It was announced this weekend that legendary James Bond director Michael Apted had passed away. The 79-year-old was best known for directing the 19th 007 film, The World Is Not Enough. The 1999 film starred Pierce Brosnan, and was the follow-up to the much-loved 1997 spy film Tomorrow Never Dies.
The director was a big Bond fan, and had previously spoken up about the state of the franchise going forward.
In an interview at the 2012 Dubai International Film Festival, Apted explained how the series has changed, and should continue to change as the franchise progresses.
He explained: “As the actor changes, so the series changes. Obviously it changed from Sean Connery to Roger Moore, then Roger Moore to Pierce [Brosnan], then Pierce to Daniel [Craig].
“It will keep changing when Daniel quits – I think that’s its longevity.”
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Apted then commented on how James Bond would not have “survived” as long as he has if things had not continued to evolve.
He continued: “It does change. If it was the same thing I don’t think it would have survived so long, if they had stuck to the same set of principles.
“This current Bond is almost nothing like the Bond I did – I think that’s terrific – and I think the tone will change again.”
With this in mind, it looks like the Bond franchise is going to change drastically in the coming years.
In just a few days Page went from 40/1 to be the next Bond to 5/1, according to Ladbrokes.
Page has inexplicably leap-frogged a number of massive Hollywood stars following his incredible popularity spike.
Not only has he overtaken the likes of Cillian Murphy and Sam Heughan, but also some big favourites, such as Henry Cavill.
He is now just behind Elba, who has a powerful 7/2, and the favourite James Norton, who has 7/4.
Ladbrokes commented on the new odds, saying: “We’ve seen plenty of interest in Rege-Jean Page off the back of Bridgerton’s success.
“And we wouldn’t be surprised to see him overtake Idris Elba, James Norton and even Top Hardy into top spot in the betting.”
James Bond No Time To Die is due out on April 2, 2021.
