How do you celebrate James Bond Day when you don't know who the next 007 will be?

"It's James Bond Day this Sunday, if you didn't know 5 October is now a celebration of all things 007, thanks to this being the date of the world premiere of Dr No, the very first Bond film, starring Sean Connery, in 1962. Imagine it as a bit like Star Wars Day, with fewer Wookiees and Ewoks and a whole lot more tuxedoed swagger."

"This year though, the advent of JBD (as no one has ever called it) is bit of a damp squib. It hasn't been that long since Denis Villeneuve was announced as the director of the next Bond film (June, in fact) and even less time since Peaky Blinders' Steven Knight was hired to write the script. But there's been little to no sign since then of the new 007 actually being revealed, and even less sense of where this venerable franchise is going next."

"All we have are whisperings on the wind via the Hollywood trades to the effect that the film-makers will be looking for a relatively youthful (in his 20s or 30s) Brit, who could be a person of colour but is not going to be a woman, a franchise star, or anyone we've vaguely heard of. This is, of course, disappointing news for the hordes of online bookmakers who have been making a pretty penny for months now"

James Bond Day falls on 5 October, the date of the world premiere of Dr No in 1962. Denis Villeneuve has been announced as director of the next Bond film and Steven Knight as screenwriter, but no casting for the new 007 has been revealed. Industry reports suggest filmmakers seek a relatively youthful Brit in his 20s or 30s who could be a person of colour, but will not be a woman, franchise star, or a familiar name. Online bookmakers have been frustrated by the lack of confirmation after months of speculation. The franchise previously cast unknowns, notably George Lazenby in 1969 and Sean Connery before Dr No.

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