When it comes to action-packed stunts as well as explosive special effects, no one dares to match James Bond. The iconic British spy has been delighting viewers for over fifty years with his death-defying deeds and heart-pounding adventures.
Similarly, in the 2015 film Spectre, Daniel Craig’s portrayal of James Bond ascended to new heights with an enormous explosion that went on to earn the Guinness World Record for Largest Film Stunt Explosion. This explosion, which took place in the Moroccan desert, was a breathtaking spectacle that had viewers on the brink of their seats.
But, as we eagerly await the release of the next James Bond flick, the question on everyone’s mind is whether upcoming spy movies could break this impressive world record.
Spectre: Guinness World Record For The Largest Movie Stunt Explosion
Starring Daniel Craig as James Bond, Spectre has a 63% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but it did boast the biggest explosion in movie stunt history.
With regard to the sequence in the movie featuring a huge base explosion that lasts longer than 7.5 seconds, Chris Corbould (special effects supervisor) was specifically given credit for breaking the Guinness World Record. The explosion that was caught on camera in Morocco, which used 8,140 liters of kerosene and 24 charges—each containing a kilogram of high explosives—holds the record for being the biggest film stunt explosion in movie history.
Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, the 2015 film’s producers, offered their thoughts, saying:
“It is absolutely tremendous that the Guinness World Records have recognised Chris Corbould’s incredible work in ‘Spectre’ in which he created the largest explosion ever in film history.”
James Bond films are “synonymous with pushing cinematic boundaries” according to Craig Glenday, Editor-in-Chief of Guinness World Records. He further added:
“Spectre, has again captured the imagination of global cinemagoers, and this will certainly be due in part to the phenomenal stunts. The scene featuring the world’s largest film stunt explosion is spectacular and will live long in the memory as one of the outstanding moments in the Bond franchise.”
Craig plays 007 for the fourth time in Spectre, which was once again helmed by Sam Mendes. With a global box office haul of $880 million, it ranked sixth overall in 2015 and, when adjusted for inflation, became the second-highest-grossing James Bond film, behind Skyfall (see Box Office Mozo).
Can Upcoming James Bond Flicks Surpass This Record?
Bond 26 is still firmly in the pre-production stage and is not expected to hit theaters until at least 2025. As of June 2022, EON producer Barbara Broccoli stated (via Time):
“We are working out where to go with him, we are talking that through. There isn’t a script and we can’t come up with one until we decide how we’re going to approach the next film because, really, it’s a reinvention of Bond. We’re reinventing who he is and that takes time. I’d say that filming is at least two years away.”
Although we thoroughly enjoyed his time as 007, Daniel Craig’s James Bond days are long gone. Still, it remains to be seen: Who will be the next James Bond? But Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who has been the focus of tabloid rumors for a few years, is one person who is definitely living the dream right now. A report in The Sun claimed that he had made a behind-closed audition for the Bond role.
An insider for The Sun shared:
“He [Aaron Taylor-Johnson] is the perfect person to play Bond, and will pick up well from where Daniel left off.”
But, as per BBC, Taylor-Johnson has received a formal offer for the role. Please take that with a grain of salt. Well, of course, the stakes in the James Bond series get higher and higher with each new film. The stunts get bolder, the explosions more spectacular, and the action scenes more intricate. With every movie, directors and stunt coordinators push the limits of what is conceivable on screen in an effort to surpass themselves.
However, breaking a Guinness World Record is not an easy feat. It calls for meticulous planning, precise execution, and a healthy dose of creativity. It is not just about starting a big explosion; it is about creating a memorable and impactful moment that will leave audiences speechless.
Is it possible for the next James Bond film to surpass the Guinness World Record for the Biggest Film Stunt Explosion? We will find out in due course. There is no doubt, though, that James Bond’s jaw-dropping action scenes will keep thrilling viewers for years to come.
Spectre can be rented on Apple TV.
