James Bond as a Father Would Benefit the Next 007 Movie

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With Daniel Craig finishing his time as James Bond in 2021’s No Time to Die, the future of the franchise is now open. While it’s highly improbable Craig will reprise the role, his portrayal will likely shape the next film, currently known as James Bond 26. Although Denis Villeneuve is directing and Steven Knight is writing, very little is known about the movie, and the next actor to play 007 hasn’t been chosen yet.

Daniel Craig often expressed his reluctance to continue playing James Bond, but he ultimately stayed on to give fans the conclusion they wanted. This allowed his version of the character to have a more complete story and a fitting end. The way No Time to Die ended was particularly notable, as it made Craig’s Bond the first to actually die, bringing a definitive close to his time as 007. However, it’s not just the ending that should influence the next actor to take on the role; another aspect of the film could significantly impact their portrayal of the iconic spy.

‘No Time to Die’ Barely Explored the Concept of James Bond as a Father


Nicola Dove / © MGM / © Danjaq / Courtesy Everett Collection

Daniel Craig’s portrayal of James Bond wasn’t just notable for being the first to die in a film; it also broke new ground by introducing a child to the story. In No Time to Die, Mathilde Swann (played by Lisa-Dorah Sonnet) was revealed to be Bond’s daughter, a surprise to both him and the audience. Traditionally, James Bond has been defined by his lack of deep personal connections. His life revolves around his work, and any relationships he forms are usually tied to his profession or are, at best, superficial – this distance has always been a key part of his character.

Daniel Craig’s James Bond Movies & Their Rotten Tomatoes Scores
Movie Year Score
Casino Royale 2006 94%
Quantum of Solace 2008 63%
Skyfall 2012 92%
Spectre 2015 63%
No Time to Die 2021 83%

Mathilde’s arrival dramatically shifted Bond’s focus. He was no longer solely concerned with his own safety and national security, but also with the well-being of his daughter. This added a compelling new dimension to the character, forcing him to confront challenges he hadn’t faced before. While his self-sacrifice to save Mathilde provided a fittingly emotional conclusion to Daniel Craig’s time as Bond, it’s unfortunate that we only briefly saw Bond as a father. Had Craig continued in the role, even for one more film, the story could have delved much deeper into this new aspect of his life.

James Bond’s Next Era Should Borrow From ‘No Time to Die’s James Bond Fatherhood Twist


United Artists Releasing/Universal Pictures

The next James Bond film likely won’t start with the new 007 as a father. Traditionally, James Bond is known as a sophisticated, unmarried spy who isn’t burdened with protecting a family. So, the actor chosen to play Bond will probably begin by portraying him in that classic way. However, since all of Ian Fleming’s original Bond novels have already been made into movies, the films are now based on entirely new stories inspired by Fleming’s work, rather than directly adapting the books. This will likely continue with the 26th Bond film and any future installments.

After so many films, James Bond’s character has been deeply explored, so it’s natural that No Time to Die dared to try new things. Giving Bond a daughter fundamentally changed what drove him, offering audiences a fresh perspective after 25 familiar movies. The introduction of Mathilde was a clever move, and it would be great to see the franchise explore that idea again in the future, even if it takes a while. Perhaps the next Bond could become a parent later in his run, allowing for a continuing storyline, unlike what happened with Craig’s Bond.

The Next Bond Having a Child Would Create a Familiar 007 Continuity Quirk


MGM

The history of James Bond films is famously complicated. Before Daniel Craig took on the role, it was unclear whether all the different actors had been playing the same Bond throughout his life, or if each film series was a fresh start. The filmmakers have never clarified this, and there’s no way to know for sure. However, Daniel Craig’s films represented a significant reboot of the franchise. His first film, Casino Royale (2006), effectively reset the continuity, making all previous Bond movies non-essential to the story.

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The next James Bond movie will likely start fresh, similar to Casino Royale, by essentially rebooting the storyline while keeping the basic world details consistent. A potential problem arises if the new 007 also has a child, particularly a daughter, as it could make the future films feel too connected to No Time to Die and Daniel Craig’s portrayal of Bond. That storyline was very specific to Craig’s time as the character. However, a somewhat confusing timeline has become a trademark of the James Bond franchise, and it’s okay if future movies acknowledge elements of No Time to Die, like a child, as long as it doesn’t feel like a direct continuation.

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2025-12-22 22:19