James Bond actors have a habit of coming back.
While most fans associate 007 with long, uninterrupted runs, the franchise’s history includes several surprising returns. Sean Connery famously reclaimed the role after George Lazenby stepped away following On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969), while the Scottish actor later returned once again in Never Say Never Again (1983).
Because of that history, some fans aren’t convinced Daniel Craig’s time as Bond is truly over.
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Craig’s final appearance came in No Time to Die (2021), which delivered one of the most shocking moments in franchise history by killing off 007.
Unlike previous Bond exits, there was little ambiguity. The character is caught in a missile strike and later confirmed dead, seemingly closing the door on any future return.
Yet Bond’s history shows that replacing an actor has never necessarily prevented a comeback. And that precedent has led some fans to wonder whether Craig could one day return in a similar fashion, even if another actor takes over first.
The timing of the discussion is particularly interesting because Amazon MGM Studios is now preparing the next chapter of the franchise.
Dune (2021) director Denis Villeneuve is attached to helm the upcoming film, while Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight is writing the screenplay. The project is expected to introduce a new actor as James Bond and launch a brand-new era for the character.
Meanwhile, audiences have already been introduced to a new Bond elsewhere. IO Interactive’s newly released game 007 First Light stars Patrick Gibson as a younger incarnation of the spy, complete with a new origin story and supporting cast.
Whether Craig ever returns remains uncertain. But while No Time to Die may have delivered Bond’s most definitive on-screen death, franchise history suggests that in the world of 007, departures are rarely as permanent as they first appear.
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