the comic relief to Roger Moore’s Bond. Is that this an outdated character whose outdated humorousness ought to be left within the early ’70s? You betcha. However with regards to franchising, nearly any excuse will be made to deliver them again reborn.
You may envision a top-to-bottom reboot that reveals how Pepper got here to be Sheriff and subsequently encounter Bond, however I am pondering we go for a full procedural sequel sequence. After experiencing the rush of the corkscrew jump in “Golden Gun,” Pepper returns residence, nonetheless dedicated to upholding the legislation, however with journey in his coronary heart. In an effort to be a real Pepper, you have to be able to hop in and take cost of a state of affairs you don’t have anything to do with — and with type.
Now not is Pepper the bumbling, unkempt sheriff, however a groomed lawman with an edge. With brother-in-law Billy Bob and his speedboat by his facet, nobody can escape the justice that Pepper, the Doomsday Machine, is bringing. Make hassle in his bayou at your individual danger.