There is perhaps no other character in all of film that has such instant recognition asJames Bond. No matter where you are in the world, there will more than likely be someone who knows of 007 or their catchphrases. Therefore,whoever plays Bond has a significant amount of weight on their shoulders,hence why the current speculation surrounding who the next Bond will be is only ever ratcheting up. However, there is a smaller yet no less important aspect of the new era of the franchise. That being whether any of the supporting characters will carry over with the same actors. Throughout the series, we have had different Qs played by characters such asBen WhishawandDesmond Llewelynand different Moneypennys played byNaomie HarrisandLois Maxwell. However, the wayactors such as Llewelyn continued throughout the different eras is a fascinating and excellent detailthat not only gives a certain level of continuity to the fans but also serves a key role in helping to establish the new James Bond.
M Is the Most Famous Example of Actors Carrying Over in the James Bond Franchise
While the aforementioned Llewelyn has the most appearances in the franchise, with 17, ranging from 1963 to 1999’sThe World is Not Enough, it is perhaps the iconic actorsBernard LeeandDame Judi Denchwho are the ones most fans would name if they were asked who the stewards of the films are. Both actors played the fantastic role of M, with Lee playing the character in eleven Eon Productions films and Judi Dench taking over from Lee until her final appearance inSpectre. While Bond is unique as an IP in its ability to change the actors playing their protagonist almost at will, these inclusions are necessary to the franchise, as they tie them together. Especiallyfor more casual viewers, it helps to bring continuity and a sense of familiaritythat won’t confuse audiences. If every character were recast, the job for the director and writers would be even harder than it already is, as the chemistry and interpersonal dynamics would be constantly chopping and changing.
Amazon’s New Era Should Continue the Tradition of M Being Played By the Same Actor
Of course, at the moment, everything is up in the air in terms of who will play what role in the new era of James Bond. However, it feels like an absolute no-brainer for Amazon to carry overRalph Fiennes' M. It could be Whishaw’s Q or Harris' Moneypenny, but having it be M who carries over is an even better decision because of their superiority. By being the ones who specifically give Bond the missions, they act as a guide for 007 and the audience as well by introducing what the goal of our protagonist is. The dynamic is one we know: a stern M and a Bond who doesn’t want to play by the rules yet cannot help but respect M’s authority, and hearing them call the new 007 “Bond” instantly attaches the identity to the new actor. Simply put,if we see a senior figure recognize the actor, the audience will accept it.Furthermore,with Ralph Fiennes' popularity,this would surely be an instant marketing win for Amazon, and that goes for Whishaw and Harris too, as they are also actors with high standing in the film community.
It is impossible to know whether these continuities will be implemented. However, Amazon would be fools to not carry over at least one actor in the same role as theDaniel Craigera. In the past, doing so has proven to be successful. From Q to Moneypenny to the most recognizable of all, M, it is these characters who expand the world beyond the martini-drinking 007 agent. Without them, there is a real possibility of Bond not being believable at all, if he was to begin with. However, by including them, we understand thatBond is not a completely rogue warrioracting of his own accord but part of a bigger world that places great stakes on his missions. While the main focus may be on who we see for the first time as James Bond,perhaps it’s who we will see again that will steal the showand add more than we could imagine to the new era at Amazon.
