Former James Bond costume designer Jany Temime has raised concerns about the challenge of successfully rebooting the iconic spy thriller franchise for today’s era. Temime, who worked on Sam Mendes’ acclaimed 2012 and 2015 Bond films Skyfall and Spectre, was not involved in No Time To Die (2021), the last installment starring Daniel Craig.
Describing the collaboration between Mendes, Craig, and producer Barbara Broccoli as the “Golden Trio,” Temime praised their two Bond films as “amazing gems.” However, she noted that adapting James Bond to the modern world is increasingly difficult. “He tried his best with a lot of psychology, talent and his incredible quality as a director… but we are 10 years later,” she said.
Temime questioned how the traditional Bond formula — a man who kills, romances women, drinks martinis, and whose female counterparts often meet tragic ends — could fit into 2025’s social and cultural climate. She said, “I’m really wondering how you can adapt that formula to 2025.”
This commentary follows the recent announcement that Dune director Denis Villeneuve will helm the next Bond film, marking the first production under Amazon MGM Studios after the Broccoli family ceded control. Temime expressed strong confidence in the new leadership, praising producer David Heymann as “talented, clever, and brilliant,” and expressing optimism about Villeneuve’s involvement.
Regarding the casting of the next Bond, Temime declined to suggest actors, emphasizing that the decision depends on the creative direction of the franchise.
Beyond Bond, Temime’s extensive career includes work on In Bruges, Gravity, Judy, Passengers, Black Widow, and House of the Dragon. She recently received the Etoile award at the SCAD Lacoste Film Festival, where she lauded the Savannah College of Art & Design for its focus on preparing students for the realities of the entertainment industry. She emphasized the psychological challenges of rejection and the importance of balancing ego with the commercial demands of filmmaking.
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At the festival, an open-air screening celebrated Temime’s early work on Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), which marked a stylistic shift for the franchise under director Alfonso Cuarón. Temime shared how she aimed to make Harry Potter relatable, dressing him as an everyday teenager rather than a stereotypical wizarding hero.
Reflecting on her time with the Harry Potter series, Temime described witnessing the cast’s growth from children to stars and recalled moments that highlighted their transformation into household names.
The SCAD Lacoste Film Festival honored Temime alongside screenwriter Christopher Hampton, director Stephen Frears, and actor Toby Jones.
