JAMES BOND GETS SHAKEN (NOT STIRRED) INTO 21ST-CENTURY THINKING

ICYMI: Billie Eilish will sing the theme song for the 25th James Bond film, No Time to Die. At just 18-years-old, the Generation Z-er is the youngest ever person to write or sing the score for the film franchise (her dark gothic-pop musical style makes her a refreshingly alternative to the power-ballad signature sound of, say, Sam Smith and Adele). The choice of Eilish is a step in the right direction for evolving the James Bond franchise in a post #MeToo era. But before we enter into a tiresome rant over casual misogyny, it seems the 007 franchise is already on a mission to modernise. Here’s a breakdown of what we know and what we hope to expect from No Time to Die.

WHAT WE KNOW:

SCORE

Throwing another spanner in the creative works; highly-acclaimed composer Hans Zimmer was recently signed on to write the score following creative differences between the production company and previous composer, Dam Romer. Along with Billie Eilish’s theme song, there’s hope that the film’s music will captivate and represent a 21st-century audience. Let’s just hope she doesn't do a Madonna, with her track Die Another Day in 2002 (Lulu said that she and Madonna had the "worst James Bond theme songs ever." Awkward.)

SCRIPT

At the request of Daniel Craig, Fleabag writer and actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge was brought on to "help out" with the script. Becoming only the second woman in Bond history to be credited on a script after Johanna Hardwood (who wrote on 1962’s Dr. No and 1963’s From Russia With Love.)

CASTING

Up-and-coming actress Lashana Lynd will play the new 007 in No Time to Die - it’s the first time a woman or person of colour has played the top secret agent. Somehow we can’t help but think it may have something to do with Waller-Bridge, who made Sandra Oh the star of her spy drama series Killing Eve.

character breakdown

Don’t you ever watch James Bond and think "God, he looks like he needs to have a good cry?" Us too. Only under Craig’s portrayal have we been even slightly introduced to a Bond with emotion. Despite his ability to kill for a living, in Casino Royale he finally meets his match in Vesper Lynd. (SPOILER ALERT: When she dies, it’s the first time Bond expresses any kind of real sadness, breaking down at the end.)