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This Sunday is 007 Day, in case you missed it – 5 October has become a international observance focused on the world of 007, due to this being the date of the world premiere of the first Bond film, starring Sean Connery, during 1962. Think of it similar to the Star Wars celebration, with fewer Wookiees and Ewoks and an abundance of sophisticated style.

A Muted Observance Now

But on this occasion, the coming of JBD is a bit like a damp squib. Not long has passed after the filmmaker was confirmed as the director the future installment earlier this year, and even less time since Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight was brought on board to write the script. But there’s been almost no indication from that point regarding the next Bond actually being revealed, with minimal clarity of where this iconic film series is going next. All we have are unconfirmed reports through film industry sources indicating that the film-makers are seeking a comparatively fresh-faced British actor, who might be a person of colour although not a female actor, a franchise star, or a person slightly known.

Disappointment for Oddsmakers

Undoubtedly, this represents unwelcome developments for the hordes gambling platforms that have making a pretty penny for months now through efforts to suggest bettors that the selection process is among Callum Turner, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Henry Cavill, Theo James, Leo Woodall plus the charismatic star featured in Saltburn who is actually Australian.

A Return to Newcomers

Notably, the last time the film series chose a complete unknown was in 1969, when George Lazenby briefly took up the Walther PPK. Before that, Connery himself certainly wasn’t a star: he had taken several supporting roles along with some acting and modeling gigs as well as working in fitness and milk delivery in his hometown before landing the starring part in the debut movie. The creative heads intentionally rejected an established star; they wanted an unfamiliar performer who the public would accept as Bond himself, instead of a performer portraying Bond.

Repeating this trick may end up as an ingenious move, similar to how it worked back in the sixties.

Director's Influence

However, bringing in Villeneuve involved indicates that there's no room for error in any way if this new Bond ends up as unconvincing. Amplifying the exploding pens and double entendres is no longer an option when your new director is a solemn auteur specializing in cinematic genres renowned for dense futuristic stories in which the most intense element is deep philosophical tension.

A bruiser in a dinner jacket … Daniel Craig in 2006’s Casino Royale.

Updated Vision for James Bond

However, in numerous aspects, selecting this director reveals a great deal we should understand concerning the fresh post-Daniel Craig direction. It's unlikely there will be stealth automobiles or double entendres, and it's doubtful we'll see the comic sheriff back any time soon. These changes are, of course, perfectly acceptable for those who prefer your 007 contemporary in style. But it doesn’t tell us the director's interpretation regarding the stylish official killer will stand out against earlier agents who immediately preceded him especially if the upcoming phase opts not to take the whole story back to Ian Fleming’s original 50s and 60s setting.

Transforming Each Era

Craig was immediately recognisable as a fresh version of stylish operative upon his debut on the scene in Casino Royale from 2006, a tough character in formal attire who would never be caught dead in a stealth vehicle, or trading sex puns with Denise Richards while handling explosives. He rendered Pierce Brosnan’s gadget-addled smoothie who only a few years previously was viewed by many the top 007 after Connery, look like a copycat version left too long in the microwave. Not that this is anything new. After Connery came Lazenby, Brosnan followed the underrated Timothy Dalton, and cheesy late-era Roger Moore came after the intense early Moore. Every era of 007 alters the prior, but each one is in its unique manner James Bond 007, deserving of a toast. It’s just a little weird, while we mark this year’s Bond Day, that we are being invited to toast one who remains unidentified.