James Bond 007: My Three Timelines Theory
- This article assumes a working knowledge of James Bond films*
- Updating now that I’ve seen “No Time To Die” and trying to fit it. Timeline 3 may be the least accurate due to this.
- I’m still toying with “No Time To Die” and some placements, so the article is published, but subject to change. To be honest NTTD messed up my theories a bit, so fitting Daniel’s Bond back into prior timelines is a bit trickier.
James Bond movies are my favorite series of films. I’ve spent more time than I’d like to admit daydreaming about the franchise.
A modern film franchise trend is to rely on multiple movies with unifying threads to tie them together. The Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC Universe are two examples that come to mind. Even the “Monsterverse” is beginning to take shape with Godzilla and King Kong movies. And, I’m happy to admit I’m a fan of unified cinema universes.
To my knowledge, the James Bond films were never meant to have a formal chronology (with some exceptions). Over the years, better Bond fans than I have attempted to reconcile some sort of timeline out of the films. It requires ignoring some aspects of the films, and focusing more on key characters or villains, to get a sort of viable structure. And, even then, it’s not perfect.
The “reboot” of Bond with the Daniel Craig in the starring role was really the only time that any Bond movies have had an official sequel. Though, occasionally they would call back to prior films in more of an easter egg capacity (looking at your Sheriff J.W. Pepper).
Quantum of Solace was definitely a sequel to Casino Royale in the films with Daniel Craig as Bond. But, Craig’s third outing as Bond in Skyfall, jumps ahead in time, and focuses on a separate villain and mission than the two preceding movies. Spectre then tries to unify some of the prior threads of Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, but is still not technically a direct sequel.
Is there any way to arrange a timeline of events and reconcile multiple actors playing the same characters over the span of nearly 60 years?
I definitely wanted to give it a try. And, without resorting to the “007 is just a codename” mindset. I’d like to think that it’s the same Bond, and the actors portraying him, depending on where they fall in my timelines, are just older or younger versions of the same man.
And, I made some progress once I realized …
The Character of “M” is the Key to my Timelines
I learned while browsing online one day that the character of “M”- as played by Dame Judy Dench- is actually two different female versions of the same character.
In the Bond movies starring Pierce Brosnan, she is Barbara Mawdsley, whereas in the Daniel Craig movies, she is Olivia Mansfield. Same actress, but two separate characters — in theory.
To create a timeline that felt feasible to me, I realized I should start by focusing on “M” as a character. Using the two versions of “M” that Dench played, I’ve created the first two basic film timelines.
To connect the different actors, I’ve created what I imagine to be the events transpiring when Bond himself, or “M” transitioned to a new actor. There will be some speculation present as I write in those sections.
Timelines 1 and 2 are the primary timelines I’ve developed from the Judi Dench as one of the two “M” characters (Barbara or Olivia depending).
Timeline 3 is meant to reconcile the re-introduction of Blofeld as a character in Spectre and l No Time To Die
Is it perfect? No. But, it at least gives a simple (albeit hypothetical and unofficial) explanation for the transitions of actors in the role, and allows the film orders to stand somewhat similar to their release order.
The Timelines are presented below with the recommended viewing order of the films within each, and summary explanations of how I determined where they would fall in the timeline.
Spoilers ahead — proceed with caution
NOTE: My Timelines use some hypothetical scenarios to connect the films and actors portrayed within them, that may not reflect the actual film events. They are my best attempt to imagine connecting threads to create the chronologies.
Timeline 1: Judi Dench is Olivia Mansfield “M”
Credit/Copyright: Alder Hey
Full Viewing Order:
Casino Royale (Craig)
Quantum of Solace (Craig)
Skyfall (Craig)
Doctor No (Connery)
From Russia with Love (Connery)
Goldfinger (Connery)
Thunderball (Connery)
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (Lazenby)
You Only Live Twice (Connery)
Diamonds are Forever (Connery)
Live and Let Die (Moore)
The Man with the Golden Gun (Moore)
The Spy Who Loved Me (Moore)
Moonraker (Moore)
For Your Eyes Only (Moore)
Beginnings:
Casino Royale
Quantum of Solace
Skyfall
Judi Dench portrays “M” (Olivia Mansfield) as Bond earns his Double-O status in Casino Royale. This version of “M” is a bit more motherly towards Bond, and wants to see him succeed. By time we get to Skyfall they have an amiable relationship that seems to stretch into a grey area between personal and professional. When “M” is killed at the end of Skyfall, it seems to hurt Bond more because of this dynamic.
Following the events of Skyfall, this timeline recommends traveling back to Doctor No, when Bernard Lee played “M” and Sean Connery played Bond.
Bond takes the death of “M” during the events of Skyfall hard. He works harder than ever, and earns the respect, (if not occasional irritation) of the new “M”- played by Bernard Lee. In this theoretical timeline, the version of Bond we see Sean Connery portray in Doctor No, is the Bond of Casino Royale with a few more missions under his belt, and some age.
Agents of S.P.E.C.T.R.E.
Doctor No
From Russia with Love
Goldfinger
Thunderball
Bond’s missions under the new “M” bring him into contact with the organization S.P.E.C.T.R.E. Though initially he is dealing more with henchmen than the main power behind the organization.
The Blofeld Trilogy
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
You Only Live Twice
Diamonds are Forever
In Thunderball, we got a glimpse of Blofeld as the head of S.P.E.C.T.R.E. For the sake of the timeline here we do a bit of adjusting by putting On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (OHMSS) in front of You Only Live Twice. This helps reconcile the issue of Blofeld not recognizing Bond in OHMSS. The actor swap from Connery to Lazenby to Connery will have to be forgiven, but as far as villains and plot the flow works with this adjustment. These three films now make up our first timeline’s primary trilogy with Blofeld as the main villain.
The death of Bond’s wife in OHMSS and Blofeld’s escape in You Only Live Twice take a toll on Bond. After spending some time off in Japan, he resumes his work. Bond eventually meets up with Blofeld again when old emotions rise to the surface and he begins looking for revenge again. Though Blofeld appears to escape, he has lost initiative, and plans to quietly live somewhere without new evil plans. Bond allows it. Though initially angry and seeking revenge, Blofeld has been missing long enough now that Bond’s demeanor softens, and he’s more prone to the occasional wisecrack. This is a defense mechanism to help hide the inner turmoil he still feels over Tracy’s loss, and deep down he hasn’t given up on finding Blofeld. While looking for Blofeld, Bond runs up against a number of other villains. This humor as a defense mechanaism to hide personal tragedy will help explain the more light-hearted nature of the Bond played by Roger Moore in subsequent films on this timeline.
Post Blofeld Villains
Live and Let Die (Kananga)
The Man with the Golden Gun (Scaramanga)
The Spy Who Loved Me (Stromberg)
Moonraker (Drax)
Roger Moore is now playing the slightly more light hearted, but still skilled James Bond that we left in Diamonds are Forever. He takes on various missions, still reporting to the same “M” played by Bernard Lee, culminating in a trip to outer space. Following Bond’s return to earth in Moonraker, Blofeld decides it’s time to reveal himself again. He sets a trap to catch 007 in a location he knows he will find him at least once a year. Tracy’s grave.
Blofeld’s End
For Your Eyes Only
Bond finally gets his revenge on Blofeld, dropping him into a smokestack with the helicopter meant to kill him (though the film itself doesn’t acknowledge that this villain as Blofeld due to a rights issue, it’s clear who he is meant to represent). With the Blofeld saga concluded, Bond gets involved in his next mission, which pushes him to his physical limits. His near fatal fall while rock climbing to the hideout of Kristatos, lets him know it’s time to take a break.
Sadly, Bernard Lee, who played “M” died in real life, and was not featured in For Your Eyes Only. So, for my first timeline, we can assume “M” and “Bond” both stepped down, or were replaced, following the events of For Your Eyes Only.
This ends Timeline 1.
Timeline 2: Judi Dench is Barbara Mawdsley “M”
Full Viewing Order
Goldeneye (Brosnan)
Tomorrow Never Dies (Brosnan)
The World is Not Enough (Brosnan)
Die Another Day (Brosnan)
The Living Daylights (Dalton)
License to Kill (Dalton)
Octopussy (Moore)
A View to a Kill (Moore)
Beginnings:
Goldeneye (Brosnan)
Tomorrow Never Dies (Brosnan)
The World is Not Enough (Brosnan)
Die Another Day (Brosnan)
Judi Dench as Barbara Mawdsley “M” is not friendly to Bond (Pierce Brosnan), and seems put off by his casual demeanor and playboy ways. He proves himself on missions, but by the time 007 is tortured in North Korea in Die Another Day, she is very close to disavowing him. She seems less than thrilled by the trade they make to get him out. Despite proving himself and completing his mission in Die Another Day, Barbara “M” is fed up and decides to retire as head of the Double-O section.
“M” — as played by Robert Brown — now steps into the role. Though he is not seen in Die Another Day, for the purpose of this timeline, we assume he is the replacement after Barbara “M” departure.
As an aside, Q’s absence in Die Another Day could be simply a vacation, and “R” is covering for him. By The Living Daylights, we see Desmond Llewelyn’s “Q” back where he should be.
This is again hypothetical to fit the timelines, as the real reason Desmond Llewelyn was not in Die Another Day was due to his passing. His final appearance in a James Bond film was in The World is Not Enough.
A Rough Patch
The Living Daylights
License to Kill
Pierce Brosnan’s Bond is hardened by the events around his torture, and “M” not backing him up, even though he did not crack under pressure. He becomes a bit more jaded and short tempered now as he transforms into Timothy Dalton as Bond. The new “M” (Robert Brown) doesn’t trust 007 yet, and sends all Double-Os back to a training exercise in Gibralter, which begins the events of The Living Daylights.
After the events in License to Kill with Felix Leiter and Santos, Bond sets his mind on revenge. “M”, still uncertain if Bond can function as a government agent instead of someone out for vengeance, revokes Bond’s License to Kill. Bond gets away and continues his mission against Santos.
For Timeline 2, in these films, Q is refreshed from his vacation (Between The World is Not Enough and Die Another Day), and ready for action again. He gets quite excited about helping 007 in the field with gadgets, and seems almost disappointed when he’s no longer needed.
Further Missions
Octopussy
A View to a Kill
The torture from Die Another Day is still weighing on Bond years later, and the job has hit too close to home with the maiming of Felix. But, as time goes on, and the missions become simpler, he softens up, and begins to regain some of the humor of his former days (as Pierce Brosnan). The quips begin to come more easily, as he turns into Roger Moore for a couple more outings.
Bond is now a master of disguise, and capable of diarming bombs. Robert Brown’s “M” has learned to trust Bond’s instincts and is less prone to questioning him if the job gets done. But, by time Bond saves San Francisco from Max Zorin, his age is showing, and he decides it’s time to retire.
This ends the chronology of Timeline 2.
(Unofficial Timeline 2 Film continuation — optional)
Never Say Never Again (Connery)
Bond’s retirement hadn’t lasted long when a new “M” (Edward Fox) calls him back into action. But, based on his physical fitness (and likely some jealousy at Bond’s years of experience compared to his own short tenure as “M”) he sends him off to the health center to recuperate. As Never Say Never Again was basically an unofficaial remake of Thunderball, some parallels with that movie’s events can be drawn, though for our purposes, it was a totally different timeline and Bond. After completing another mission (as Sean Connery aged from Roger Moore’s Bond in A View to a Kill), he finally retires for good. That ends Timeline 2 — Alternate ending.
Timeline 3: Ralph Fiennes as “M” -The Alternate Blofeld Timeline
Full Viewing Order
Spectre (Craig)
No Time to Die (Craig)
For my timelines theory, the Events in Spectre are an entirely new timeline, and set of characters. No Time to Die picks up where Spectre events left off. Though we know Madeline’s father, Mr. White, existed in prior Daniel Craig movies, for the purpose of this third timeline, we’ll leave that alone. Bond meets, loves, and loses Madeline all in the span of two movies, and ends his service a hero, having saved the world from certain doom with Safin eliminated, though at great personal sacrifice to himself. Knowing he is now infected with Safin’s virus, and can never physically touch Madeline or Mathilde, he opts to sacrifice himself to stop Safin’s plan. This ends Timeline 3 and Bond. Madeline tells Mathilde the story of “James Bond” as they drive away, possibly setting up a future in which he is remembered more as myth than man.
Final Thoughts
My Three Timelines Theory was a fun excercise in trying to come up with a feasible chronology based on characters and events in the Bond franchise. Basing them first around the actors who played “M” worked best, as it allowed the two Judi Dench versions of “M” to contain the majority of the Bond films between their two timelines. Though, admittedly it makes my 3rd timeline feel like filler. The newer depiction of Blofeld and his backstory in Spectre are what caused the need to split it off from the Blofeld in Timeline 1 and the majority of Bond films.
The idea of a chronology to the James Bond films requires suspension of disbelief because it is like fitting together puzzle pieces from different puzzle boxes trying to make cohesive pictures. But, as a fan of the series, it was something fun about which to think while waiting on the perpetually delayed No Time to Die to release.
Thanks for coming along for the ride. You can feel like a hardcore Bond fan now that you’ve invested the time to read speculative fan theories.
Feel free to comment or let me know if any of it actually holds up, or falls apart completely.
