Professor James Chapman, author of Licence To Thrill: A Cultural History of the James Bond Films, joins The 007 Files to talk about Bond, film history, and the stories that attach themselves to 007.He begins with his own route into Bond: the films he first saw, how they landed at the time, and how that early interest eventually became serious work on the series. From there, the discussion moves into the way Bond has been written about, remembered and sometimes misremembered.One example is the old story that Dr. No was, at one stage, going to feature the villain as a monkey. It is exactly the kind of detail that gets passed around because it sounds too strange to lose. Chapman explains why access to the archives matters. Without the drafts, memos and correspondence, it is too easy for a colourful anecdote to become the accepted version of events.The episode also covers Harry Saltzman’s influence, the early shape of cinematic Bond, and why the first film could so easily have gone in a very different direction. Where to find usProfessor James Chapmanhttps://amzn.to/4xnYFH0Bill Koenig⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Javi Trujillo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/javitru.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/the⁠bondisnotenough⁠⁠⁠David Leigh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Recorded in the UK, USA and Spain on 8th June 2026.

In this episode of The 007 Files, Javi Trujillo and Bill Koenig talk to Kim Sherwood about her Double O trilogy and the world she created around a missing James Bond.Kim discusses her own route into Bond, from first watching Pierce Brosnan on television to seeing Die Another Day as her first Bond film on the big screen. She also remembers reading From Russia, With Love at the age of 12, being struck by Ian Fleming’s style even though much of the book went over her head at the time.The conversation looks at how Kim approached writing Bond without simply copying Fleming. She explains how she built a post-Fleming Bond world for the modern age, with new Double O agents stepping into the spotlight and contemporary threats such as climate change, disinformation, AI surveillance and global instability forming part of the background.Kim also talks about her first edition Bond books, the creation of her Double O agents, and how their names came about, including how handwriting a letter to the original Joanna Harwood paid off dividends. She discusses the way she used Fleming’s own work, hidden threads from the books, and legacy characters such as Felix Leiter while still giving the trilogy its own shape.There is plenty here on research and process too, from planning the books visually on huge sheets of paper to looking into military trauma, real Russian hotels and the wider geopolitical mood shaped by events such as Brexit and Afghanistan.Kim also talks about the value of saying your ambitions out loud. Her own crazy dream was to write James Bond — and sometimes, telling people what you really want to do can pay off.Where to find usKim Sherwoodhttps://www.kimsherwoodauthor.com/Bill Koenig⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Javi Trujillo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/javitru.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/the⁠bondisnotenough⁠⁠Recorded in the UK and USA on 1st June 2026 .

What does it really take to put on a Bond music tour? This episode breaks down the reality behind successfully performing James Bond soundtracks live—covering the cost, logistics, creative challenges and risks most audiences never see. A Bond music tour looks effortless on stage. In reality, it’s a constant balancing act between ambition and survival. Warren Ringham, founder of Q The Music, explains how the project evolved from a function band into a dedicated Bond concert experience—and why that transition nearly failed. The conversation strips away the illusion and shows how fragile it can be.The episode also digs into the technical side: how you take orchestral James Bond scores and adapt them for a smaller live band without losing impact. That challenge sits at the heart of the show’s identity. Alongside that comes the broader reality of sustaining a niche live act, including surviving major setbacks.At the other end of that journey are the highs: performing at the memorial for Roger Moore and building a working relationship with Bond composer David Arnold. You’ll come away with a better understanding of what it actually takes to put on a Bond music tour, from the financial and logistical pressures that sit behind every performance to the realities of sustaining a live show over time. The episode explains how large-scale orchestral James Bond scores are adapted for a smaller band without losing their impact, and why that process can be more complex than it appears.Alongside that, you’ll see how the band built credibility within the Bond world, what audiences respond to most when hearing Bond music performed live, and how those reactions shape the show itself.Where to find usWarren Ringhamhttps://qthemusicshow.com/Bill Koenig⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Javi Trujillo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/javitru.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/the⁠bondisnotenough⁠⁠David Leigh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Recorded in the UK, USA and Spain on 7th May 2026.

No Bond 26 update at CinemaCon—no cast, no release date, no production news. So what does that actually tell us?In this episode of The 007 Files, Javi Trujillo, Bill Koenig and David Leigh break down the lack of a Bond 26 update at CinemaCon—and explain why it isn’t a cause for concern.The key question driving this episode is simple: why was there no real news about the next James Bond film at CinemaCon? Amazon MGM referenced Bond during their presentation, but there was no cast announcement, no release date, and no production update. Instead, film chief Courtenay Valenti emphasised that the studio is taking its time with Bond 26. We examine what was actually said, what was left unsaid, and why that absence of detail is exactly what you should expect at this stage of development. With Denis Villeneuve attached to direct and Steven Knight writing the script, the project remains firmly in development rather than pre-production. We also explore when Villeneuve might realistically shift focus from Dune 3 to Bond, and what that means for the film’s progress.The episode also covers the wider James Bond landscape beyond the films. We discuss the announcement of Charlie Higson’s new novel King Zero, including the UK launch event and the way Ian Fleming Publications handled the press rollout. This leads into a broader look at the current state of literary Bond, where multiple authors—including Kim Sherwood and Raymond Benson—are contributing to different strands of the 007 universe. What does it mean to have overlapping continuities, and how does that affect the identity of James Bond in print?We also look at 007: First Light, including the title track by Lana Del Rey (written with David Arnold), the score recorded at Abbey Road Studios, and the game’s approach to the Bond theme—echoing Casino Royale by treating it as something that is earned over time rather than introduced immediately.Finally, we cover recent James Bond soundtrack releases from La La Land Records, including Diamonds Are Forever on CD and the upcoming The Man with the Golden Gun vinyl, along with a related interview for those interested in Bond music and film scores.This episode answers key questions Bond fans are asking right now.If you want analysis that focuses on what actually matters—rather than headlines and speculation—this episode breaks down where James Bond stands now and what to watch next.Where to find usBill Koenig⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Javi Trujillo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/javitru.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/the⁠bondisnotenough⁠David Leigh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Recorded in the USA and Spain on 22nd April 2026.

The Ian Fleming Foundation, founded more than 30 years ago, is evolving. It's still known for its collection of vehicles and props that have appeared in James Bond films. The foundation is involved in other activities, including scholarships. The group also is dedicated to keeping the memory of Ian Fleming alive. Alan J. Porter, the foundation president, chats with the hosts of The 007 Files, sharing insights into the meticulous restoration of Bond vehicles and how these efforts support the Foundation's goals. Discover the strategic growth plans and community engagement initiatives that are helping the Foundation adapt to changes in the Bond franchise. Learn how the legacy of Ian Fleming continues to influence modern culture and open doors for new generations.Watch a brief video tour of some of the foundation's vehicle collection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8EO66CtKJ8Where to find usAlan J. Porterhttps://alanjporter.wordpress.com/The Ian Fleming Foundationhttps://ianflemingfoundation.org/Bill Koenig⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Javi Trujillo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/javitru.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/the⁠bondisnotenoughDavid Leigh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Recorded in the USA and Spain on 2nd April 2026.

In this episode, 007GB president Mark Wooldridge joins us to explore the world of James Bond fandom — from the unique role Britain plays in Bond culture to the global community that surrounds it.We discuss the origins and growth of the 007GB fan club, rare Bond memorabilia and collectibles, and the ongoing appeal of the franchise across generations. The conversation also covers Bond music, brand partnerships like Omega, and what the current state of development means for Bond 26.If you’re interested in the deeper ecosystem around James Bond — beyond the films themselves — this episode offers a clear, informed perspective.Where to find usMark Wooldridgehttps://www.youtube.com/@ViewsFromMark007GBhttps://007gb.co.ukBill Koenig⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Javi Trujillo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/javitru.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/theDavid Leigh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Recorded in the USA, UK and Spain on 24th March 2026.

What does Amazon’s control of James Bond really mean for the future of 007?In this episode of The 007 Files, hosts Bill Koenig and David Leigh are joined by Fangoria editor-in-chief Phil Nobile Jr. to explore the hopes and fears surrounding the Amazon era of the James Bond franchise — and what the shift from family stewardship to corporate ownership could mean for cinema’s most enduring spy series.Phil reflects on an article he wrote in July 2017 suggesting that the Broccoli family might one day sell the franchise after one more film — remarkably prescient as it turns out.The conversation examines both the risks and the opportunities facing 007. While many fans fear increased corporate interference and the direction Amazon's Bond might take, another possibility emerges: that 007 may represent only a tiny part of Amazon’s vast business, potentially allowing filmmakers greater creative freedom rather than less.A major theme of the discussion is modern villainy. Phil argues that the real threat posed by artificial intelligence is not science-fiction imagery or killer robots, but something far more human — power, influence, and economic manipulation driven by powerful tech interests. In that sense, AI may offer fertile ground for a contemporary Bond story rooted in present-day anxieties rather than Cold War nostalgia.Together, the discussion looks at where Bond stands now, what might change in the years ahead, and what fans should realistically hope for — or worry about — as 007 enters its next chapter.Where to find usPhil Nobile Jr.https://bsky.app/profile/philnobilejr.bsky.socialBill Koenig⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠David Leigh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Recorded in the USA and Spain on 10th February 2026.

Season 4 of The 007 Files begins with a look ahead at what 2026 could mean for Bond 26 — from script progress and casting expectations to the real-world challenges shaping the next James Bond film.In this episode, we examine where Bond 26 actually stands today, separating confirmed developments from speculation and media narratives surrounding the future of 007 under Amazon MGM.What should Bond fans realistically expect this year? Is casting likely in 2026? And how much of the online conversation reflects reality rather than rumour?Where to find usBill Koenig⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Javi Trujillo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/javitru.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebondisnotenough/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠David Leigh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Recorded in the USA and Spain on 20th January 2026.

This is part three of our three-episode examination of Goldeneye. Bill Koenig, Javi Trujillo, and David Leigh start with Goldeneye 007, a game that didn’t merely succeed but rewired expectations. It showed what a film tie-in could be, helped define the console shooter, and introduced an entire generation to James Bond through split-screen multiplayer rather than cinema screens.From there, the discussion turns to Pierce Brosnan. With distance, his Bond successfully carried the franchise through the post–Cold War vacuum and restored Bond’s cultural relevance in the 1990s. Related to that is how fans appear to have cooled towards Daniel Craig’s Bond in the years since No Time to Die. Martin Campbell’s role is examined, as is that of Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli as Cubby handed over the reigns.Where to find us:Bill Koenig⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Javi Trujillo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/javitru.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebondisnotenough/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠David Leigh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Recorded in the USA and Spain on 20th January 2026

In this episode of The 007 Files, the hosts continue their discussion on revisit Goldeneye, the film that didn’t just reintroduce James Bond, but quietly rescued the franchise from irrelevance. They look at the change to Leavesden Studios and the symbolic shift away from Pinewood Studios, mirroring Bond’s own need to evolve after the Cold War.They explore the cultural shockwave of casting Judi Dench as M, the uneasy question of whether Bond had become a Cold War relic, Jack Wade and why Felix Leiter was absent. There’s also a close look at Bond’s changing image through cars and brands, from the BMW Z3 to the return of the DB5, and the long-lasting partnership with Omega.Where to find us:Bill Koenig⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Javi Trujillo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/javitru.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebondisnotenough/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠David Leigh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Recorded in the USA and Spain on 10th December 2025