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It's James Bond Day, if you weren't aware – October 5th is recognized as a worldwide festivity focused on all things 007, thanks to it marking the anniversary of the global debut of the first Bond film, with Sean Connery, during 1962. Imagine it as a bit like Star Wars Day, minus the furry aliens and an abundance of elegant confidence.

A Low-Key Event Now

Yet this time around, the coming of James Bond Day seems somewhat anticlimactic. It hasn't been since Denis Villeneuve was announced as the director the upcoming 007 movie in June, and even less time when the screenwriter Steven Knight was hired to write the script. Yet there has been almost no indication afterwards about the future agent actually being revealed, and very little idea about the direction this venerable franchise is going next. The only information are unconfirmed reports through film industry sources suggesting that the film-makers are seeking a comparatively fresh-faced Brit, who might be non-white although not female, an established star, or anyone we’ve vaguely heard of.

Bad News for Oddsmakers

This is, of course unwelcome developments for the many internet betting sites which have making a pretty penny for some time by attempting to persuade bettors that the competition is between several speculated candidates and that hunky guy from Saltburn with Australian origins.

A Return to the Unknown

Notably, the last time the film series chose a total unknown was in 1969, with George Lazenby for a short time carried the Walther PPK. Prior to that, Connery himself was not famous: he had had a few minor film roles and done a bit of acting and modeling gigs while also employed as a bodybuilder and milkman in his hometown before landing the lead role in Dr No. The film's producers intentionally rejected an established star; they sought an unfamiliar performer who the public would see as Bond himself, rather than as a star in the role.

Trying this approach once more might prove to be a clever decision, exactly as it was back in the sixties.

The Villeneuve Factor

However, bringing in Villeneuve involved indicates that there are no excuses in any way should the next 007 ends up as a stiff. Increasing the exploding pens and double entendres is off the table with a director like is a serious filmmaker known for genre films most famous for dense futuristic stories where the dominant feature is deep philosophical tension.

A bruiser in a dinner jacket … Daniel Craig as Bond in Casino Royale.

Fresh Approach for the Franchise

And yet, to a large extent, selecting this director reveals a great deal we should understand concerning the fresh era after Daniel Craig. It's unlikely there will be any invisible cars or sexual innuendos, and the return of the comic sheriff in the near future. All of this is, of course, quite alright if you like your James Bond with a modern twist. But it doesn’t tell us this new version regarding the stylish official killer will stand out compared to previous Bonds that came before him especially if the new era doesn’t choose to take the whole story in the original time period.

Redefining Every Period

Craig was immediately recognisable as a fresh version of elegant secret agent when he arrived in the franchise in Casino Royale from 2006, a bruiser in a dinner jacket who would avoid at all costs with ridiculous gadgets, or using sexual wordplay alongside Denise Richards while handling explosives. He caused Brosnan's tech-dependent charmer that just a short time before was regarded by certain critics as the best Bond since Connery, seem like a copycat version overheated and ruined. Not that this is anything new. After Connery came Lazenby, Then Brosnan took over from the underrated Timothy Dalton, and the campy later Moore succeeded the gritty initial Moore. Every era of 007 redefines the last one, however, every version remains in its unique manner the famous agent, deserving of a toast. It's somewhat strange, during this year's this year’s Bond Day, that the occasion calls to honor a character who doesn’t even exist yet.