Sure, James has recently made (short) appearances on U.S. soil - Miami International Airport in Casino Royale and the Florida Keys in Licence To Kill to name a few. Unfortunately, it has been over 20 years since our favorite secret agent has gone on a true 'U.S. mission.' The last time was in 1985's A view To A Kill, where Roger Moore's Bond hunted down Max Zorin in San Francisco, California and tech industry hotspot Silicon Valley.

As we all know, James Bond is a very well traveled secret agent - he's been across the globe and back. From Thailand (The Man With The Golden Gun) to Iceland (Die Another Day), he's a secret agent with fully stamped passports (his Universal Exports aliases too, remember). So why the U.S.A. drought? The answer is of course obvious - he's a British secret agent. But why not make another appearance for old time's sake?

Think of Bond's history in the states. In my eyes, each occurrence is vintage James Bond at his best. For example, the car chase through Las Vegas in 1971's Diamonds Are Forever - an instant classic. New York City and New Orleans in 1974's Live And Let Die or Miami Beach in 1964's Goldfinger - all placed Bond in some precarious positions in unfamiliar territory - a rarity and a pleasant event.

So why should an upcoming Bond movie be based in the United States again?

Character development.

Following Casino Royale's lead of a refreshed Bond, a change in setting from historic European cities (no offense to them) to American urban areas in the U.S. could, dare I say, make Daniel Craig's Bond even grittier.

This notion may be seen as 'overdoing' Craig's portrayal to some, but in my opinion could lend itself to some interesting storylines which Craig could execute like no Bond has before. Fortunately for you, I have thought of a few settings and plots that might reignite Craig's cause in Bond 22, starting with the least plausible (and my least liked). Keep in mind that some part of the story will revolve around Mr. White (as revealed at the end of Casino Royale) and his criminal organization - a great precursor to explain any potential overseas 'business' he has in the U.S.:

Las Vegas, NV
007's return to Sin City is an obvious, albeit almost too easy of a setting to choose in the U.S. for Bond 22. There's really nothing like Bond at a casino, so however the plot could be constructed Bond wouldn't look too out of place sitting at a poker table at the Wynn. This setting would seem to be the most subtle way to incorporate 007's style into U.S. culture without detracting from his British roots. Although this setting is plausible, I am afraid it would not be probable as we have seen 007 in Vegas before which might lead some to recite the 'been there, done that' mantra. Perhaps Bond should stay away from casinos in the U.S.?

Los Angeles, CA
Keeping in touch with recent headlines and causes of concern for the Department of Homeland Security, the sea ports of Los Angeles could be an excellent platform for any of Mr. White's potential illegal imports into the country. Bond's style would also mesh perfectly in a lavish mansion of a contact in Malibu (hey Greg) or in the Hollywood Hills compound of a movie mogul dabbling in the shipping industry. And why not L.A.? Bond has yet to make a significant stay in one of the U.S.'s greatest cities.

Washington, D.C.
The major pull of Washington D.C. in a Bond movie would have to be related to foreign affairs involving MI6 and the CIA. We, of course, have seen the Bond-CIA connection before with Bond's contact in Langley, Felix Leiter, aiding Bond in several of his missions. I enjoyed Geoffrey Wright's performance as Leiter in Casino Royale - why not have him make another appearance with Bond? Side by side, even?

New York City, NY
Mr. White's exploits could not be conceived as any more grandeur than to have them intertwined with one of the busiest cities in the world. Any plot line could potentially resonate well with fans in this city - something involving the United Nations (as seen in a previous Bond), the stock exchange, Times Square or even Central Park.

So Bond's in the U.S., but why?
Drugs. Or some kind of smuggling. Licence To Kill peaked my interest in having Bond involved with combatting the drug trade. Perhaps it should be another way that Mr. White's criminal organization is funded. I truly think that the franchise would benefit from depicting Mr. White's purpose for crime strictly for the profit motive and not having any delusions of disrupting the world's gold market or melting polar ice caps with a diamond satellite. My ideal Bond 22 would resemble Licence To Kill with a more sinister feel.

Really, the possibilities for Bond 22's setting and plot are endless. Depending on where the producers decide to dispatch 007, the setting will play a significant role in how Craig's second outing will be received by fans.