In anticipation of the Spectre’s November release, the marketing campaign has stepped up their game, releasing a new poster that will surely excite James Bond fans from all generations.
Released by the official James Bond Twitter account, the poster depicts Daniel Craig’s 007 standing front and center, adorned in an impeccable white tux, and wielding his always-loaded Walther PPK – replete with silencer. Pinned to his jacked is a black rose, possibly symbolic of the idea that death will play a major role in Spectre, and that Bond is still coping with the losses he suffered in his last outing, Skyfall. At his back is the gorgeous new Bond girl Madeleine Swann – portrayed by Lea Seydoux, most notable for her femme fatale performance in 2011’s Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol – and in the background is an ominous image of a man in a skull mask and bowler hat. It may be a new actor and a high definition photograph, but if someone from the 1960's saw this poster, they would most certainly know that Spectre is a 007 adventure.
Despite all of the exploration of the 007 mythos in Daniel Craig’s last few outings, the poster for the upcoming Spectre seems to indicate a return to form – at least stylistically. The image of Bond standing in his white tux, casually holding his signature weapon invokes numerous – and all equally famous – images of the Sean Connery’s 007 from the 1960’s.
Although there are no confirmed plot connections of any sort, the ominous skull visage in the background also harkens back to the villain Baron Samedi from Roger Moore’s Live and Let Die, while the bowler hat atop its head instantly reminds us of the iconic henchman Oddjob. This figure could possibly be revealed as a disguised Mr. Hinx (Dave Bautista) arguably the first henchman faced by Daniel Craig’s 007 who embodies the outlandish nature of the franchise’s past right hand men.
The Daniel Craig era took the James Bond franchise in a decidedly new, modern direction when Casino Royale hit theaters back in 2006. His iteration of the iconic British secret agent has tackled much darker tones, and generally delved much deeper into the emotional and psychological state of the hero. Skyfall even gave audiences a rare glimpse into Bond’s childhood – something that Spectre will expand on, based on what we can glean from the trailer.
There has been a great deal of controversy surrounding the Bond franchise in recent weeks. Former 007 Pierce Brosnan openly stated that he supports the possibility of a gay James Bond at some point in the near future, while writer Anthony Horowitz made headlines when he declared that black actor Idris Elba was "too street" for the role. If Daniel Craig’s tenure as the suave, martini-drinking spy has taught us anything, it’s that while the franchise may evolve over time, it will never forget its roots that began all the way back in 1962.
