S03E004 In this episode we discuss season 2 of 007: Road to a Million. Was it really better than the first? We weigh up the contestants, the challenges, the Controller, and how effectively the Bond IP and music were used this time around. And as always, we look ahead: will there be a season 3, and if so, would we watch it?But before we get into that we look at the 60th anniversaries of three TV shows from the 1960s spy craze which sprang directly from Bond’s success. And from there, we move to the digital age with 007: First Light, discussing what the recently released 30 minutes of gameplay reveal about the first Bond game in over a decade — and whether it lives up to expectations.

Where to find us

Bill Koenig

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Javi Trujillo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

https://bsky.app/profile/javitru.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebondisnotenough/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

David Leigh

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com/⁠⁠⁠

Recorded in the USA and Spain on 17th September 2025

S03E003: In the second half of our Thunderball discussion, Bill Koenig, Javi Trujillo and David Leigh turn to the film’s legacy and cultural impact. We look at how Thunderball shaped popular culture — from underwater spectacle to the parody of Austin Powers.

Along the way we consider whether the film influenced our own styles, explore the ground-breaking underwater photography and the challenges of shooting beneath the waves, and share some favourite collectibles. We also reflect on Thunderball’s music, its modern reception, and what lessons it may hold for Bond 26.

Where to find us

Bill Koenig
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Javi Trujillo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
https://bsky.app/profile/javitru.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebondisnotenough/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

David Leigh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com/⁠⁠

Recorded in the USA and Spain on 2nd September 2025

S3E002: Bill Koenig, Javi Trujillo and David Leigh kick off a two-part celebration of Thunderball on its 60th anniversary. In this episode, they revisit their first viewings and the impressions the film left behind, then dive into Kevin McClory’s influence on the Bond series.

The discussion turns to SPECTRE and Blofeld—was it for the best that Eon dropped them in the 1970s, and why did their eventual return feel squandered? The hosts also talk about the SPECTRE ring and how the octopus logo makes no sense.

Where to find us

Bill Koenig

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Javi Trujillo

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/javitru.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebondisnotenough/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

David Leigh

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com/⁠⁠

Recorded in the USA and Spain on 2nd September 2025

S3 E001: The 007 Files returns for its third season as Bill Koenig is joined by co-hosts Javi Trujillo and David Leigh for an engaging conversation with special guest Joseph Darlington — author of Being James Bond and host of the long-running podcast of the same name. Joseph talks about the newly revised Volume I of his book, what’s coming in Volume II, and how his approach to writing, podcasting, and developing Bond-style skills has evolved since launching the show in 2006.

The discussion covers the concept of Being James Bond, the process of updating Volume I, how the upcoming book expands into wine, food, and travel, and reflections on the “London Trilogy” (Skyfall, SPECTRE, No Time to Die). Joseph also shares his thoughts on the franchise’s future under Amazon, how Bond’s appeal has shifted over time, and the changing shape of the fan community in a post-pandemic world.

Where to find us

Joseph Darlington

https://www.youtube.com/@Beingjamesbond

Bill Koenig

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Javi Trujillo

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/javitru.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebondisnotenough/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

David Leigh

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com/⁠

Recorded in the USA and Spain on 30th July 2025

In this episode, we dive into our immediate reaction to Denis Villeneuve being confirmed as director for Bond 26—and how our views have shifted just three days later.

We explore what Villeneuve might bring to James Bond, what this could mean for the tone of the next film, and take a closer look at the three young actors reportedly in the running for 007.

Plus, we discuss the rumoured 2028 release date and what that means for Bond fans waiting for the next chapter in the series.

Recorded in the USA and Spain on 28th June 2025.

Where to find us

Bill Koenig

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Javi Trujillo

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/javitru.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebondisnotenough/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

David Leigh

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com/⁠

Bill Koenig and Javi Trujillo are joined by writer and Bond expert Mark Edlitz, author of Keeping 007 Alive: Conversations with James Bond Continuation Authors (and other books), for an in-depth look at the world of continuation novels.

They ask: what challenges do authors face when stepping into Ian Fleming’s shoes? What might Ian Fleming Publications' current strategy tell us about the direction of the literary Bond? And who stands out as the most successful continuation author so far?

Mark also shares his thoughts on the future of Bond in print — and when we might next see a traditional, mid-30s 007 back on a mission. Will it be a period piece, or brought into the modern day?

Recorded in the USA on 17th June 2025.

Where to find us

Mark Edlitz

http://www.markedlitz.com/

Bill Koenig

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Javi Trujillo

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/javitru.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebondisnotenough/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of The 007 Files, Javi Trujillo, Bill Koenig and David Leigh dive into a flurry of new Bond news. We begin with Ian Fleming Publications’ surprising pivot: a forthcoming book series featuring a retired James Bond teaching kids to be agents, aimed squarely at 8–12-year-olds. Is it a clever way to get children reading—or a misunderstanding of what kids really respond to?

We also unpack the freshly released trailer for 007: First Light, the new video game origin story, and what it tells us about the tone and direction. Plus, there’s a brand-new 4K restoration of the Connery classics and some long-awaited Bond soundtrack remasters from La-La Land Records.

A packed show for Bond fans of all stripes—young, old, and digitally remastered.

Recorded in the USA and Spain on 12th June 2025.

Where to find us

Bill Koenig

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Javi Trujillo

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/javitru.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebondisnotenough/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

David Leigh

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thejamesbonddossier.com/⁠

In this episode, Javi Trujillo and Bill Koenig sit down with James Bond continuation author Raymond Benson for a lively, wide-ranging conversation. Best known for carrying the literary torch after John Gardner, Benson returns to the world of 007—this time through the eyes of Felix Leiter.

They delve into The Hook and the Eye, Benson’s forthcoming novel focused on Bond’s CIA ally. Set shortly after the events of Live and Let Die, the story explores what happens to Leiter in the aftermath of his encounter with a shark. Serialised digitally via Kindle and slated for paperback release later this year, the book promises mystery, period detail, and a fresh perspective on a familiar character.

Benson talks about the challenges of writing a one-armed protagonist, the meticulous research behind capturing mid-century America, and how the road trip from New York to Texas has changed since 1952. The episode also covers the contrast between writing Bond and writing Leiter, how first-person narration reshapes the storytelling, and why Fleming’s Leiter has never truly made it to the screen.

A must-listen for Bond fans and anyone interested in the craft of spy fiction.

Recorded on 16th May 2025 in the United States.

Raymond Benson

https://raymondbenson.com/

Javi Trujillo

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/javitru.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebondisnotenough/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Bill Koenig

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://hmssweblog.wordpress.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠