Warning: This article contains spoilers for Cary Joji Fukunaga's No Time To Die and James Bond's storyline.

As Daniel Craig's final outing as James Bond, No Time To Die has delivered on every level, going above and beyond every fan's expectations. Whether it's the over-the-top stunts, the narrative that ties everything together, or the new characters, the 25th 007 film is exciting and enthralling, from start to finish.

RELATED: The 10 Best Quotes From No Time To Die

But the final result wasn't always the way the film was envisioned. Between an extremely experimental approach to the story, the cast writing their own dialogue, and the studio switching directors during the development, No Time To Die could have looked a lot different.

The Motorcycle Stunt Was The Hardest Stunt In The Movie

Bike chase in Italy in No Time To Die

James Bond movies always open with exciting practical stunt scenes, especially Daniel Craig's movies. Casino Royale had the parkour sequence jumping between cranes, and though Spectre was underwhelming to some, it had the brilliant tracking shot through the Day of the Dead parade. No Time To Die has the most ambitious sequence yet, as it sees Bond go from jumping off a bridge to a car chase to an incredible motorcycle jump, and that's all in one sequence.

However, according to stunt coordinator Lee Morrison, it was the hardest stunt to shoot in the whole movie, despite there being others much more intricate. The reason it was so difficult was that it was such a bumpy and slippery ride, as the roads in Matero, Italy, are paved with cobblestones. Morrison said it was the "worst [he] ever shot on."

The Director Had To Convince Craig To Shoot Long Takes

James Bond speaking to an MI6 clerk in No Time To Die

Director Cary Joji Fukunaga has a unique approach to filmmaking, and that's why No Time To Die stands out cinematically from the other Craig movies in particular ways. One of those ways is the use of long takes, as that style had only been done once at the beginning of Spectre. This time around, there are so many long tracking shots, but according to the director, Craig had to be convinced.

Calling the actor a "perfectionist," Fukunaga explained that Craig preferred shots to be cut traditionally, that way every punch has so much impact. The director was eventually able to persuade him, and if anything, the filmmaking style gave the action even more impact. There's one long take in the final act of the movie on a spiral staircase, and it's one of the best action sequences in the movie.

Video Game Sounds Design Influenced The Movie

Alyx in front of Citadel in Half Life 2

The director explained that sound design is a huge part of making audiences feel involved in the world that the movie creates, and Fukunaga credits video games for No Time To Die's immaculate sound design. Citing Call of Duty for the "metallic sort of clank" when it comes to machine guns, Fukanaga would be bothered if the sound design didn't sound like the video games he played.

RELATED: 10 Most Violent James Bond Movies (Ranked By Number Of On-Screen Deaths)

The director goes on to reference Half Life, Biohazard, and The Last of Us as influences too. That's clear when thinking about certain scenes in the new movie, such as when the guns raise out of the Aston Martin at the beginning and the shootout in Norway.

Lea Seydoux Didn't Think She'd Be Asked To Return

James Bond pulls madeleine's arm in No Time to Die

There are many ways Bond has changed since Casino Royale. For one, he's more open to emotional relationships, and that's no more clear than his relationship with Dr. Madeleine Swann (Lea Seydoux.) She is the only love interest in the series that has returned for a second film, which could have something to do with why Seydoux didn't expect to come back for the Spectre sequel.

The actor mentioned that she was "shocked to be asked back," even though Spectre saw her character drive away seemingly happily ever after with Bond. But she followed up by saying that it makes sense, as both characters have a wounded past, and that's why they work so well together.

Ana De Armas Went Through Serious Stunt Training

No Time To Die Ana de Armas Paloma

There have been 12 Bond girls in the Daniel Craig movies, but arguably the very best of them comes in the final movie, as Paloma (Ana de Armas) is a quirky CIA operative who has incredible skills in hand-to-hand combat and firearms. And the reason why the character is so believable is because of how much effort Armas put into training for the role.

A behind-the-scenes No Time To Die clip shows Armas training with firearms including machine guns, and there's another clip that shows her rigorous physical combat training too. That's a huge commitment for a character who is only on screen for around 10 minutes.

The Cast Helped Write Scenes During Filming

M speaks with Bond in No Time To Die

It's well known that Phoebe Waller-Bridge was hired for her signature witty writing to add some fresh dialogue to the script of No Time To Die. However, that wasn't the only adjustment after the Neal Purvis and Robert Wade-penned screenplay was written.

RELATED: 5 Best James Bond Deleted Scenes (& 5 That Were Better Left Out)

According to Fukanaga, the director was writing dialogue as they were filming, and he even had some help from the cast too. Specifically referring to Ralph Fiennes when Fukanaga had to shoot off-the-cuff scenes while Craig was dealing with an injury, the director said that the actor turned his "sh**** throwaway line into something great."

Malek Forgot His Lines When He Saw Craig As Bond

Rami Malek wearing a mask in the snow in No Time to Die

The tranquil fury and classic smolder are just a couple of the many Bond mannerisms and behaviors that Daniel Craig nails, and it isn't hard to believe that'd it'd make anybody speechless when seeing it in person. That's exactly what happened to Rami Malek, who plays the new villain, Lyutsifer Safin, in the movie.

The actor told Graham Norton that he forgot his lines, saying, "'Oh, this is because I'm looking straight at James Bond.' I couldn't handle it. It isn't the first time this has happened, as it's well-known that the same thing happened to Michael Caine in The Dark Knight, one of the many great behind-the-scenes facts about the trilogy. The first time he saw Heath Ledger as the Joker when he exits the elevator in the penthouse, the seasoned actor totally forgot to deliver his line.

The Movie Originally Had A Different Twist

James Bond and Blofeld talking one last time in No Time to Die

No Time To Die follows on from Spectre in a way that few other Bond follow-ups do, as it's much more of a direct sequel given that Dr. Madeleine Swann is prominently featured. But Fukanaga wanted it to be even more connected to the 2015 movie.

In Spectre, a needle is injected into Bond's head where he's supposed to forget everything. But Fukunaga's original twist took this even further by having his escape in that movie, along with the first two acts of the new movie, to all be inside Bond's head. It's a surprise that Fukanaga still got the directing gig after pitching such a wacky and experimental idea.

The Director Has An Idea For The Next Bond Movie

James Bond at the nanobot factory in No Time to Die

There are a lot of questions fans still have after No Time To Die, but given the way the movie ends, those questions will most likely never be answered. However, just because Craig won't be returning and the five-movie story arc is over doesn't mean the director can't return to the series.

It sounds like Fukanaga would love to come back to direct another installment of the long-running series. Though he doesn't give anything away, the director stated that "I still have a pitch I would do if I had to reboot it." Given how No Time To Die was the most envelope-pushing Bond movie there has been in a while, it'd be interesting to see what Fukanaga would do with a completely clean slate.

The Director Had Danny Boyle's Blessing

James Bond at Vesper's gravesite in No Time to Die

Before Fukanaga came on board, Danny Boyle was set to direct the movie. That would have been more traditional, as it's mostly British filmmakers who have directed Bond movies, and Fukanaga is the very first director to be behind the camera for a 007 outing.

However, Boyle left the project due to creative differences with the studio, leaving the door open for Fukanaga. The American director didn't want to step on anyone's toes, so he reached out to Boyle by email to talk about the situation. In return, Boyle gave Fukanaga his blessing and was apparently "really, really cordial about it."

NEXT: 5 Reasons Skyfall Is The Best James Bond Movie (& 5 Better Alternatives)