In 2035 I've read that the character goes into the public domain and we can all make our own Bond films.
This is mostly right. Once Bond is fully in the public domain (in 2035 for the UK/EU), anyone will be able to write and publish Bond stories based on Ian Fleming's original novels. However, there are limitations:
The film version of Bond (from EON Productions) is still protected by trademarks. The distinctive elements of the film Bond (like the gun barrel sequence, certain logos, and unique character traits added by the movies) may remain protected.
Later Bond novels by other authors (e.g., Anthony Horowitz, John Gardner) have their own copyrights.
So, by 2035, you will be able to legally write Bond stories based on the original Fleming novels but may have to avoid elements that originated in the films or later books.
For what it's worth, I am not planning to take advantage of this ruling. However, a similar situation arises one year sooner with the musical recordings of a certain, popular, northern English, vocal and instrumental music group. And I am intending to fill my boots with that one..!
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So, by 2035, you will be able to legally write Bond stories based on the original Fleming novels but may have to avoid elements that originated in the films or later books.
For what it's worth, I am not planning to take advantage of this ruling. However, a similar situation arises one year sooner with the musical recordings of a certain, popular, northern English, vocal and instrumental music group. And I am intending to fill my boots with that one..!