Daniel Craig says goodbye to 007

The iconic actor’s final film in the James Bond franchise

ANNA VALAIK / ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR / THE USD VISTA

As the saying goes, “All good things must come to an end” – so, too, did Daniel Craig’s reign as James Bond. Craig is not the first actor to exit this franchise, but he represents, arguably, the hardest goodbye. 15 years and five movies later, Craig elevated this iconic character to a whole new level, one that made him more human to a modern audience. His final movie, “No Time to Die,” was released in theaters on Oct. 8. 

This notorious role was played by multiple other actors such as Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnen, and Timothy Dalton, and each added their own unique flair to the character. When Craig took over in 2006, he had some big shoes to fill, because the pressure that was on to meet the expectations of this story’s massive following. For example, it’s because of James Bond that some people prefer their martinis shaken, not stirred. Also, everyone knows how he introduces himself to others; “My name is Bond. James Bond.” His clothing within the movies has also affected sales within multiple companies, boosting their followings and cult status. Tom Ford, who has dressed James Bond in the past few movies, has previously come out with full collections for the public inspired by this character. James Bond no longer just exists on the big screen, and instead, has found a way into multiple societal norms. 

Considering many James Bond fans are fanatics – reading all the Ian Fleming books cover-to-cover and never missing a movie – each of these actors are famously held to a high standard. If these standards aren’t met, then, you would be letting down millions. However, fans did not have to worry because they would later realize that Craig was about to change what it means to be James Bond in the 21st century forever. 

Six decades of the James Bond franchise had a clear and important impact on the way people interact with action movies, and more specifically, action characters. Although this franchise is truly a relic of the past, something our parents or even grandparents went to the theaters to see, this story is still very much in the present. 

James Bond has grown with the generations: trying on new personas, outfits, and gadgets with every film. However, his evolution as a character was crucial for multiple reasons. He was forced to evolve, moving away from some questionably sexist and racist beginnings, and into a new life, one that holds him to a higher standard. In many ways, Craig was the impetus for this necessary transformation. Bond became more than an emotionless, “licensed-to-kill” spy; he was human now, someone who had real feelings, reactions, and experiences. Audiences could see into this character, past all those bloody fights, expensive cars, and beautiful sceneries, and understand him on a deeper level. The toxic masculinity clouding the earlier versions of Bond were somewhat lifted, revealing a man who didn’t always have to be so “manly.” 

From the first movie,  “Casino Royale,” Craig made something loud and clear: he was his own version of James Bond, and he didn’t want to be anything but himself. This authenticity carried on to his character and is what carried him through five movies with such grace. 

“No Time to Die,” Craig’s final Bond movie, does not lack action or drama. Chock-full of everything that makes these movies so iconic, “No Time to Die” also introduces some new quirks to the narrative that audiences have never seen before. There are new spies, ones that may threaten James Bond’s role in the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) in Britain. Old characters come back as well; in many ways, these people help pay homage to Daniel Craig’s legacy in the franchise. Similarly, other callbacks include personalized Aston Martin cars, fancy Tom Ford suits, and the typical gadgets from Q, the head of the research and development division of the British Secret Service. Old romantic flings come out to play, as well. All in all, James Bond seems to be fighting crime just as much as he is fighting the past. 

“James Bond,” as in both the film and the novel, was and is a once-in-a-lifetime role because these movies have informed countless other characters and movies we know and love. For this reason, when a James Bond actor makes his exit from the franchise, the directors and writers don’t give him some small goodbye. Instead, and especially for an actor like Craig, it’s grandiose. In “No Time to Die,” he went out with explosions, a few car chases, and, of course, a complicated love life. It was the most on-brand goodbye of all James Bond movies, and it was well-deserved. 

Although it’s sad to see Craig go, it also means there is now space for a new 007, one that might also, have a profound impact on the future of these movies. 

Even though it’s uncertain who will be chosen, one thing is for certain: James Bond isn’t going anywhere. Even if he looks different, he will still find a way to evolve with the times and delight audience members no matter what. When asked about 007’s future, Daniel Craig was asked by Radio Times what he thought about a female James Bond, to which he had a thought-provoking answer. 

“There should simply be better parts for women and actors of color,” Craig told Radio Times. “Why should a woman play James Bond when there should be a part just as good as James Bond, but for a woman?”

Craig makes a fair point, arguing that changing the character entirely wouldn’t necessarily make the role more modern or progressive; instead, there could be a brand-new character, made to perfectly showcase the future of females in action movies. However, the entrance of a female lead in “No Time to Die” does make audience members wonder if 007 may look a little different in the next film. 

No matter what happens, this franchise has and will continue to make a difference in the movie industry, and the legacy Daniel Craig left will live on.