Three years after No Time to Die, and James Bond still hasnt returned.
There is satisfaction to be had in his absence.
Aye, there has been the rub about updating Bond for decades though.
If anythings significantly changed, its that they have made the volume even rarer.
Increasingly, their 007 franchise resembles a bespoke, prestige label which is deliberately keeping its supply limited.
The plots, of course, were rarely the point.
Thats refreshing to think about in 2024.
When it started, that was a novelty too.
Star Wars fans were over the moon about the first season ofThe Mandalorianbeing part of Disney+s maiden voyage.
They were ecstatic aboutThe MandalorianSeason 2 as well.
The actual third season ofMando, meanwhile, came and went, as did the genuinely superbAndor.
Previously, the gap between Star Wars movies in this century ran the gamut of three to 10 years.
But now there was a new one nearly every Christmas.
That phenomenon happened twice inside of a decade to the DC brand.
The studio pivoted, awkwardly and unevenly.
By then, however, it was too late to not release four more back-to-back bombs in 2023.
That burnout even became comedy fodder in Marvels biggest hit in years,Deadpool & Wolverine.
Welcome to the MCU, Ryan Reynolds quips to Hugh Jackman.
Youre joining at a bit of a low point.
My audiences cackled because they seemed to agree.
Hence the parent company promising investors theyre cuttingthe number of expected Disney+ Marvel showsin half.
Its a formula that is closely guarded and refined by a family with a vested interest in its popularity.
By keeping it scarce, they have also kept it special and frankly refreshing.
By the time a new actor makes his debut, at least a half-decade will have gone by.
To paraphrase a Soviet assassin once played by Famke Janssen, This time, Mr.
Bond, the pleasure will be all ours.
