However, despite not being the first book, Dr. No was the first James Bond movie to actually be filmed. Fleming sold the movie rights of Casino Royale to producer Gregory Ratoff in 1955. Eon Productions, run by Albert “Cubby” Broccoli and Harry Saltzman, purchased the rights to the entire James Bond story from Fleming in 1961, and with Casino Royale not included, they had to settle for Dr. No. It was not an origin story but was the perfect film to kick off the franchise while cementing many of the franchise's iconic aspects that still continue to this day.

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How Many James Bond Movies Are There?

"Unofficial" Bond Movies Complicate The Franchise

When looking at how many James Bond movies there are, it is a bit more complicated than expected. Two of the movies featuring the famous spy are considered “non-Eon” films, having been produced by other studios. Casino Royale was first in 1967, starring David Niven in what was a spy movie spoof by Columbia Pictures. The second was Never Say Never Again in 1983 in the “Battle of the Bonds.” Broccoli and Saltzman wanted Thunderball to be the first Bond film, but due to a legal dispute between Fleming and producer Kevin McClory, that film was not an option to start the franchise.

McClory was awarded screenplays he and Fleming co-wrote because of the plagiarism suit filed against Fleming. McClory assembled a team to produce a new script based on Thunderball and convinced Sean Connery to reprise the role and compete against Roger Moore, Broccoli, and Octopussy. As a film released by someone other than Eon Productions, Never Say Never Again isn't a Bond film in the conventional sense which is confusing given that it features perhaps the most iconic Bond actor in the role. There are 25 total official James Bond movies and two that are not connected to the main franchise.

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Do The James Bond Movies Follow The Books?

Each Actor Was Allowed Their Own Take On 007

Ian Flemings' books provided the foundation for all of the James Bond movies, but not all of them are based on novels while others are loose adaptations. Exceptions like Thunderball, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, and Goldfinger do follow the plots of their respective books, but Casino Royale (2006) is the closest in of matching the novel’s plot — while also improving on it. Even the character of Bond himself became something new each time a new actor took over the role.

Connery and Moore were the charismatic, playboy-type, although Connery had more of a rugged look than Moore. Timothy Dalton was an avid reader of the Bond books and sought a more real and raw Bond, something closer to Fleming’s version. Brosnan and Craig were cunning and smooth, but Brosnan leaned away from emotional decisions, whereas Craig's Bond can have a ferocious bite when tested. The different iterations of Bond portrayed are why fans love the franchise so much.

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How Long Do Actors Play James Bond?

Roger Moore Holds The Record For Bond Appearances

A hunt for a new James Bond is always a challenge since finding the right actor to follow in a solid history of Bond films is a make or break for the franchise. Many of the actors who have portrayed 007 stayed for several films, although George Lazenby starred in only one film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, before stepping down. When Connery left after You Only Live Twice, the team sought to build around their new star in Lazenby, but he declined, and Connery stepped back into the role for Diamonds are Forever. This gave Connery six official James Bond movies and one non-EON movie over 10 years.

Roger Moore was the next major James Bond after Connery and starred in seven official movies, one more than Connery, over 12 years. Timothy Dalton only took two turns from 1987 to 1989 and then Pierce Brosnan ed the franchise. He starred in a total of four movies over seven years. The most recent Bond was Daniel Craig, who helped reinvent the franchise with five interconnected films over 15 years. As the James Bond fandom prepares for yet another change, now might be the perfect time to revisit the movies that came before.

What The Future Of The James Bond Franchise Looks Like

Bond 26 Is In The Works

Despite Daniel Craig's 007 dying No Time To Die, the 26th James Bond movie is in the works. While there's little currently known about the next James Bond movie, there are a few confirmed details. Firstly, it's known that the next movie will feature a new 007 following Daniel Craig's departure. There's several rumored candidates, though it currently seems that Aaron Taylor-Johnson is the frontrunner for the new James Bond.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson has significant action movie experience, having appeared in The King's Man, Bullet Train, and Avengers: Age of Ultron. With this in mind, it's easy to see why the actor is a prime candidate for the 26th James Bond movie. The plot of the next 007 film is also undetermined, and it doesn't even yet have a title. However, if the history of the franchise is anything to go by, Aaron Taylor-Johnson's 007 (presuming he is successful) will usher in a new Bond era just as Daniel Craig did before him.

All of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels have been adapted to the screen by this point, which means it's not possible to pinpoint any likely candidates for the story. However, there are plenty of Bond movies that aren't based on books, so this isn't any reason for fans to worry. All this means is that when Bond 26 does eventually arrive it will be full of surprises, and will be a rejuvination for the James Bond franchise.

James Bond

Created by

Ian Fleming, Albert R. Broccoli

First Film

Dr. No

Latest Film

No Time to Die

Films

James Bond 26

Cast

Daniel Craig

Genres

Action

The James Bond franchise follows the adventures of British secret agent 007 as he combats global threats. With a license to kill, Bond faces off against various villains and criminal organizations, employing high-tech gadgets, espionage, and charm. The series spans multiple films, featuring exotic locations, thrilling action sequences, and memorable characters. Bond's mission to protect the world and uphold justice remains central, making the franchise an enduring icon in the spy genre.

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