Devoted James Bond enthusiasts are growing increasingly frustrated with the prolonged wait for the next 007 film, with some even suggesting that producers should end the iconic franchise altogether.

It has now been three long years since the release of the last Bond movie, 2021’s “No Time To Die,” which concluded with Daniel Craig’s Bond meeting a dramatic end via a missile blast. Barbara Broccoli, 64, who, along with her half-brother Michael G. Wilson, 82, controls the 007 series, recently announced that there is still no script, director, or lead actor to replace Daniel Craig as the legendary secret agent.

Even if a new creative team were to start work immediately, it would take at least two years to bring a new Bond film to theaters. This would result in one of the longest gaps between Bond films since the franchise’s inception in 1962.

Fans have expressed their discontent online, blaming the prolonged delay on various issues ranging from the slow process of choosing Daniel Craig’s replacement to concerns that the iconic spy isn’t “woke” enough to be revived in his current form. One exasperated fan remarked, “James Bond? More like James Bored… RIP 007.” Another suggested, “Just kill it off – he’s dead!” while a third lamented, “This delay is sure to be woke paralysis.”

Critics have also voiced their opinions, with one fan noting, “Craig and the current team of executives have killed Bond. It’s now too serious. Bond always stood out from other spy movies with its blend of humor and risqué elements. Now it lacks a Unique Selling Point. It needs to return to the spirit of the original Connery/Moore movies.”

“No Time To Die” was deemed the most ‘woke’ version of Bond in history, portraying the previously heartless, womanizing spy as sentimental enough to sacrifice his life for his love and daughter.

Industry insiders suggest that the delay in producing the next 007 installment is due to complex financial negotiations. Ajay Chowdhury, an entertainment lawyer and former president of the James Bond International Fan Club, attributed the delay to a shift in the franchise’s business model after Amazon acquired half of Bond’s rights for $8.5 billion.

Amazon’s purchase of MGM in May 2021 ended decades of financial instability for the 100-year-old studio. This acquisition now allows producers Barbara and Michael to plan multiple future films.

Mr. Chowdhury commented on the MGM acquisition’s impact: “When Disney bought Lucasfilm, there wasn’t a film for three years. A lot of work is being done, but it’s not necessarily about writing scripts right now. The Bond franchise is like a plot of land, and Amazon is building the utilities.”

Rumors are circulating that an announcement about the start of shooting for a new Bond film may come when Barbara and Michael receive the Irving G. Thalberg movie award in November. Experts suggest that the next Bond movie should explore the spy’s early days in the 1950s.

However, the original 007 character, created by Second World War naval intelligence officer turned writer Ian Fleming, has faced accusations of being misogynistic, racist, and an alcoholic rapist—traits seen as incompatible with today’s “woke” cinema landscape.

Edward Abel Smith, author of “Ian Fleming’s Inspiration,” argues that rebooting the series in a period setting could offer a fresh take and set it apart from Daniel Craig’s more sensitive portrayal of Bond.

Possible candidates for directing the next 007 movie include Edward Berger, known for his work on 2022’s “All Quiet On The Western Front.” As for who will step into Bond’s shoes, actors like Max Irons (38), Aaron Taylor-Johnson (34), Jack Lowden (34), and Taylor Swift’s ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn (33) are rumored contenders for what will be the 26th movie outing for Bond.

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