There are still a lot of questions regarding Bond 26, but Daniel Craig's James Bond era means that one character needs to play a massive role in the next series. Almost nothing is known about Bond 26, with many details still up in the air such as who will actually play James Bond. However, Daniel Craig's era revolutionized one James Bond character, changing him from a side character to a member of the main cast, and Bond 26 can't survive if it doesn't bring him back.
Daniel Craig's James Bond appeared in five movies throughout his run, with his 007 films creating a vast world that was much richer than any era before it. Craig's era turned caricatures into fully-fleshed-out characters, rebooting some of the most popular James Bond stories and retelling them in a way that added so much more depth. Up until Daniel Craig's No Time To Die ending, though, one character was by his side like never before, and it is a necessity that he returns again in Bond 26.
Jeffrey Wright Revolutionized The Felix Leiter Character
Although Felix Leiter appears in several older versions of James Bond, Jeffrey Wright's version of the character in Craig's 007 films revolutionized him. Previous versions of the character shared the same backstory and many of the same attributes, with Jeffrey Wright's Casino Royale debut even repeating the introduction of the Felix in the Ian Fleming novels. However, Wright's Felix Leiter was much more than the character's previous incarnations, as the character stood out in the series and quickly became a fan favorite.
Although Felix Leiter is typically a CIA agent who only makes occasional appearances, Jeffrey Wright took Felix Leiter and turned him into not only a trusted ally, but Bond's best friend. From his first appearance in Casino Royale, Felix is always by Bond's side, trusting Bond enough to stake him at a risky moment during the card game. Leiter even goes behind the back of his own agency in Quantum of Solace in order to help Bond, showing how close the two have become. Even in the James Bond movies Felix isn't in Bond brings him up, with Bond mentioning his friend in Spectre.
Bond's Reaction To Felix's Death Makes Him Essential For Bond 26
While Felix Leiter has all kinds of fantastic moments throughout Daniel Craig's era as James Bond, the most impactful is his death in No Time To Die. While helping Bond, Felix is shot by a CIA double agent, with Felix dying in James Bond's arms. This moment is profoundly emotional for the typically stone-cold 007, motivating him to go after Felix's killer. Felix's No Time To Die death is one of the series' most tragic moments, with Bond's emotional reaction showing off just how close the two have grown since first meeting in Casino Royale.
Ending off Daniel Craig's James Bond era with Felix Leiter's death would make it incredibly weird if Bond 26 didn't bring him back. After having given the character so much focus, Felix is essential to the next James Bond era, with the character being almost as important as 007 himself. Without bringing back Felix Leiter, Bond 26 would have a massive emotional hole at the core of it, and it would be a massive missed opportunity to push Felix to the side after Jeffrey Wright's revolutionary take on the character. While the iteration doesn't have to be exactly the same, Felix needs to be in Bond 26 in some way.
Felix Should Play A Bigger Role In Bond's Future
Not only should Felix return in Bond 26, but he should play an even bigger role in the future of James Bond. Despite playing a massive role in Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, and No Time to Die, Felix is completely absent from Skyfall and Spectre. The fact that Felix is gone is really felt in these two films, and although Felix does have an emotional resolution in No Time To Die, the next James Bond era doesn't need to have Felix missing multiple films in a row.
Daniel Craig's era basically made Felix Leiter the Watson to James Bond's Sherlock Holmes, and the duo's partnership should be expanded on in Bond 26. Felix gives James Bond an emotional connection to play off of, with the dynamic making Bond a more interesting character. However, simply repeating the arc of Jeffrey Wright's Felix in Bond 26's story would be a problem. Instead, Felix needs to play a much bigger role in Bond's future, with Bond 26 hopefully looking into their partnership and friendship to an even greater extent than before.