Daniel Craig has finally stepped down from his role as 007 after playing the character for 15 years which has sparked the search for the next Pierce Brosnan never quite found his James Bond replacement which makes a return more enticing, and I think he deserves a chance to play the iconic agent one more time.

While it undoubtedly feels like the right time to get new blood involved in the franchise, the search for the next lead has been going on for quite some time. The difficult casting conditions for Bond 26's main actor have become a problem, as Craig announced he'd be leaving the role in 2017 and confirmed it in 2019, yet his successor still hasn't been decided. As a result, Bond 26 doesn't appear to be happening anytime soon unless an old name returns, and given Brosnan could still pull off 007, I believe he is the perfect man for the job.

James Bond 26 Revisiting An Older 007 Would Be A Refreshing Change

Returning To A Previous Bond Outside His Prime Would Be An Interesting New Direction For The Franchise

Throughout James Bond's history, changing to a new, traditionally younger actor has been common, but reverting back to Pierce Brosnan would offer a slightly fresh take on the film series. Rather than having the usual depiction of Bond in his prime, seeing him still operating in his older years could be fun, and I'd personally love to see it. Each actor always brings their own spin on the character, but we rarely get to watch 007 attempting to deal with younger assailants while clearly being a little less skilled on his feet than he used to be.

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James Bond is one of the most high-profile roles in the entertainment industry, and the two most recent occupants had a strikingly similar path.

Daniel Craig's portrayal in No Time To Die lent into this slightly, as although he wasn't super old, the movie did highlight James Bond struggling after so many years in the field, but Pierce Brosnan could go one step further. He still seems capable of providing enough action scenes to keep the movies entertaining and having the protagonist use his wisdom alongside experience to get by would provide a much-needed fresh take. James Bond may be known for its great stunts, but the franchise wouldn't have been as successful had it not been for its interesting stories and characters.

Therefore, switching things up from the traditional formula for one film is something that could work. Brosnan's portrayal of Bond is easily one of the best in the series, but it isn't his daring stunts or combat skills that made his version of the character so successful. Instead, it was his smooth charm and vibrant personality that made him memorable, and utilizing this to convey an older version of 007 sounds fun in my books.

A 007 Movie Starring Pierce Brosnan Would Give A Bigger Reset Before James Bond's Next Era

The Search For The Next James Bond Is Still Ongoing, Making Now The Perfect Time For Brosnan To Return

 Pierce Brosnan as James Bond from Die Another Day and Daniel Craig as James Bond from Skyfall
Custom image by Yailin Chacon

Although James Bond has rarely struggled with resetting the story in the past, having Bronson bridge the gap between Craig's era and the next actor would be ideal. Producing a one-off movie that allows Brosnan to provide a unique take on one of Hollywood's most recognizable characters would present more time to build toward the next movie without trying to rush it. Without a director or actor in place, it could be another few years before Bond 26 is actually ready in its current state, but getting Brosnan onboard now would help the wait between projects feel much shorter.

The Craig era may be the only set of Bond films modern audiences are used to, but Brosnan will still be a memorable face for long-term viewers, making his return the perfect stopgap before changing to a brand-new story.

In addition, the Craig era may be the only set of Bond films modern audiences are used to, but Brosnan will still be a memorable face for long-term viewers, making his return the perfect stopgap before changing to a brand-new story. The lack of updates has made James Bond 26's future worrying, but Brosnan coming back for one more run would fix most of the current problems and make setting up a successor much easier. Even if it's unlikely, the actor helping reset the franchise would be a logical next move, while giving him a deserved final outing.

Pierce Brosnan Wouldn't Even Be The First James Bond Actor To Return

Sean Connery Returned To Play James Bond After A Decade Away From The Character

Collage of Daniel Craig, Sean Connery, and Pierce Brosnan as James Bond

Pierce Brosnan's return would be a massive moment for James Bond and an extremely bold decision, but it wouldn't be the first time an actor has reprised the role. Sean Connery is often considered the greatest Bond of all time, but his time as the character was split over two decades. He was the first ever actor to depict 007 on the big screen and played him from 1962-67 before stepping away from the role. However, Connery returned four years later after George Lazenby portrayed the character and then came back once again for a final appearance in 1983.

James Bond Actor

Years Active

Sean Connery

1962-1967, 1971, 1983

George Lazenby

1969

Roger Moore

1973-1985

Timothy Dalton

1987-1989

Pierce Brosnan

1995-2002

Daniel Craig

2006-2021

Given Connery took multiple breaks from the role and was welcomed back without tarnishing his legacy, I don't see why Brosnan can't do the same. He's still a massive name, he has the right attributes to pull off an older Bond, and I'm sure fans would love to see him in the franchise for a final appearance, especially if waiting several more years for another James Bond movie is the only alternative. Whether he actually returns or not remains to be seen, but if Connery can come back, so can Brosnan, and I hope he's strongly considered for Bond 26.

No Time to Die Film Poster
Created by
Ian Fleming, Albert R. Broccoli
Films
James Bond 26

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.