When the James Bond film “No Time to Die” was released, it was the final film for actor Daniel Craig as Bond but would there be another Bond or Bond film?

The rumours have been flying ever since with speculations on who would take over the role as 007 James Bond.

While the new Bond is still unknown, there is a draft for the next film, but it isn’t what many fans may be expecting…

While over the 25 Bond films, there was one thing fans could depend on…with more lives than a cat, he would return.

The next film may still be in limbo; but the gaming company IO Interactive has revealed their plans for the next Bond installment with “007 First Light”.  But this time it’s different.  IO is taking gamers back to the beginning…before “Casino Royale” when Bond was just James Bond, no 00 status. M, Q, and cast are all new.

IO Interactive is the company behind the “Hitman” series.

In an interview with “Rolling Stone” magazine, IO Interactive spoke on creating the Bond world saying, “when we were thinking about how to approach this, we tried to create some pillars to be our North Star.  One of the pillars was high-octane action — you know, cinematic experience, kinetic combat, exotic vehicles.”

IO continued, “there are certain things that are very strong [points] for the ‘Hitman’ experience: the simulator, the open world, the freedom, right? But not vehicles, and not necessarily action.  So, one of the pillars was [that] we really need to push more freeform, dynamic hand-to-hand combat. Seamless, going into ranged combat, aware of your environments. Everything is a weapon and opportunity. Creativity and dynamism [are] a part of this. Obviously, upping our capabilities with the cinematics and [what] we call the spectacle moments, because there’s larger than life action pieces in Bond — to be able to depict that sweaty palm experience as well.”

IO Interactive explains, “it’s [coming] to the exotic places, these extreme VIP places where mere mortals like you and me maybe don’t get to [go] every day and have gameplay there.  I think this is what we do differently from many other studios. It’s not only about the bang bang and the vroom, but it’s also about having gameplay in social spaces and trespassing spaces where you can use your gadgets in a different way, and you can use your charm, use your wits in solving these puzzles — or solving people, really.”

In creating their Bond, IO Interactive noted, “this Bond is not a super polished diamond. He’s not well-versed with his [tuxedos]; definitely not well-versed with the martinis yet.  He’s a rough diamond. And it’s this young man with his inner ethos. It’s a young man that sometimes is maybe reckless, and it’s a young man that maybe doesn’t know yet when to push too much or when to stand back a bit. So, he’s learning these things the hard way being introduced to the shady, dark world of espionage.”

While young, the “First Light” story will be filled with the twist and turns Bond fans have known to expect and love.

Set for a release some time next year, IO Interactive is still working on signing the voices for the characters.

But who will play the new Bond in the film franchise is still up in the air with speculation and rumour flying faster than the Saharan dust storm; there is no hard and fast decision in the next Bond.

Earlier this year Amazon MGM Studios took over creative control of the Bond franchise with long time creators Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson stepping back after many years with the films.