The Case for a Young Bond

I know the front end of this isn’t remotely an original thought. Everyone is clamoring to rush something out to clickbait discuss Patrick Gibson and Bond 26.

But I ask you to bear with me on this thought experiment.

I rarely take the time to do so with Bond anymore, with all of the waiting, speculation, and betting markets, too often it feels like wasted breath. And, five years in, it’s the same conversation a million times over and again. I do promise that this contains some originality, and a case - or at least a thought experiment - as to what I would love to see happen with the silver screen debut of Amazon MGM’s 007.

Let’s start with the easy points.

31 years old. A younger man. Someone who is known, but not overwhelmingly so.

Exactly what Amazon wants.

So the demographic data checks out. Again, the easy part. But what about the portrayal as Bond?

On screen during FIRST LIGHT, Gibson’s Bond is such a pleasure to watch and go on a journey alongside. He doesn’t feel like the jaded Bond we have been with during Craig’s tenure. He plays the character as an amalgamation of a young Brosnan and Dalton 007, with the gadgets and fun of a Moore, in addition to the detective aspects of Connery and Fleming. Add in a modern story that feels worthy of the character and you have a winning, cinematic quality storyline pushed into a game format.

We get the witticisms of a sharp and arrogant young man that’s layered strongly with his love for his companions. It’s that verbal armour Vesper notes in CASINO ROYALE, but a little rougher around the edges. In FIRST LIGHT, the serious losses and early years as a 00 that likely add to his armor haven’t occurred yet, and you feel that. But the DNA of Bond is so clear even in the opening scenes.

Read my full review of the game in detail in this article. In short, I loved it.

The appeal of Gibson is apparent. He is a fantastic steward of the James Bond legacy. And, he’s a young man whose story could carry across both video games and films. Amazon’s plan for a world of James Bond, while it more than likely means separate avenues and a different onscreen 007, would be an exciting avenue to showcase a character who debuts in a game, to be brought to life on the silver screen.

The die has been cast, the hunt has begun. So where do things go from here? Like I mentioned, the need for a younger Bond has been a clear requirement from day one - something that’s always made the tabloid rumor mill exhausting to me - as none of the names are typically even close to where they need an actor to be in age. So where do they go? How young is too young?

After all, between CASINO ROYALE and FIRST LIGHT, it’s abundantly clear that an origin story is off the table. So why not take advantage of a freshly minted 007 in his early 30’s? Allow the video games to stand on their own - like BLOODSTONE - and don’t force in any MCU style “you had to see this to know that” sort of moments.

The appeal of a Bond movie is that they are self encapsulated adventures (the Craig films notwithstanding). There’s an established modern Bond, with a fantastic set of supporting characters, racing to discover a new mystery. Picking up where that leaves off would be perfect.

And, let’s not forget, Connery’s established 007 was in his early 30’s as well, with Connery being 31 years old during the filming of DR. NO. But like in DR. NO, Bond needs a companion.

From the first novel, Bond is rarely alone. He’s accompanied by ample beauties, yes - but the one constant in some of the best Bond adventures is Felix Leiter. CASINO ROYALE introduces the character, with a nice line from Fleming, a bit of internal dialogue from Bond:

“Bond reflected that good Americans were fine people and that most of them seemed to come from Texas.” - Ian Fleming, CASINO ROYALE , Chapter 7 - Rouge et Noir

Leiter is described as being “about thirty-five” with straw colored blonde hair, with wry eyes, a calm, slow drawl and an easy smile. Seven men have played the character in the EON films, with varying degrees of success. None, aside from perhaps Jack Lord, remotely bring the Fleming defined traits of the character to life. Few mistakes were made during the Connery Era, but perhaps the most unforgivable was the removal of Lord - reportedly due to fear of the actor upstaging Connery. The end result was the parade of Leiters, and a character who felt more like an equal and trusted companion being reduced to a more simplified ally. The longest serving actor, Jeffrey Wright - who played the character in three of five Craig films, brought a serious tone and gravitas to the role that is undisputed, but the core of the character - a slow-talking, jack-knife, former Marine, that man was still missing in action.

With Amazon’s reported interest in building a James Bond universe, and their continued emphasis on the Fleming source material as critical reading for crafting that universe, having an actor who can command the role and stand on their own if needed is essential. And frankly, who better than a real, proper Texan, whose been dominating action films on his own during the dwell time between Bond films - Glen Powell. Together, the two would be a dominating force for Amazon MGM.

He’s already an Omega partner, and a proud Texan who comfortably wears elevated Western style that wouldn’t look out of place alongside the more dressed down. neat casual Gibson 007 on the streets of any global hotspot.

The future of James Bond is uncertain - aside from one thing. Amazon MGM. I believe in their passion for the character, and their eagerness to do Fleming and the EON legacy justice. I’d love to see my little vision here come to life, but I don’t sit with bated breath waiting for it to happen. After all, a game every 2-3 years with a film in-between sounds like the perfect schedule to keep things moving, but allowing the mystery and excitement to remain. If not this thought experiment, I do hope we find another young man like this to fill the role, so that we can enjoy a consistent and healthy world of James Bond once again.

Thanks for coming on this journey with me. Now let’s get back to replaying FIRST LIGHT.