- "Heracles was… it was designed to be the most efficient weapon in our arsenal. Passing through people harmlessly before reaching its intended target."
"But Obruchev modified the nanobots so that they can kill anyone related to the target."
"Anyone?"
"Well, since it’s DNA-based, with further modifications, yes. Families, certain genetic traits. Single-nucleotide variants and polymorphisms that could target a range from individuals to whole ethnicities. You infect enough people..."
"And the people become the weapon." - ― M, Q, Eve Moneypenny and James Bond
Heracles was a DNA-targeting assassination nanotechnology developed in collaboration with the British Secret Intelligence Service (SIS/MI6). It was featured prominently in the 2021 James Bond film, No Time to Die.
History[]
Created by Dr. Valdo Obruchev and his colleagues on behalf of the Secret Intelligence Service, "Heracles" was a virus-like nanoweapon initially designed to target a specific individual's DNA. The technology consisted of millions of nanobots capable of spreading harmlessly through the global population undetected. Upon encountering their intended target(s), the weapon could kill within seconds; theoretically eliminating collateral damage. However, with alterations the technology could become a weapon of mass destruction - capable of targeting everything from particular individuals to entire ethnicities. Those targeted by Heracles would rapidly develop lesions on their face as they died upon infection.
Circa 2020, Heracles (and Obruchev) was stolen from its research laboratory by operatives of the criminal organization SPECTRE. Their incarcerated leader Ernst Stavro Blofeld intended to test Heracles in an assassination attempt on his long-time target, James Bond. Unbeknownst to SPECTRE, Obruchev had been contracted by the vengeful Lyutsifer Safin to reprogram the weapon to kill their board of directors. In addition, the doctor had modified the weapon to kill anyone biologically related to the initial target. Safin also ordered two other specific variants, one to target Blofeld himself and the other to target Madeleine Swann and her daughter.
Safin began mass-production of Heracles on his island in the Sea of Japan/Okhotsk and planned to decimate the world's population. The site and most traces of the technology were wiped out by a Royal Naval bombardment. The only known remaining trace of Heracles on a living human host was with Madeleine Swann, although the strain she carried was harmless to anyone except Blofeld. who had already been infected and killed by the nanobots.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- The first appearance of nanotechnology in the cinematic series, "Smart Blood" can be seen as a precursor to No Time to Die's "Heracles".
- The project is named after the Greek demigod Heracles, the son of Zeus known for his immense strength and the 12 labours. He is more popularly known by his Roman name Hercules. The name is presumably a reference to his death; despite his seeming invincibility, Heracles was ultimately killed by a poison that was absorbed through the skin, one which was administered by subterfuge, as his wife was tricked into applying it to his clothing.
- The arrival of Covid-19 on the global scene in 2019/2020 had an inevitable impact on No Time to Die. Not only did it impact release dates, openings, etc., and box office, it also drew comparisons with the film's plot, particularly Heracles, due to theories that the virus itself originated in a laboratory and was a bioweapon. It is not entirely clear how Heracles spreads, but it seems once someone has it, it cannot be removed from their system.
- When No Time to Die was released, Heracles drew comparisons to the Metal Gear series' FOXDIE, first appearing in Metal Gear Solid. FOXDIE, like Heracles, is a virological weapon that can be engineered to kill specific people and requires nanotechnology in its dispersal. How much intentional inspiration is uncertain, and the connection is made even more pressing as both No Time to Die and Metal Gear Solid have their respective weapons kills a villainous brother figure to the protagonist.
- Other similar virus types have appeared in other video games such as the Syphon Filter (from the eponymous series) and Manticore from Call of Duty, the latter bearing another Greek myth-inspired name.