Rebooting the Bond Franchise: Staying True to the Original Era is Key
Whenever a resurgence of the James Bond franchise is mentioned it brings forward the question of whether the Bond character should be reshaped to fit the scope of contemporary culture. While well-intentioned, such assertions raise concerns about the integrity of an iconic figure like Bond — at least for the core fan base.
There is nothing inherently wrong with crafting espionage-related, action-adventure characters that reflect current cultural or sociopolitical leanings. I’d watch a film based on a character built along those premises.
However, the Bond we know and have elevated to iconic status should not be a canvas for such contemporary re-imaginings. He’s a classic, like a vintage Aston Martin, with a charm that lies in his very feral and masculine originality. He should remain unadulterated by the winds of change.
Bond should continue to be crafted as a throwback to another time. Wanting that does not mean that one is insensitive to or disparate from the present. It is merely an acceptance of the way things were in the past and a way to provide contrast with the present.
How individual moviegoers react to such a character should be a matter of individual taste and opinion. For some, the reaction may be a hearkening back to the way things were…
