I love stories. After all, I have written a fair few myself.
A story serves a purpose. Every word, every scene forms elements of cultural texts, offering an insight into the world we live in, or should wish to.
Often, stores are uniquely personal to the author, director, screen writer or the reader. Sometimes they are a direct commentary on the times we are living through. Or both.
It is such that some stories run their course. Some still require work, and some are beyond done. I have always believed that it is best to end a story on a strong note and not attempt to pull the audience from one vague plot point to another.
This leads me to one of my favourite stories in the English language.
Bond. James Bond.
I love Bond. I have read every novel written by Ian Fleming, in order. I have seen every movie (including the unofficial films.) I have my preferred actors, novels and films. I can quote entire passages of the films from memory.
And like every 1990s kid, I had Goldeneye on Nintendo 64.
In 2026, we are awaiting to see which actor will essay James Bond in the up coming films. Debate continues on who would make the best new actor, who emulates his traits and looks. Who is suitable with these modern times? Amazon studios are meant to be running the shop going forward.
I should quickly comment that the original Bond of Flemings story is without question; a civil servant by day, imperial assassin of England by night, slightly racist, definitely sexist, chain smoking, PTSD-ridden, alcoholic, ex-naval officer, who isn’t entirely comfortable with himself (some might argue, wishes to die.)
I studied him as a character at university for a time and was probably the only student who loved him. Characters are not meant to be good or evil opposites. They are supposed to be morally complicated. This is what makes him so interesting.
In short, Bond is both a product of his times (the books were written in the 1950s) and a fascinatingly complex, well written and enjoyable character.
And in 2026, we again look to a new actor.
Every time we arrive at these crossroads in Bond, bets across the gambling community flare to life on who it might be. Once chosen, a Bond actor takes time to set their mould, win the hearts of the fans and establish their paths. When Daniel Craig was cast in 2005, the world nearly had a collective heart attack because he was a blonde Bond. And yet, he blew things out of the park with his debut Casino Royale (this is the first Bond novel and was therefore contributed to successfully jump starting a reboot of the story.)
And it is not a spoiler that Bond dies in No Time to Die. We all saw it. As dead as Julius Ceaser, to quote the original Bond actor when he played the part of one of the Untouchables (1987.)
And given that the series is about to experience yet another reboot, another retelling of the story, mostly for money – lets be frank about this – I am of the following opinion.
End the series here and now.
I have to start by questioning why there is a need to create another timeline, another approach, another essaying of the character. Or worse, a spin off on some character that we do not need to know about.
The story, after all, was and always has been, about 007.
The obvious answer is money – after all James Bond is a massive business with thousands of shareholders, products of various forms, spinoffs and a good few million fans.
And this is where the story has run its course. Originally, Bond was essayed as a civil servant in MI6, created by an author who himself served in the Secret Service. And Fleming almost killed Bond off on several occasions before being convinced to spare his life.
In the end, Fleming left the story on a sour note, with the questionable novel, The Man with the Golden Gun (Mr Fleming passed away shortly before finishing the book) and this serves my point – the creation has outlived the creator.
And the creation is no longer what it was. No longer fitting into these modern times. Being changed to fit these modern times, when it should not be the case.
And over 60 years later, intentions are to bring the seventh actor into the fold. Eventually, at least.
A debate that has been going on since Daniel Craig’s Bond was incinerated in 2021.
Do we even need this story? Where is the story going to go? How are they going to create another story, short of rebooting the series.
It is the sincere hope of this author that the creators do not appeal to online fanfare, which was witnessed by Game of Thrones writers, and invent stories that are not consistent with logic, fact or reality. I am talking about fan theories.
I refer, of course, to the theory that James Bond, 007, is entirely a code name and that when one man who bears the code name dies or retires, another takes his place. It would betray the storyline of the novels, the films and their continuity. This is not to suggest that the idea of the theory is not fun, but it would not fit nor make sense within the wider context of the Bond universe.
Therefore, the best and most sensible thing to do is to allow the series to die with dignity. All of the original Fleming source material has been utilized. The reboot of Bond, under the watch of Craig, has been both written and filmed. There is nowhere else to take the series.
The only acceptable route to follow would be to start from the very beginning, following the structure of Casino Royale to the conclusion in The Man with the Golden Gun. But Fleming himself died as this novel was being finished – and the story would end on a sour note like the latter novel.
So, do the story justice and allow it to be finished now with dignity. Before we see a Marvel Franchise, a terrible piece of story writing like the final two seasons of Game of Thrones (yes, I’m still hurt over that) or the mess of anything post 2012 from Star Wars.
It is with a heavy heart that I write this piece on ending the Bond stories now. But, in 2026, with our woke culture, post-modern identity that we employ; it holds no place for 007.
James Bond, as a character and story, belongs in the past, where he is protected, adored and enjoyed.
Please, just let the series die here, with dignity, honour and respect.
Please do not drag it through the mud, in an attempt to bleed the series dry, until there is nothing left of the original vision of Bond, James Bond. The character deserves better.