Monica Bellucci returning could be a new Bond tradition
Recently, there have been rumors that Monica Belluci (presumably as Lucia) might return for Bond 25.
According to both the Hollywood Reporter and Variety, Bellucci and her agent chose to neither confirm nor deny the possibility of a return. This suggests that the prospect is being considered, and from our perspective at Eye on Bond, that’s exciting.
The precedent of Sylvia Trench
First, some context for this. The idea of Bond having a semi-regular girlfriend he returns to was there at the beginning. Dr.No introduced us to Sylvia Trench (Eunice Gayson). She showed up again in From Russia With Love, establishing that her and James Bond have been seeing each other casually.
Live Feed
Winter is Coming
Originally, Sylvia was planned to show up in Goldfinger as well. Eon productions decided that the series would stay away from long-term love interests. Fighting SPECTRE became the continuity arches that linked the first seven James Bond movies together. After that, continuity between movies became a vague and loose thing indeed.
Monica Bellucci coming back gives EON exciting possibilities
Casino Royale changed all that. Quantum of Solace was all about Bond healing and reorienting himself from the wounds of Casino Royale. Bond was fighting an international conspiracy again. The series embraced tighter continuity again.
Daniel Craig will return. Bond 25 (and possibly 26) have committed themselves to capping off everything the 007 series has done with Craig. Why not bring Lucia back?
Monica Bellucci is still an attractive women. She was originally considered to play a Bond girl back in 1996 (for Tomorrow Never Dies). The fact that she actually got the chance to be a Bond woman nearly 20 years later was kismet. To get the chance to be an even bigger part of the franchise would be a bafflingly wonderful thing.
21st century Bond can add new traditions
Bond has not remained static. Like a forest or a city, the 007 franchise has grown and changed. If we want the series to continue to be healthy, it makes sense that we should allow the producers freedom to create new traditions when they can benefit from them.
Do you know what would be really thrilling? If both her and Lea Seydoux came back for Bond 25, and for them to get the chance to interact with each other. Even if Lucia wasn’t trying drive a wedge between 007 and Madeline, having both of them meet would open many avenues for drama. It could be even cooler if Lucia had thrown her lot in more deeply with Spectre, and James had to confront her.
Admittedly, this is all built on rumours on what could be. I still feel that having Monica Bellucci return to the Bond franchise could add exciting new possibilities to the franchise. This is also true for Lea Seydoux. The idea that both male and female characters could return to the franchise when someone has a story to tell with them again.
What do you think? Do you want Monica Bellucci to come back? I’m looking forward to reading your comments, and as always thank you for reading.