James Bond’s next film needs to bring back a classic element of the franchise that Daniel Craig’s era of the series never really leaned into. The James Bond franchise has been going strong for over fifty years, and in that time, it’s been reimagined and redirected several times. The campy sci-fi adventures of Roger Moore’s Moonraker feel very different from the more brutal edges of Casino Royale. This speaks to the timeless appeal and adaptability of the character, even as some elements are downplayed in certain eras.
I really love the Daniel Craig James Bond movies, especially Casino Royale. However, I was always disappointed with the way the films ignored some of the more entertaining trends of previous entries in the series. In particular, it frustrated me that Daniel Craig’s era lacked the memorable minor villains that helped make movies like Goldfinger and GoldenEye so great. With James Bond’s future in flux, here’s why Amazon MGM Studios needs to bring back the trend of giving James Bond distinct and dangerous minor villains.
I Miss James Bond Movies Having Memorable Minor Baddies
With the upcoming James Bond 26, Amazon MGM has the chance to bring back memorable minor villains to a series that’s been tragically bereft of them in recent years. The James Bond films have always needed to throw scores of henchmen and goons at the secret agent, justifying the litany of action set-pieces that the character survived over the years.
The most memorable of these minor antagonists have taken on a life of their own, becoming some of the most iconic parts of their respective movies. Goldfinger’s Oddjob, A View to Kill’s May Day, Mr. Wint and Mr. Kidd from Diamonds Are Forever, and Xenia Onatopp from GoldenEye all brought distinct energy to their respective films.
Jaws was such a memorable challenge for Bond that he was brought back after The Spy Who Loved Me for another face-off with Bond in Moonraker. These minor baddies might not be the villains driving the plot, but their unique qualities, distinct personalities, and dangerous skill sets made them entertaining additions that expanded the setting in fun ways.
By contrast, the Daniel Craig era of James Bond films didn’t feature nearly as many memorable minor villains. They’re either relatively basic traitors like Max Denbigh/C in Spectre and Logan Ash in No Time to Die, or one-note threats like Quantum of Solace’s General Medrano.
The most memorable minor villain in Craig’s Bond movies is Mr. White, who comes across more as a general franchise tease than posing any uniquely memorable danger. This might be because of the greater focus on grounded stories in Craig’s era. The villains are given a lot more overt motivation, like Le Chiffre in Casino Royale or Raoul Silva in Skyfall.
Those were villains who had the unique physical qualities that would usually go to a memorable henchmen, keeping the focus on their plans and role as a foil to Bond. The cost was that these movies didn’t really have room for a memorable minor villain anymore, with some of the best in this era being largely forgettable threats like Primo in No Time to Die.
This fits the general tonal change in Daniel Craig’s James Bond films, which lacked much of the camp or absurd touches that always added a bit of chaotic fun to previous James Bond movies. These minor villains were some of the most memorable aspects of their respective movies, making their loss a genuine blow to the franchise.
The Next James Bond Should Bring Back Memorable Mini-Bosses
The next James Bond movie has a great chance to rewrite the future of the franchise, bringing in a distinct medley of elements from previous movies to make something that feels fresh. One of the previous elements, the next entry in the series that needs to be brought back is the memorable henchmen.
For one thing, it would give Bond potentially compelling antagonists who could survive the events of their respective films, similar to Jaws. This could help transform them into breakout characters in their own right. This approach could also reintroduce a bit more bombastic character designs and concepts to the movies, helping distinguish them from Craig’s Bond era.
Amazon MGM is likely looking at the history of the James Bond franchise while charting out its possible future, and the memorable minor villains are a key aspect of the series that’s been missing from recent entries. A modern answer to Oddjob or Xenia could be a great way to flesh out the future world of James Bond.
Giving James Bond memorable henchmen to combat is a great way to raise the stakes of any adventure, giving Bond someone harder to defeat than the countless nameless minions he dispatches in every movie. It also ensures the movies have a bit more personality and memorable elements. James Bond 26 needs to bring back the best element of the franchise that Craig’s era dropped.
