Charlie Higson's King Zero, set for release this September , reboots James Bond for a modern continuity, according to Ian Fleming Publications. The novel features a 35-year-old 007 pursuing a new villain named King Zero after an agent is murdered in Saudi Arabia, with the plot split across three global locations. Higson has stated his intent to update Bond's attitude to women while keeping the character's core traits intact.

A 35-Year-Old Bond in a Post-WWII World

Unlike Ian Fleming's original Bond, whose age and worldview were shaped by World War II, Higson's Bond is set in 2026. Speaking at a 70 Years of 007 celebration, Higson explained that young men today have different attitudes and experiences, so he had to make his Bond work with that while remaining recognizably Fleming's character: a loner, tough, resourceful, and relentless. The source reports that Higson has made an attempt to channel what Bond is but remove aspects that do not sit happily with modern audiences.

King Zero: A Villain With a Binary Twist

Little is known about the antagonist King Zero, but Ian Fleming Publications brands him the most distinctive Bond villain since Goldfinger. Speculation among fans, as noted by the source, suggests his codename refers to binary code, with 0 representing a lack of electrical current and a false response. given the novel's promise of a global catastrophe, Higson may be planning a tech mogul who intends to shut down electronics worldwide. Higson has boasted that his bad guy has all the elements of a classic Bond villain with a twist not done before.

Why Bond's Past Adventures Remain Canon

While King Zero is a reboot, Higson has confirmed that the novel embraces both literary and cinematic Bond history. The book's summary opens by stating that Bond has faced Le Chiffre, Dr No, and Goldfinger, indicating that unlike Daniel Craig's film era, this new canon does not start fresh. According to the source, Higson admitted most fans know Bond from films, so his continuity combines book and movie history, depicting a version whose backstory is not exactly as you remember it but still covers the essentials.

Three Global Locales to Anchor the Plot

In an exclusive interview, Higson confirmed that the book will be split into three sections, each marked by a unique location. Globetrotting is a major focus, cnosistent with the Bond brand. Although the specific ciies or countries are not named in the source, the structure promises a travelogue of exotic settings as Bond pursues the villain across the planet.

Updating Bond's Attitude to Women: A Necessary Shift

Higson has explicitly stated the latest 007 rebirth includes updating Bond's attitude toward women, as reported by the source. This aligns with broader cultural shifts in the franchise, following criticisms of the character's historical treatment of female characters. The source notes that the contemporary setting and Bond's age mean Higson's celebrated Young Bond novels will not be considered canon, though they may still influence the narrative.