Naomie Harris says No Time to Die will resolve the story from Skyfall and Spectre, but with “massive” twists. The 25th James Bond movie overall, No Time to Die will mark Daniel Craig’s fifth and final time playing Bond when it opens next year. Craig’s run on the series has been far more interconnected than Bond actors past, with the events and characters from every film having an impact on the ones that follow. This trend will continue with No Time to Die, which is already confirmed to include several familiar faces from the previous four Craig-led outings.

In addition to Harris’ Eve Moneypenny (who was introduced in Skyfall), No Time to Die will bring Ralph Fiennes back as the new ‘M’ and Léa Seydoux as Spectre’s Dr. Madeleine Swann. Jeffrey Wright is also playing CIA agent Felix Leiter for the first time since 2008’s Quantum of Solace, which suggests the movie will attempt to further bridge the gap between Casino Royale, Quantum, and Craig’s last two 007 adventures, Skyfall and Spectre. However, if Harris is to be believed, it will do so in shocking and unexpected ways.

Speaking to GQ, Harris said she read the No Time to Die script in a single go, claiming it was “fantastic” and hard to put down. She went on to tease its connections to the previous Craig-era Bond films:

Considering the film will serve as Craig’s farewell to the franchise, it only makes sense for No Time to Die to tie up the dangling threads from the last four Bond movies. Spectre was seen as something of a disappointment following the critically-acclaimed Skyfall, so the hope is that this entry sends Craig out on a higher note. This is part of the reason why there’s been so much concern surrounding the film’s behind the scenes changes, with Danny Boyle dropping out as director only to be replaced by Cary Fukunaga. It’s possible Boyle’s version of No Time to Die was more standalone and less connected to Craig’s previous Bond installments, which resulted in the creative differences that led to his departure. Based on Harris’ comments, though, that might’ve been for the best.

“It’s a tie-up of Skyfall and Spectre. But with massive, massive surprises that even had me like, ‘Oh, wow!’ So I think we’re going to really shock people.”

The Moneypenny actor isn’t the only one who’s impressed with No Time to Die’s current story, either. The film’s script was rewritten by Killing Eve and Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge after Boyle stepped down, and the movie’s producers are reportedly so pleased with her work that they’re already trying to lure her back to write James Bond 26. That alone bodes well for this brand-new installment and whatever “massive surprises” it has up its sleeves. Hopefully, audiences will feel the same way when No Time to Die arrives next spring.

Source: GQ

  • Bond 25 Release Date: 2021-10-08