Brief
Ian Rankin declined Ian Fleming estate’s offer to write a James Bond novel
The Rebus creator said he would have earned only half the royalties and felt Bond’s 1950s tone didn’t suit modern readers.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Sir Ian Rankin, the author of the Rebus series, told the Times and the Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival that the Ian Fleming estate approached him "a few years ago" to write an official James Bond novel, but he turned the offer down.
What happened
According to the Independent, Rankin said the estate would have paid him 50 % of the royalties, a split he found unacceptable compared with the 100 % he receives from his own Rebus books. He added that the estate asked him a second time and he declined again.
What the reports add
The article notes that Lee Child also rejected a similar proposal in 2008 for the same royalty terms. Rankin explained that he felt Bond’s "specifically 1950s" style did not translate well to contemporary storytelling.
What was said
Rankin said, "Why would I do Bond books for 50 per cent of the royalties, when I can get 100 per cent with the Reacher books?" He also remarked, "I felt ultimately vindicated because I didn’t love the people. I thought they were a bit uptight and because Bond is so specifically 1950s, it doesn’t work in contemporary times." The Independent reported these comments without additional attribution.
How it came about
Earlier this month the Fleming estate announced historian Dan Jones would write a new Bond novella for the National Year of Reading, highlighting the estate’s ongoing search for authors. Rankin’s refusal adds another high‑profile rebuff to the estate’s efforts to expand the 007 canon.
Key facts
- Ian Rankin was offered to write an official James Bond novel by the Ian Fleming estate. (independent.co.uk)
- Rankin declined because he would have received only 50 % of the royalties. (independent.co.uk)
- Rankin said Bond’s 1950s tone does not work for contemporary readers. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Ian Rankin turned down the chance to write James Bond novel”
