It’s understandable to be nervous aboutBond 26since it will be the start of a new era in the franchise, but two specificJames Bondmovies make me think it could be great. Not much is known about theupcomingBond 26, but we should receive more updates soon now thatAmazon has full creative controlof the franchise. Even though 2021’sNo Time to Diewas a major success, progress has been slow on the next entry. This is likely because of the reported behind-the-scenes feud between Amazon executives and Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.
Even though Broccoli and Wilson inherited the franchise from their father, Albert Broccoli, they will not be involved in futureJames Bondmovies. Instead, Amazon has hired Amy Pascal and David Heyman to produce films for the new era of the franchise. Since so many significant changes are happening behind the scenes, many fans are worried thatBond 26could be the beginning of the end for the iconic series. After all, there’s a chance that Amazon will completely mishandle the franchise. However,GoldenEyeandCasino Royalegive me hope thatBond 26will be an incredible movie.
GoldenEye & Casino Royale Give Me Hope For Bond 26
GoldenEye & Casino Royale Are Two Of The Best James Bond Movies
Even though there is cause to be concerned aboutBond 26, the franchise has overcome adversity in the past. The releases of1995’sGoldenEyeand 2006’sCasino Royaleare two perfect examples of times the franchise reminded fans that there’s no need to worry. These two entries are especially important to examine right now, since they are the films that the last twoJames Bond actorsdebuted in. Pierce Brosnan stepped into 007’s shoes inGoldenEyeand Daniel Craig debuted as Bond inCasino Royaleafter initially facing a lot of backlash from fans.
$124,900,000
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$78,900,000
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$59,566,680
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$594,420,216
94%
$1,110,526,981
92%
$141,200,000
85%
$758,929,771
83%
$185,400,000
82%
$82,000,000
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GoldenEye (1995)
$356,429,933
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Before the release ofGoldenEye, MGM and Eon Productions were fighting in court over the rights of the franchise. This legal battle resulted in significant delays for the nextJames Bondmovie. Originally, Timothy Dalton was planned to return for his thirdBondmovie, but ultimately decided to leave the franchise because the film was delayed for so long. As a result,Brosnan stepped into the role, and his firstJames Bondmovie,GoldenEye, was a major hit, earning an 80% on Rotten Tomatoes and making $356 million at the worldwide box office (viaRotten Tomatoes,The Numbers).
Over the past few years, theJames Bondfranchise has been in a similar place as it was in the early 90s. Eon Productions and Amazon, who purchased MGM in 2022, never needed to go to court, but there have been many reports of behind-the-scenes feuds. These types of problems are always concerning, butthe success ofGoldenEyeproves thatBond 26can overcome the adversity and still be a great movie.
Meanwhile, 11 years after the release ofGoldenEye,Casino Royalestarted a new era of the franchise with a new continuity and a different tone. Since Craig’s version ofJames Bonddies at the end ofNo Time to Die, starting fresh is something thatBond 26will also need to do. Fans were worried aboutCasino Royalebefore its release, but just likeGoldenEye, it ended up being a major success.Casino Royalehas an impressive 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and grossed $594 million at the worldwide box office (viaRotten Tomatoes,The Numbers).
Will Bond 26 Be Able To Mimic The Success Of GoldenEye & Casino Royale?
Not Much Is Known About Bond 26
Obviously,GoldenEyeandCasino Royalewere both major critical and commercial successes. Therefore,Bond 26should look at these two movies for inspiration. Currently, not a lot of information is known about the nextJames Bondmovie, but with the right plan and leadership, it could end up being one of the best films in the franchise.GoldenEyeandCasino Royaleboth prove that even though the production process hasn’t gone smoothly,Bond 26can still end up being a great movie.
Regardless of who ends up directing and starring in the nextJames Bondmovie, it would be wise for them to study and understand exactly why bothGoldenEyeandCasino Royaleresonated with critics and general audiences.
It’s worth noting that, due to the major behind-the-scenes shakeups,Bond 26will have a significantly different creative team thanGoldenEyeandCasino Royale. Not only wereGoldenEyeandCasino Royaleboth produced by Broccoli and Wilson, but they were also both directed by Martin Campbell. Because of these two films, many fans believe Campbell is the bestJames Bonddirector ever. Since he is still working as a director, Amazon could actually hire Campbell to helm yet another movie in the franchise. However, he has not been rumored for the job.
Instead,directors like Alfonso Cuarón and even Christopher Nolan have been rumored to helmBond 26. However, any potential directors and actors forBond 26are only speculation at this point. Regardless of who ends up directing and starring in the nextJames Bondmovie, it would be wise for them to study and understand exactly why bothGoldenEyeandCasino Royaleresonated with critics and general audiences. If the creative team does this, thenBond 26could also be one of the best movies in the franchise.
Bond 26 Could Be The Most Important James Bond Movie Ever
Can Amazon Properly Handle The James Bond Franchise?
GoldenEyeandCasino Royaleboth marked significant turning points for theJames Bondfranchise. Thankfully, both of these movies were major successes and had fans asking for more. IfBond 26does not get this kind of reception, it would not bode well for the future of the franchise. Therefore,the nextJames Bondmovie needs to immediately get fans on board and prove that Amazon can be trusted with the beloved series.
It is also worth noting thatBond 26is being produced at a time when some franchises are playing it quite safe to avoid fan outrage, but this is not something Amazon should do. Looking back to the release ofCasino Royale(and Craig’s otherBondfilms), theJames Bondfranchise had to evolve and step its game up to compete against series likeJason BourneandMission: Impossible.Bond 26needs to mimic this strategy so that it doesn’t blend in with the countless other franchises that are trying to be the new king of the spy genre.
To ensureJames Bondremains one of the world’s most popular franchises,Amazon’s executives need to put in extra work to make a statement withBond 26. Now that Amazon has full creative control, it is also likely that severalJames Bondspinoffswill be greenlit in the coming years. However, viewers will only watch these spinoffs if the mainline movies are received well. Therefore, if Amazon wants to expand theJames Bondfranchise and capitalize on the many intriguing characters, it needsBond 26to be a home run, just likeGoldenEyeandCasino Royalewere many years ago.
