Best of Summer: Daniel Craig’s Final Mission as James Bond is Nigh
Unlike most of our “Best of Summer” series, this is not an interview. But, it is a taste of what’s to come—Daniel Craig’s final mission as James Bond in the upcoming, long-awaited “No Time To Die.”
In the pantheon of iconic movie lines, few have the potency of the three words that make up “Bond, James Bond.” It’s this classic introduction that animates a brand new No Time To Die teaser, the last mission for Daniel Craig as the deathless British superspy in one of the films we’ve been waiting for—and waiting for—since last year.
The teaser gives us a brief, punchy look at co-writer and director Cary Joji Fukunaga’s long-awaited film, the 25th installment in the venerable franchise. No Time To Die finds Bond attempting something he’s never done before—retirement, in this case in Jamaica. It’s been five years since the events in Spectre where Bond tangled with the mastermind Blofeld (Christoph Waltz, back again, this time from a cell), and MI6’s legendary super spy has been nursing his wounds with his preferred tonic of alcohol and stoicism. “After five years of retirement, who has he become?” Fukanaga asked in a No Time To Die teaser from last year. “He’s sort of a wounded animal struggling with his role as a double O. The world’s changed, the rules of engagement aren’t what they used to be. The rules of espionage are darker in this era of asymmetric warfare.“
We know that Bond won’t stay retired for long. He’s gently nudged back into the game by CIA agent Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright). He’ll be reacquainted with old friends like Madeleine Swann (Lea Seydoux), old enemies like the aforementioned Blofeld (Waltz), and meet new allies like Nomi (Lashana Lynch). The main threat in No Time To Die comes from Safin (Malek), who, according to Fukanaga, will be challenging Bond in a way he’s never dealt with before, and threatening everyone and everything he holds dear.
No Time To Die is due to hit theaters this October. Fukunaga and his writing team (including Phoebe Waller-Bridge, no less) have crafted the longest Bond film of all time, at 2 hours and 43 minutes. That’ll give Daniel Craig plenty of time for a proper, well-earned goodbye.
Check out the teaser below:
For more on No Time To Die, check out these stories:
Listen to the First Episode of The Official “No Time To Die” Podcast
Meet James Bond’s Most Dangerous Adversary Yet
“No Time To Die” Drops Sensational Second Trailer
No Time To Die Writer/Director Cary Fukunaga Pitched an Insane Original Premise
Featured image: James Bond (Daniel Craig) and Paloma (Ana de Armas) in NO TIME TO DIE an EON Productions and Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios film Credit: Nicola Dove. © 2020 DANJAQ, LLC AND MGM. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
