Stout
Hold onto the ball, Murray!
Now that makes sense. I agree. If they just "retire" the James Bond name (maybe that is what Stout was saying) and this continues as just 007? Yeah that would suck. In that case it should be a new franchise but it really can't be separate unless you plan on letting James Bond sit for awhile. You couldn't have two franchises where different agents use the 007 number. It would have to be a completely different thing unless you let the original rest.
James Bond is James Bond. Hell I would rather they do some long lost daughter type thing and call her Jane Bond or something like that. Again it would be a different franchise though.
I think this is Craig's last one. If so, recast the character and keep moving along.
Exactly. But, for your second point, I disagree vigorously. If I ever see a preview with a Jane Bond that's a serious thing, I'm done forever. When I say different franchise, I don't mean different "this universe" franchise, I mean make a different franchise period. I'm all for differential casting, but Jane Bond would be the ultimate PC stupidity.