My first James Bond film I ever saw was 1979’s Moonraker. The 11th installment of Ian Fleming’s 007 franchise featured Roger Moore in one of the more outlandish plots the super spy had to thwart against Hugo Drax. I was probably about 10-years-old when I saw it, and that was all I needed to be hooked on the world of 007.
Now here we are, 40 years later and Bond is still going strong with Daniel Craig taking the title role for his fifth and final time in Bond 25: No Time To Die. The trailer hit this week. Check it out:
Classic James Bond With All the Trimmings
The No Time To Die trailer opens in usual Bond style, a car chase in a classic Aston Martin, a beautiful girl (Madeline Swann played by Léa Seydoux), machine gun fire and bungee-jumping off a bridge; and that’s in the first 20 seconds.
We also get looks at returning characters Q, M, Felix Leiter, Blofeld, Madeline Swann, Agent Paloma, and Mrs. Moneypenny, along with new double-0 character Nomi, and our first look at our new villain, Safin.
Daniel Craig’s Last Hurrah As 007
Daniel Craig stated he’s finished as James Bond after his 4th appearance in Spectre, but later changed his mind claiming it was the best experience he’s ever had. Then he even personally got Phoebe Waller-Bridge to co-write the script. Star Wars fans will know her better as the rebellious droid L3-37 from Solo: A Star Wars Story, and her writing for Fleabag is one of the hottest things going in Hollywood right now. Rumor has it EON Productions is already asking her to pen the next untitled James Bond film as well.
Craig started as James Bond in 2006’s Casino Royale, which fans say is still his best Bond performance. He would then go on to do Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, and Spectre before declaring his exit from the franchise. He decided to give it one last go with No Time To Die, and then declared yet again on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert that his Bond career is over.
Colbert: Are you done with Bond?
Craig: Yes.
Colbert: You’re done with Bond?!
Craig: It’s done.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Related Story: Could Idris Elba be the next James Bond?
His confirmed departure starts a whole new flurry of speculation on who will play this iconic role in the future. The introduction of Lashana Lynch’s new double-0 character, Nomi, makes some waves. With Bond’s supposed retirement in the end of Spectre, Nomi becomes the new 007, but apparently just for this film. Other names tossed around for the role are Idris Elba, Henry Cavill, Richard Madden, Tom Hardy, Michael Fassbender, and Tom Hiddleston. And that’s just a few.
The Villain: Rami Malek as Safin
Almost as famous as the “Bond Girls” are the wild assortment of Bond villains. No Time To Die features two. Cristoph Waltz makes an incarcerated appearance, reprising his role as Ernst Stavro Blofeld. Then we get a look at our main villain for this film, hot off of his Best Actor Oscar win, Rami Malek as Safin.
Early in production, rumors swirled that Malek may be taking the role of a modernized Dr. No, giving the title of No Time To Die a named connection to his character. Now learn that information was incorrect. Safin is his name, and his origins and motivations are mysterious. One thing for sure, however, is that like most Bond villains, he’s got some nastiness up his sleeve when we hear Bond warn him in the trailer:
“History isn’t kind to men who play God.”
We can only imagine what global conquest/extermination/destruction that foreshadows!
James Bond 007: No Time To Die releases April 8th, 2020.
Contributing source: CinemaBlend
