James Bond

James Bond — Agent 007, licensed to kill — is the most iconic spy in fiction. Created by Ian Fleming in 1953’s Casino Royale, Bond has been portrayed by six actors on the big screen, each bringing their own interpretation to the tuxedo: Sean Connery’s lethal charm, George Lazenby’s vulnerability, Roger Moore’s wit, Timothy Dalton’s intensity, Pierce Brosnan’s polish, and Daniel Craig’s raw emotional depth. This section explores the character of James Bond himself — his literary origins in Fleming’s twelve novels and two short story collections, how the films adapted and reinvented him across six decades, and what makes 007 endure while other action heroes fade. You’ll find the complete actor chronology, comparisons of each era’s interpretation, and analysis of how Bond reflects the changing world around him. As the franchise prepares for its seventh Bond under Amazon MGM Studios — with Denis Villeneuve directing Bond 26 — the question of what James Bond means in the modern era has never been more fascinating. Start here to understand the past, and stay for what’s coming next.