In a world where memorabilia and nostalgia unite, Upper Deck promises nothing short of cinematic magic with its 2025 trading card homage to Daniel Craig’s swansong as James Bond in “No Time to Die.” As if drawing from the grandeur of a classic Bond film, these cards serve as a tangible reminiscence of not just a movie but a cultural era, capturing the swagger, suspense, and style that Craig embodied in his tenure as the suave gentleman spy.
Let’s dial back to the evening of September 28, 2021, when “No Time to Die” sparkled onto the big screen in the UK, sealing a legacy that Craig had meticulously crafted over fifteen years. Fast forward to present day, where this film’s epic narrative, along with its nuanced characters, is now painstakingly recreated card by card, creating a set that both collectors and fans will admire, as much as they long for that synonymous martini—shaken, not stirred.
The base set offers 100 cards, each functioning as a complementary piece in the grander tableau of Bond’s final chronicle. But this isn’t simply about base cards, for Upper Deck has orchestrated an intricate web of parallels each more tantalizing and storied than the last. From the cryptic “Heracles” to the sleek “Ice Die Cut” versions, to the exclusive Teal, Gold, and Black 007 editions, some numbered as low as seven, these cards evoke a coded allure, much like the classified missions Bond undertakes, promising mystery and exclusivity in every pack.
Perhaps the true allure of the collection lies in its autographs. Imagine possessing the signature of Daniel Craig himself—a treasure to Bond enthusiasts and collectors alike. But why stop at 007? The ensemble star-studded includes the refined Ralph Fiennes, the formidable Lashana Lynch, the enigmatic Jeffrey Wright, the ever-charming Léa Seydoux, the creative mind of director Cary Joji Fukunaga, and several others, whose presence have been vital to weaving the intricate web of espionage and emotion that makes Bond films captivating.
The signature cards have a special horizontal format, offering a panorama akin to a widescreen moment, and some feature inscribed versions and ensemble parallels, pushing rarity up the scale and collecting enthusiasts’ jaws to the floor.
But what’s a good spy without his gear? Upper Deck extends its homage beyond print with authentic pieces of Bond’s world: wardrobe cards embroidered with essence from pivotal wardrobe pieces used onscreen. Feel the heft of history in the fabric of a waistcoat worn by 007 himself, or the whisper of danger from the dress silhouettes of female leads Nomi and Paloma, whose roles were brought to life by Lashana Lynch and Ana de Armas. Each card doesn’t just display a piece of clothing; it embodies a moment, a story, a feeling as tangible as ripping stitches, tearing apart the action, and re-sewing its tapestry in your hands.
Each pack of six cards—a blend of four base and one coveted Heracles parallel—is an adventure waiting to be unfurled. For the keen-eyed, there’s a chance of pulling the elusive “Ice Die Cut” parallel—a 1 in 5 packs golden ticket. Multiply this intrigue across 15 packs per box and 12 boxes per case, and you have a treasure hunt of secret agent proportions.
The checklist itself reads as an anthology of clandestine operations, each card formatting the title of a scene from the movie into a relic of cinematic nostalgia. From “What Do You Think Your Papa Does?” to the hauntingly poetic “All the Time in the World,” and the nerve-chilling “I’m Going to Tell You a Story,” each card cultivates intrigue and deepens the lore that “No Time to Die” so passionately presented.
This trading card set does more than just immortalize a film; it captures the very essence of the James Bond saga. It’s a tribute to Daniel Craig’s tenure that cartographers of Bond lore can map out, embrace and perhaps for a lucky few, build a collection that echoes the style, the suspense, and the swagger of a true Bond experience. For those holding onto the silken threads of nostalgia and cinematic glory, this collection promises to be more than just a set of cards—it’s a slice of Bond history, trimmed with the elegance and enigma that only 007 can offer, ready to be shuffled, shared and showcased.
