The behind-the-scenes world of James Bond has been pretty hectic over the last few years. We still don’t know who the next actor to play Bond will be when James Bond 26 is finally produced. There are plenty of rumors and conjectures around who will next play the role of Bond. A recent update on the state of the movie, specifically the casting of 007, got me excited, and on one hand, I’m encouraged by the news because the filmmakers are being deliberate. On the other hand, I’m discouraged by how long it could be before we see James Bond 26. Here’s where things stand.

Casting Is Underway

According to a report in Variety, auditions are finally underway for the next Bond movie. In a statement from Amazon, which took over creative control of the franchise in 2025, the producers explained that auditions were happening, but:

That is great news! After months and months of rumors over who could step into Bond’s legendary shoes, we know now that at least the process is happening. In more good news, legendary casting director Nina Gold is heading things up. She’s responsible for the casting in shows like Game of Thrones and The Crown, and movies like The Martian and Hamnet, the latter of which earned her a nomination at the recent 98th Academy Awards.

The bosses at Amazon seem to be taking good care of this process and don’t want to rush it, which is encouraging. Theoretically, this could be Bond for the next 15 years (Craig’s tenure was exactly 15). It’s critical to get things right.

This Good News Comes With A Caveat

The flip side of this news is that it seems like the next installment in the James Bond franchise is no closer to starting production than it was a year ago. What that means for a release date is anyone’s guess, but it seems like it will be at least 2028, if not 2029. That means there will be seven or eight years between releases in the series, as No Die To Die came out in 2021. That’s a really long time between films.

It’s not just the casting that is stretching the production timeline out. The film’s director, Denis Villeneuve, has been wrapping up work on Dune III, which will hit the 2026 movie schedule in December, and screenwriter Steven Knight is reportedly still working on the script, which is looking more and more like it could be a 007 origin story. It’s all adding up to a very long process.

For me, as a huge Bond fan, I’m happy to know that things are finally appearing to be moving forward the much-anticipated Bond 26, but it’s just such a bummer that it’s still going to be a long wait before it hits theaters. Let’s hope it’s at least 2028, and not later.

James Bond’s Tuxedos are a hard suit for any actor to fill out. But over fifteen years, Daniel Craig did just that during his era of the franchise, becoming the definitive Bond in many 007 fans’ eyes. So when he stepped away from the series five years ago, it was pretty clear that whoever took on the role next would have some pretty big Church's Phillips to fill. Well, now the Amazon boss is speaking out on why Craig's successor is taking so long to find and why there’s no new Bond for the 2026 movie calendar and beyond. Yet.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, at CinemaCon on Wednesday, Amazon Studios’ VP of film, Courtenay Valenti, spoke during MGM Studios‘ presentation and addressed the casting process for the upcoming installment, which Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve will helm. She explained:

On the one hand, it's incredibly reassuring to see the powers that be giving the franchise, which has spanned 25 films across more than 60 years, the sort of consideration it deserves. But on the other hand, it's a bummer that it's been five years since our last big screen outing with 007.

However, the Amazon bigwig has a pretty fair response to those of us tired of waiting for a casting announcement. Valenti continued:

I mean, fair enough. As a fan of all things concerning the Agent with a license to kill, I’m pretty happy with the fact that they’re taking their time to find the right person to step in as Bond. We don’t need a hasty casting and end up in another George Lazenby situation. Look, I admittedly think Lazenby is a fine 007 and gets sidelined too often, but I know he's not everyone's choice for their favorite Bond actor. So the longer they take to find the right person for the job, the better our chances of a Bond built for some longevity.

The last of Daniel Craig’s films playing the legendary spy was in Cary Joji Fukunaga’s hit No Time to Die in 2021. It was announced last year that Amazon MGM would be stepping in as the franchise's creative control after long-time helmers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli formed a joint venture with Amazon and ceded creative control to the streamer.

For now, we fans will have to wait for more news regarding the casting of our next James Bond. Luckily for us, we can revisit six decades' worth of missions as all films in order are streaming with a Netflix subscription.

The Batman Part II has been a movie that fans have been waiting for for years, and while the release date of the project has been delayed multiple times, it did appear that production was set to get underway soon ahead of the film’s 2027 release date. However, a new rumor claims there’s a problem as one key role has yet to be cast.

Brad Pitt And Daniel Craig Were Reportedly Offered The same Batman Part II Role

The Batman Part II has been putting together a star-studded cast, which includes Sebastian Stan and Scarlett Johansson. According to World of Reel, there’s at least one more role to fill that is looking for a big name, as both Brad Pitt and Daniel Craig have reportedly considered it, though both have allegedly passed. As such, the role is still unfilled. What’s most interesting is that the part isn’t a major name in the Batman canon; it’s the father of one.

All rumors, and some evidence, point to Stan playing the role of Harvey Dent, the Gotham City DA who becomes the villain Two-Face. This new rumor indicates that Harvey's father Christopher Dent will also be a major character in The Batman Part II. This is the role that both Craig and Pitt have reportedly passed on. While it might be an attempt at stunt casting, it appears that Harvey Dent’s family may actually be significant characters in the movie. It’s suggested in the same piece that Johansson’s role in the film will be as Gilda Dent, Harvey’s wife.

Why Pitt And Craig May Have Passed

It’s maybe not that surprising that both Brad Pitt and Daniel Craig passed on The Batman Part II. One has to imagine that both of them could have been part of almost any superhero movie they wanted, and yet neither of them has been part of the genre to this point. Craig was briefly attached to the Sgt. Rock movie before that film fell apart, but that movie was clearly going to be something unique, coming as it was from director Luca Guadagnino.

However, the reason both stars passed may not be because they didn’t want the part; it may simply be that neither of them is available. Craig is attached to Damien Chazelle's next project, which is expected to start filming in October, and Brad Pitt has his own big project in Ocean's 14. That movie is expected to start filming this year, and even if neither film is technically a scheduling conflict, it's possible that both actors just didn’t want to work on two big projects back to back.

One assumes that, with Brad Pitt and Daniel Craig being considered for the role of Christopher Dent, whoever is next on the list will likely be an equally significant name. Hopefully, that name can be found quickly, preventing any additional delays in production. We’ve all been waiting long enough.

It’s an often-repeated axiom that filmmaking is a collaborative art form. It’s certainly true. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of people whose creative work goes into making the movies that we watch on the big screen or at home. That said, some of the people in the collaboration tend to get noticed more than others. We always see the actors, and we might often notice the work of the costume designer. We frequently notice the work of the editor, especially if it’s particularly good (or not). But other talents are no less important even if we frequently don’t notice.

There are some skills where it’s said that, when they’re done right, you don’t notice them at all. I might have tended to agree with that idea in the broad sense, but when I recently sat down to watch Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery with my Netflix subscription, I noticed one particular element of filmmaking in a way I’m not sure I ever had before.

Benoit Blanc’s Introduction In Wake Up Dead Man Is A Work Of Art

Technically speaking, Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc is the first character we see in the movie, reading the report on the events of the story that takes up the first act of Wake Up Dead Man. However, his character isn’t properly introduced until much later, when he wanders into the church at the heart of the mystery as Josh O’Connor’s Father Jud is considering his situation.

The light is pouring into the church until Father Jud asks Blanc how the church makes him feel, at which point it’s as if the sun goes behind a cloud because the lighting temperature of the entire shot shifts into a dim gloom. Blanc, who clearly has some issues with religion, goes on a bit of a tirade about all the problems he has with it. The color of the scene remains in place until Father Jud responds, and the light returns. Check out the end of the scene here.

Is it subtle? Not even a bit. That’s clearly the point. Rian Johnson wanted people to see this, and when you do, the understanding is clear. I love the scene, but not only for its own sake, but for the way it made me think about all the other filmmaking details that we don’t otherwise think about.

Wake Up Dead Man Draws Attention To Something You Don’t Always Notice, But That Is Always Important

Lighting choices are one of those things in filmmaking that most people probably file under the “If you didn’t notice it, it did its job right” category, but the fact is that even if you don’t always register lighting choices in the cinematography, you always notice them.

Wake Up Dead Man cinematographer Steve Yedlin spoke to CinemaBlend and discussed the lighting, specifically, the creative use of which goes far beyond this scene. Lighting is a conscious choice on the part of a filmmaker at every moment. Whether it’s deciding what artificial lighting to use or what time of day to shoot in order to get as much of a certain type of natural light as possible, it’s always a choice. And that choice is always made for a reason.

Lighting is particularly important in Wake Up Dead Man, so it's handled in a way that makes you see it. That said, I'm going to use the fact that I've been woken up on this particular area of filmmaking to consider the lighting more in every movie I watch.

This coming weekend is going to be a big one in theaters. The third Avatar film is set to arrive, and considering how popular both the previous films we can expect theaters will be flooded with viewers, many of them wearing 3D glasses for the first time in years.

However, for me, the release of a highly anticipated third movie in a series happened this past weekend, and on a much smaller screen. I finally got to sit down and watch Wake Up Dead Man, Rian Johnson's third Benoit Blanc mystery, though not in the way I had originally planned. However, I did find at least one way that watching a Knives Out movie was actually better at home than in theaters.

I’m A Big Proponent Of The Theatrical Experience

The first Knives Out movie was a monster hit when it was released in theaters, which made it feel a little strange when Netflix snagged the rights to distribute the two planned sequels. However, both Glass Onion and the brand new Wake Up Dead Man did get (limited) theatrical releases.

As somebody who is still a big fan of the theatrical experience, I made a point to go see Glass Onion in theaters when it came out a few years ago. I wanted to have that same experience that I remembered so well from watching Knives Out, and it was great.

I had fully intended to do the same thing with Wake Up Dead Man. Unfortunately, sometimes life gets in the way, and I simply wasn’t able to find the time to go see the new movie before it arrived on Netflix this past Friday. While I still could see Wake Up Dead Man in theaters as of this writing, it didn’t really make sense when I could watch it at home, so I used my Netflix subscription and sat down to enjoy it.

Watching Wake Up Dead Man On Netflix Allowed Me To Engage With It In A Different Way

When sitting down to watch Wake Up Dead Man, my main concern was about my movie being interrupted. My kids were asleep down the hall, and they don't always like going to bed. Potential distractions from a movie I really want to see are a main reason I frequently won't start watching a movie at home.

Luckily, they weren’t a problem, but I still stopped the movie a couple of times very intentionally. I needed to pause it because my wife and I were clearly having thoughts about the mystery at the center of Wake Up Dead Man and wanted to talk them out.

I thought maybe the story was going to go one way, only to have that theory specifically brought up in the film, only to be disproven. My wife thought she knew “whodunit” and was pretty close, though with some significant missing details.

I didn’t stop the movie much, and those few instances were only for a minute or so each time, but it was absolutely fun to have these conversations in a way I absolutely wouldn’t have had I been sitting next to my wife in a theater. It enhanced this particular viewing experience.

To be clear, I have not become a convert to the Church of Netflix, which seems to believe that nobody actually wants to go to theaters anymore. I think theaters are great, and I still would have liked to have seen this movie there, but I was afraid that by not watching Wake Up Dead Man in a theater, I would have a lesser experience. I don't think it was better or worse. It was valuable in a different way.

Spoilers for Wake Up Dead Man are ahead! Proceed with caution if you want to keep the mystery a mystery, and stream Rian Johnson’s latest Knives Out mystery with a Netflix subscription.

In the lead-up to the release of Wake Up Dead Man on the 2025 movie schedule, I had a hunch Josh O’Connor’s character would be my favorite. As that point proved to be true, I was also pleasantly surprised by the remarkable chemistry he had with Daniel Craig in Rian Johnson’s newest Knives Out mystery. I’m not the only one who thought this, either, as fans have been having the best reactions to the actors’ chemistry in this film.

Balancing the humor with the seriousness that lives in all of these whodunnits, Josh O’Connor plays Father Jud Duplenticy, a young priest who appears to be the prime suspect in the murder of Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin). So, when Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc appears to solve this impossible crime, he works with Jud to figure out whodunnit (because they both believe it wasn’t him). This puts the Challengers actor in the place in the story that Ana de Armas had in Knives Out and Janelle Monáe had in Glass Onion, meaning he’s the detective’s right-hand man.

They were a perfect duo that fans can’t stop talking about, too. As @laurieslauence noted, they’re like:

Fans aren’t the only ones pointing out how great O’Connor is. Our review of Wake Up Dead Man called out his excellence, and critics raved about his and Craig’s work in this darker mystery.

When they’re together, they’re at the height of their powers. They complement each other perfectly, they’re both really funny, and overall, they know exactly how to balance each other out. Really, they’re like a dream duo, as @JomiAdeniran expertly pointed out by comparing them to Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant:

Fans shared some of those alley-oop moments, too. For example, the scene where they both scurry back into the church is a classic and absolutely hilarious instance in Wake Up Dead Man, as @_samepaige_ noted:

However, while they are a wonderful comedic dynamic duo, these two also make the dramatic scenes of this movie magnificent. @danielovemail wrote that the phone call scene is a clear example of this, which I totally agree with:

Throughout this movie, O’Connor’s character challenges Craig’s detective in a new and thought-provoking way. They differ in their beliefs, especially when it comes to faith, and that leads to many fascinating conversations and revelations throughout the film. It also makes for a dynamic duo, because the ways they clash help make them the ultimate complements for each other. Kind of like Sherlock and Watson, as @DaybreakReborn wrote:

“Unreal duo” is so right, and people are loving them together so much that fan edits are being made and going viral. Take this silly from @titifilms as an example:

Now, I realize that Knives Out isn’t a franchise that brings back characters from previous films. Only Benoit Blanc gets to return. However, if one were to appear again, I really hope it’s Josh O’Connor’s priest. He’s so lovable and funny, and he had astounding chemistry with Daniel Craig.

So, Rian Johnson, if you see these reactions, maybe consider capitalizing on this dynamic duo if you can, because they’re magic together.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery has finally premiered on the 2025 movie schedule and is now available with a Netflix subscription, and with it, fans of the murder mystery genre have a new adventure to go on with Benoit Blanc. Rian Johnson is clearly loving making these movies, as he’s made three in a row, and talks of a fourth have already begun. Having said that, if you have an idea for a Knives Out Mystery, don’t bother pitching it to him.

Appearing on the Awards Radar podcast, Rian Johnson confirms that, yes, people offer him ideas for future mysteries all the time, but he’ll never take one. It’s not that he thinks every idea is terrible, but he’s not going to write any idea for a film that isn’t his own. He would still love to see these good ideas become movies, however, so he has a suggestion for everybody who pitches him. He said...

As answers go, it’s not a bad one. If Rian Johnson is only ever going to do a Benoit Blanc mystery that is his idea, if anybody else has a great idea for a murder mystery, they should write it themselves. They’ll probably need to change their detective character enough to be sure he’s legally distinct from the one Daniel Craig plays, though.

Honestly, there are so many great murder mystery films, and so many different ways to do them, that it would be an easy genre to simply create a new story in. While Rian Johnson's movies often twist murder mystery tropes, his films also use those time-honored traditions. So, if somebody had an idea that started as a Knives Out concept, transforming it into something new would be fairly easy.

Rian Johnson has addressed at least one other idea for a Knives Out movie that wasn’t his. The popular suggestion that Daniel Craig should star in a movie among a cast of Muppets has been popular for years. While Johnson admitted the idea had merit, he suggested it would be difficult to make work, as it would require some Muppets to be murdered and others to be murderers, which is a fair point. Fans will need to make due with the recent Sesame Street parody to get their Muppet/Knives Out fix.

Rian Johnson has indicated that discussions of a fourth Knives Out film in the series have begun, though there is no “development” happening on the idea yet. It certainly sounds like Johnson is up for making another movie in this series. It will all come down to whether or not he gets excited enough by an idea he has, because your great idea won’t make the next movie happen. If you want to see your great idea on screen, you’ll have to do it yourself.

In the loveliest of ways, one of the Knives Out fans’ most delightful dreams came true as Benoit Blanc got turned into a Muppet named Beignet Blanc to investigate a case on Sesame Street. Now, in the lead-up to Wake Up Dead Man’s release on the 2025 movie schedule, the man behind the iconic sleuth, Daniel Craig, has reacted to this parody of his detective, and it’s delightful.

Now, while Rian Johnson said a Muppets and Knives Out movie will probably not happen, we did get a crossover of sorts. While it’s not a full-blown film like fans have been asking for, it was a delightful mystery that saw a muppet version of Benoit Blanc visit Sesame Street to figure out who ate Cookie Monster’s pie. Then, they had Daniel Craig react to it, making this all very full circle. Take a look:

First of all, I don’t think Daniel Craig would ever be recast as Benoit Blanc. However, Beignet Blanc certainly is a star in his own right, and I’d love to see the two interact. Honestly, all of this is simply wonderful. The “Forks Out” mystery is a hilarious take on Knives Out, and it gives the fans a version of what they’ve been asking for.

Then, to make matters even better, they actually got Daniel Craig to react to it, and his comments were A+. I personally love the joke he made about Josh O’Connor, who plays Father Jud Duplenticy and has been cited by critics as a highlight of Wake Up Dead Man. And while most of the James Bond actor’s comments were funny, he also seemed genuinely awestruck over this little video, as he said:

Well, that’s so sweet, and folks in the comments loved all of Craig’s reactions too. Even his Wake Up Dead Man co-star, Kerry Washington, got in on the fun, writing:

Of course, other fans thought this was “everything” too, as they posted things like:

• Daniel’s reaction is EVERYTHING!! 😍😍 -the_muttleys
• Get Daniel on Sesame St now!❤️ -jeannieoutofthe_bottle
• I’d love ❤️ to see Daniel on Sesame Street now lol 😂👏 -ebarmby
• This is all I wanted after watching the sketch yesterday 😍😭😂 -sassytinaaa
• THIS IS WHY I PAY MY INTERNET AND NETFLIX BILLS. -thetanyahayles

Between Wake Up Dead Man’s positive reviews, getting to see it in theaters and this crossover of my dreams, all this Knives Out fun has made my week. It seems like it’s also made Daniel Craig’s as well, which I love to see.

Now, if you are looking to see Beignet Blanc and the “Forks Out” mystery in full, you can watch the video on YouTube.

Then, to see Daniel Craig in action, once again, as the smooth-talking crime solver, Benoit Blanc, you can watch Wake Up Dead Man right now. It will be playing in select theaters until December 11, and then, on December 12, you’ll be able to stream the latest Knives Out mystery with a Netflix subscription.

After that, who knows, maybe someday we’ll get to see Beignet and Benoit solve a mystery together. It seems like it’d make Daniel Craig very happy, and I know the fans would just adore it.

Every now and then, the internet hands us a crossover so perfect, so unexpectedly delightful, you just have to stop what you’re doing and appreciate the craftsmanship. Today’s gift? Sesame Street dropped a full-on Knives Out parody, complete with a Muppet detective named Beignet Blanc, and it is every bit as brilliant as it sounds. It’s sharp and silly, yet somehow still feels like a loving wink at Rian Johnson’s Knives Out mystery universe.

Netflix shared the clip in an official X post, proving once again that when something goes Muppet, things only get better. The streamer captioned the video: “Beignet Blanc stars in FORKS OUT. A @SesameStreet whodunnit…” — and, honestly, the moment you see this, which you can in the video below, you’re going to know you're in for something special the moment the muppets take the screen.

The parody, titled “Forks Out,” plays out like a tiny, family-friendly Knives Out case. Cookie Monster is moments away from devouring a triple berry pie when he discovers the plate is completely empty. Oscar’s sardine pie remains tragically untouched, so clearly something sinister — or at least suspicious — is afoot. Enter Beignet Blanc, drawn like Benoit Blanc’s knitted doppelganger, complete with a Southern drawl and a serious commitment to dramatic deductions.

Blanc methodically eliminates suspects, including Cookie Monster himself (too messy), Oscar the Grouch (too proud of his sardine pie), and even name-drops Knives Out mastermind Rian Johnson. Grover, bless him, tries his hardest to be the world’s greatest detective, but Beignet Blanc stays about five steps ahead the entire time. And just like a classic whodunit, the real answer is both innocent and perfectly fitting — a twist that gives big “pastry-based Murder on the Orient Express” energy.

Rian Johnson Has Thoughts on a Muppets + Benoit Blanc Crossover

All of this arrives as fans continue to dream about the ultimate crossover: Benoit Blanc teaming up with the Muppets for a full movie. Rian Johnson himself recently explained why it wouldn’t quite work — mostly because Benoit Blanc’s cases involve murder, and the Muppets… do not. But this? This is the loophole.

A harmless little pie mystery, solved by a puppet detective who looks suspiciously like Daniel Craig? It scratches the itch without breaking either universe. It can be silly but still smart, family-friendly but still full of loving nods to Johnson’s Knives Out and sequel films. And the franchise’s creator hasn’t ruled this sort of crossover completely out, admitting, the answer would be to throw Blanc into a new Muppets movie, and that would be so much fun to see. So, come on, let’s make this happen, money people.

At the end of the day, “Forks Out” is the exact kind of joyful chaos that reminds us why the Muppets and Knives Out both have such loyal followings. Rian Johnson might never sign off on a full Benoit-meets-Muppets crossover, but if Sesame Street (new episodes streaming with a Netflix subscription) wants to keep tossing us these Beignet Blanc mini-mysteries, I’ll happily take them.

Honestly, the Muppet universe is already buzzing as Seth Rogen has a new Muppet Show special in the works for those with a Disney+ subscription, and Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Stone are teaming up for a Miss Piggy movie penned by Cole Escola. The loss of Muppets Mayhem still stings, and probably will until something big steps in to replace it.

With any luck, those two projects will hit so well that Disney ends up begging Rian Johnson to take on the next big ensemble Muppet movie. And if one of those characters just happens to be watching a Knives Out flick in the background? That’s a perfectly canon-safe way to slip Benoit Blanc into the fun.

Until then, fans can catch the recently released third entry in the mystery franchise, Wake Up Dead Man, in theaters now, before it arrives on Netflix on December 12.

Rian Johnson's Knives Out franchise is a delightful whodunit series, which occupies both theater sand the small screen for those with a Netflix subscription. The property is an anthology series, with a new cast of characters used every chapter, although they all feature Daniel Craig's Benoit Blanc. And the filmmaker recently spoke to CinemaBlend about why so little of the detective's backstory is brought to the films.

Aside from Joseph Gordon-Levitt's voice cameos, Craig's Blanc has been the only consistent part of the Knives Out series. While Glass Onion revealed his relationship with Hugh Grant's Phillip, the movies don't really focus on Benoit's personal life. As you can see above, Johnson spoke to CinemaBlend ahead of Wake Up Dead Man's release in theaters. And when asked about the backstory and if that fictional couple was still together, he shared:

Points were made. While fans might be curious to know more about Blanc, that's ultimately not what the Knives Out movies are about. Instead, his backstory is only revealed when it's relevant to his investigations... usually while connecting with the leading characters who need his help.

For Wake Up Dead Man, he doesn't share all that much, but Blanc's comments about religion seem to hint at some pain related to faith. And since he's a gay man, I have to assume that's part of this story. Later in the same interview, Johnson spoke more about what motivates Daniel Craig's character to share, saying:

This offers a peek behind the curtain on Rian Johnson's creative process for the mystery franchise. While the filmmaker revealed that he can't write Knives Out in advance due to their connection with current events, he's also only peeling back Benoit Blanc's layers when the story (and new protagonists) call for it.

In the same interview, Johnson affirmed that we shouldn't expect the detective's backstory to be fully explored in future installments. As he put it:

Clearly he's got a method to his madness, so why mess with that now? Wake Up Dead Man is the third installment of the successful series, and Rian Johnson isn't planning on ending things with a trilogy. CinemaBlend's Knives Out 3 review praised the new movie, while also highlighting how unique (and less fun) it is compared to the previous two installments.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is in theaters now as part of the 2025 movie release list, and will arrive on Netflix on December 12th. We'll just have to wait and see what Johnson plans for the fourth movie, and what we learn about Daniel Craig's character in the process.

Filmmaker Rian Johnson’s latest big screen effort, Wake Up Dead Man, is the best of the Knives Out films, at least in my mind, despite losing some of the casual humor and charm of its predecessors. The third entry’s religious subject matter and reflections on faith make it somewhat harder for fans to continue pushing for a long-gestating dream crossover movie: Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc enlisting the entire Muppets ensemble to help solve a mystery. Still, you can bet we’ll keep clamoring for it, especially now that the director addressed the idea.

Amazingly enough, Johnson actually gave the mash-up pitch idea full consideration as a self-proclaimed Muppets fan himself, but explained to THR why he doesn’t think it would be nearly as enjoyable as rabid fans believe it would be. As much as it pains me to say it, I kind of agree with his point. Here's what he said:

It's not even just a vocal desire, as fans have put together mash-up videos combining Benoit Blanc and Jim Henson's creations, mostly to positive effect. But all that is of course, just preexisting footage juxtaposed, as opposed to someone crafting an original story for the human and felt-covered characters to partner up on. That's where Johnson's hesitance rears its head, since his detective exists on a plane driven entirely by facts and reality. Meanwhile, the Muppets are the Muppets.

I don't think audiences would get too caught up or upset over a Muppet character being killed off, so long as it's someone who hasn't featured prominently before, in the way that The Simpsons has killed off background characters. (Or, hell, just kill Walter, I guess. Or make it look like he's dead.) Also, it's entirely possible that the Muppets could join an investigation regarding a human being murdered. I get that the crime itself is a sticking point, but this isn't Muppet Babies. (Unless he wanted to make a feature out of that, because I'd take it.)

Rian Johnson continued, saying why he doesn't think the alternate of the above would work either:

I can see how it might take away some of the seriousness of Blanc's past efforts if he spent a whole movie warding off Fozzie's C- puns and Miss Piggy's amorous advances. And while audiences might not care as much, as the character's creator, Johnson likely doesn't want to amend Blanc's legacy in any ways that aren't automatically positive. No good to make such thoughtful movies that could be upended by a clip of Craig attempting to make borscht with Swedish Chef.

It all comes down to this brilliant final sentiment, though, since it should 100% be the grand takeaway that everyone at Disney should be paying attention to. The Last Jedi director concluded with:

Give this man all the money! Especially now that we're in a good spot for in-development Muppet projects. Not only is Seth Rogen working on a new Muppet Show special for Disney+, but also Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Stone are teaming for a Miss Piggy movie written by Cole Escola. The sting of Muppets Mayhem's cancellation is still there, and likely will be until another new project fills the void.

So hopefully the above pair of projects will work out so succesfully that Disney begs Rian Johnson to tackle the next grouped-up Muppets movie. And that one of the characters will be watching a Knives Out movie, thus bringing Benoit Blanc into the mix in a way that doesn't break canon. In the meantime, Wake Up Dead Man is currently in theaters, with a Netflix premiere date set for December 12.

Rian Johnson has found success with different types of movies, from the neo-noir mystery Brick to Star Wars: The Last Jedi. However, more recently, his name has become synonymous with the murder mystery genre. Between the Knives Out series — the latest of which, Wake Up Dead Man, is set to hit the 2025 movie calendar in December — and Poker Face, Johnson has been a big part of repopularizing the genre, but it turns out the inspiration to do so had been bubbling for longer than we may have realized.

Knives Out was a hit when it was released in 2019, introducing audiences to Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc, the world’s greatest detective, with his Southern drawl and wonderfully flamboyant sense of style. It turns out ole Benny rented space in Rian Johnson’s head for some time before he made his debut six years ago. Ram Bergman, co-producer on the Knives Out films, told Variety the idea was born a full decade before the first movie’s release.

In fact, he said that Rian Johnson first mentioned the concept of doing a murder mystery with Benoit Blanc when he was on his first date with Karina Longworth, who he married in 2018.

It's really special that these movies were something that Rian Johnson and Karina Longworth talked about from the very beginning of their relationship and now — more than a decade later and after seven years of marriage — the Benoit Blanc mysteries have become such a phenomenon.

There’s also another pretty cool connection between Karina Longworth and Rian Johnson’s career in murder mysteries. Apparently we have her to thank for Poker Face, as Natasha Lyonne apparently met Johnson at one of Longworth’s book signings. According to SyFy, the Orange Is the New Black star said:

So not only was Karina Longworth around for the birth of Benoit Blanc, but she was apparently instrumental in the creation of Charlie Cale.

Of course, the fate of the case-of-the-week series is up in the air right now, as Peacock canceled Poker Face after Season 2. However, Rian Johnson has confirmed that he’s shopping the series around, with Peter Dinklage possibly in talks to take over the role of the human bullshit detector.

Maybe Rian Johnson should get his wife to work some of her magic with the universe to make that happen, because I like her track record so far!

If you want to revisit Rian Johnson’s murder mystery work, Wake Up Dead Man hits theaters on Friday, December 12, while Knives Out can be streamed on Prime Video and Glass Onion on Netflix. Poker Face, meanwhile, is available on Peacock, so in order to get the best prices on all of these, be sure to check out our Black Friday streaming deals.

In honor of Daniel Craig's third feature outing as master investigator Benoit Blanc, I'd love to add a Southern twahy-ang to the entirety of this Wake Up Dead Man review — really give it some pahythos and chah-rick-tahr. But no matter how much I really want to dip my tootsies in those wahtuhs, I won't. For one, that schtick would just distract from the real point, which is something that Rian Johnson's Knives Out villains are known for, and I'm no villain. Second, it would take too long.

Third, and most important for our current purposes, doing so would readily be considered a silly and flighty exercise worthy of Glass Onion's gaggle of affluent knobs. And, my friends, Wake Up Dead Man does not invest any of its time in trying to be frivolous. This is church, not Silly...ville....Station. Which is all to say that though I definitely think Johnson and Craig's third teaming is brilliant, chilling, and the best yet from this murder mystery franchise, it also loses some of the winking charms and situational levity of the first two films. Necessary or not, I wanted to laugh more.

How obvious is it that I'm wearing these molasses-covered tap shoes just so I can slowly dance around the cardinal sin of spoilers? Alas, the church bells are ringing, so let us pray. In the name of the director...

Rian Johnson puts the magnifying glass on religion, faith and community.

Lest anyone think Benoit Blanc's life story is being put under the microscope here, Wake Up Dead Man is about the quirky and interconnected congregation keeping Our Lady of Perpetual Fortitude up and running through hell or high falutin' reverands who dare challenge the almighty word of Monsignor Jefferson Wicks – brought to life by Josh Brolin. Brolin brings all the vim, vigor, piss, vinegar and vitriol to Wicks' psychologically sadistic sermons, and one of the biggest (mostly answered) questions viewers will have will no doubt be "Why would anyone put themselves through this?"

The yin to Wicks' da-a-ang is Josh O'Connor's Reverend Jud Duplenticy, who is initially optimistic when Jeffrey Wright's Bishop Langstrom assigns him to a small-town church whose clergy is tight with parishioners. (If you need instant gravitas with limited time on the set, few choices exist that are better than Wright.) Before long, Jud finds his eagerness stunted by Wicks and his subtly tyrannical rule over everyone in his church's pews. Yes, it is HIS church with a captital GTFO if you forget it.

Wake Up Dead Man applies a surprisingly measured approach to its religious subject matter. O'Connor convincingly personifies Jesus' New Testament teachings as a former boxer whose particularly notable crisis of conscience led him to God's graces – which obviously makes Wicks the hard-nosed Old Testament warlord. Benoit Blanc later arrives as the "proud heretic" who only aims to see things through the spectrum of logic and finds that there are indeed values in preaching more than just atheism.

Even beyond all of the moral-centric ways that religion can spice up a murder-mystery, it also sets an interesting stage for Wake Up Dead Man's central murder — remember somebody dies in this? — in a way that allows for certain expectations that aren't necessarily the norm for a murder investigation. Instead of What Would Jesus Do, this is more "What would Benoit Blanc do if faced with the combo of a seemingly impossible murder and a miracle?"

Another all-star Knives Out cast successfully keeps audiences guessing.

Daniel Craig is as dapper and charming as ever as the unstoppable Blanc, and he's once again surrounded by brilliant thespians working all the mystery's machinations. Beyond the aforementioned excellence of O'Connor and Brolin, we have a tabernacle of talent also filling out the list of potential suspects (and victims).

Glenn Close brings single-sighted zealotry to the role of Wicks' second-banana Meredith Delecroix, whose wandering eye is locked on Thomas Haden Church's Cubs-loving groundskeeper Samson Holt. The congregation consists of the secretly boozy town doctor Nat Sharp (Jeremy Renner); the successful and self-minded sci-fi author Lee Ross (Andrew Scott); the disabled and cure-seeking former concert cellist Simone Vivane (Cailee Spaeny); the stressed and put-upon lawyer Vera Draven (Kerry Washington); and the hopeful politician Sy Draven (Daryl McCormack).

Part of the fun of Knives Out films has become seeing the prim and proper Blanc sharing space and ideas with groups of characters he'd likely never mix it up with just for pleasure, and the same holds true with Wake Up Dead Man, even if he most closely works with Jud and the local authorities. Just watching him observe everyone else adds texture to the mystery.

Speak of the local PD, Blanc is brought to the town of Chimney Rock by police chief Geraldine Scott, played by Mila Kunis in what's arguably the least inspired casting choice. Don't get me wrong: I like Kunis and she's fine here, but the role isn't playing to either her comedic or dramatic strengths, and I can imagine others bringing something more memorable to the performance.

I appreciate Johnson stepping back from Glass Onion’s excess, but I do miss some of the silliness.

The murder and the surrounding investigation are rather miticulously laid out, with enough clues sprinkled throughout to keep audiences from falling too far behind the on-screen characters. But even when one does get a piece of the puzzle correct, there's almost always another piece waiting to be discovered that you didn't even realize was missing. In that way, Wake Up Dead Man is as fun as anything else involving church, at least to me.

However, the core concepts and themes of hellfire, damnation, judgment, shame, regret and analogous topics make it less of a joyride than Blanc's earlier cases. Which is perfectly fine, as the standalone nature of this franchise doesn't necessitate tonal similarities or a comedic balance at all. As well, the existence of Rian Johnson and Natasha Lyonne's Poker Face more than scratches the "serious + hilarious mystery" itch enough that it's not required here.

That's being objective, though, which is for the likes of logical blasphemer Benoit Blanc. Subjectively speaking, I personally wanted more laughs and merriment. But I still cannot deny that Wake Up Dead Man is a highbrow whodunnit that sets a new bar for the Knives Out franchise, as well as any other locked-room thrillers on the way, hand to God.

Despite his death in No Time To Die, we already have confirmation that James Bond will return for another movie. We know that because he's a fictional character that's part of a successful IP, and I assumed the people at Amazon knew that as well when the company acquired the franchise and hired Denis Villeneuve to direct the follow-up. And yet, there's some concerning news that writers are struggling with the follow up, and the blame is being placed on the previous movie.

Daniel Craig's final outing as James Bond has allegedly caused a lot of trouble behind-the-scenes of the follow-up movie. Here's what Radar Online had to say about the process thus far, and why the plot of No Time To Die has given the new writers a heap of trouble.

James Bond Writers Are Allegedly Struggling To Figure Out How To Resurrect 007

According to the latest report, writers working on the new James Bond film are stumped. Allegedly, they're stuck on figuring out how to "resurrect" the title character after he was blown to smithereens by missiles at the end of the previous movie. Additionally, Bond was also poisoned by Nanobots, and in a quote provided by an insider, it's left writer Steven Knight and his team in a pickle:

The issue has allegedly held up casting a new James Bond actor, as they first need to decide how to bring the character back to life. Am I the only one shaking my head in disbelief here? I feel like I've gone insane.

Since When Do We "Need" To Continue The Plotline Of A Previous Bond's Films?

While I know that Daniel Craig's Bond movies had a consistent plot thread between them, I'm not sure why that trend must continue for Amazon's first movie with the franchise. Most James Bond movies prior to that were standalone, with only a couple of the characters from previous movies carrying over.

As a fan of the franchise, I fully expected Daniel Craig's storyline as Bond to end when he left the franchise. Now that his story is done, it's completely fine to move on and start fresh with a new actor to carry on as 007. To try and tie in No Time To Die feels unnecessary, and not something I expected to see happen as a fan.

It makes me wary of the rumor, or at the very least, question why Amazon would be intent to try and make the new James Bond movie a follow-up to No Time To Die. It's possible the idea is for the movie to lean into the idea that the name James Bond is an alias, which would ruffle some feathers in the fandom. That said, long-running franchises need to be daring to survive, so I wouldn't fault the studio for trying something like that to shake things up or bring in a new type of Bond.

We'll see what updates we get on the new James Bond movie as we look ahead to the 2026 movie release schedule. Check out a vast library of the franchise's movies over on Prime Video, and see all the previous times a Bond movie didn't acknowledge the events of a previous film.

Daniel Craig knows a thing about suiting up; he played the famous 007 hero James Bond for fifteen years across five films. But it was another uniform white, plastic, and painfully stiff—that gave him a whole new appreciation for comfort. The actor famously made a blink-and-you-will-miss-it cameo as a Stormtrooper in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but it turns out the experience wasn’t quite as cool behind the scenes as it looked on screen.

Speaking on Radio Andy’s SiriusXM show in a video clip recently posted to the official YouTube channel, Craig was joined by director Rian Johnson to promote their upcoming film Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. Host Andy Cohen took the opportunity to ask about Craig’s now-legendary uncredited Star Wars role, specifically, how it felt to wear the infamous Stormtrooper armor. Craig didn’t hold back, saying:

Craig’s deadpan delivery and sarcasm didn’t hide the fact that the costume was, in a word, miserable. Rian Johnson, who directed The Last Jedi, chimed in to confirm the reality of Stormtrooper cosplay:

The Knives Out star also revealed how the whole cameo came together casually and under the radar. He recounted:

When the host asked whether the experience was exciting, Craig offered another laugh. Deadpanning, he responded:

Though uncredited and anonymous behind a helmet, Craig’s cameo became one of the more beloved Easter eggs in The Force Awakens. Fans eventually recognized his voice as the Stormtrooper in one of the best Rey moments when the trooper is Jedi mind-tricked by Daisy Ridley’s character, cementing the moment as a viral piece of Star Wars trivia.

These days, Daniel Craig is swapping out Stormtrooper helmets for a more refined look—trench coats, Southern drawls, and plenty of murder. He’s returning as detective Benoit Blanc in the third installment in Rian Johnson’s Knives Out series, set for a 2025 movie release. This time around, the mystery is promised to be darker than the last two, but also more faithful to classic whodunit structure, something longtime mystery fans have been craving. Johnson described the setup as being closer to the traditional Agatha Christie model.

Craig plays opposite Josh O’Connor, who steps into the role of the film’s central character, much like Ana de Armas did in Knives Out. While Glass Onion leaned into a flashy, layered deconstruction of the genre, Wake Up Dead Man seems poised to test whether audiences, and Blanc himself, can crack the case with only the clues provided. With early screenings already generating buzz, Craig appears to be heading into one of his most compelling performances yet.

Wake Up Dead Man ​​will have a limited theatrical release on November 26, 2025, followed by a streaming release on December 12, 2025. All you need is a Netflix subscription to enjoy the next Knives Out film

Rian Johnson’s mystery films starring Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc owe their existence to classic murder mysteries like those from the great Agatha Christie. Having said that, the films have also been very different, with Knives Out and Glass Onion both including some sort of significant twist on the genre tropes.

As somebody who loves classic murder mysteries, the twists in the previous Rian Johnson movies have been fun ways to refresh a tired genre. At the same time, the tropes of the classic whodunit are part of what makes the genre so much fun. This is why I’m so happy to learn that while the newest Knives Out Mystery, Wake Up Dead Man, will be darker than the previous mysteries, it will also be more like a classic murder mystery than the previous films. Speaking with Deadline, Rian Johnson said…

The setup of Wake Up Dead Man, at least in structure, sounds a lot like that of Knives Out. In that case, Ana de Armas played the film’s actual protagonist, with Daniel Craig’s detective only getting called in after she found herself involved in a murder. The major twist there was that the protagonist was also the killer, or at least that’s the way it seemed for the majority of the film.

In this case, Josh O'Connor will be taking on that role as the film's protagonist. Based on the Wake Up Dead Man trailer, it appears O'Connor will act as a sort of assistant to Craig's Benoit Blanc.

Both Knives Out and Glass Onion change up the traditional mystery by giving the audience more information than they usually have in this type of story. It sounds like, in the case of Wake Up Dead Man, if it is a “more traditional murder mystery structure” that may not be the case. If we get a setup that opens like Knives Out, but without that additional information, we’ll have a movie that will probably follow most of the classic murder mystery set pieces.

As much as I love the way Rian Johnson has put his own twist on the genre, I’ve always wanted to see Benoit Blanc in a more traditional mystery. If I, as an audience member, am given all the same clues as Benoit Blanc, could I solve the mystery before he does? I'd like the opportunity to find out, and the previous films haven't really given us that opportunity.. If this is the last Benoit Blanc mystery, it would be great if the final film subverts our expectations of the murder mystery by actually giving us a classic one.

When Rian Johnson released Knives Out, it was something of a revelation. The writer/ director’s take, which is equal parts homage and subversion on the classic whodunit, was a smash hit. This lead to the movie getting the green light for not one, but two sequels out of the gate. The third entry in the franchise Wake Up Dead Man is set to arrive in theaters soon, ahead of it becoming available with a Netflix subscription, but one of the biggest questions won’t be whodunit. It will be, will there be more?

It’s unclear what the odds are of getting a fourth mystery with Benoit Blanc, aka Daniel Craig’s detective who has already joined the ranks of some of the greatest in the genre. If it does happen, the movie will have to collect another ensemble that is on par with the incredible casts of the first three movies Although, when asked by Variety which actor from the previous films he would like to see return, Craig did quickly come up with a name, saying…

The cast of the three Benoit Blanc movies have been stellar, so seeing any of them return would be fantastic for the simple reason that they’re all great actors. Of course, Jamie Lee Curtis has indicated a willingness to return to Rian Johnson’s Knives Out universe, so Craig seemingly feels he has to pick her.

But let’s not pretend that seeing Jame Lee Curtis return, for whatever contrived reason one could come up with, wouldn’t be fantastic. She was stellar in Knives Out, and she was one of the characters who was especially good at not being impressed by Benoit Blanc. This would likely make her return especially exciting if it happened.

Of course, Daniel Craig follows his choice of Jamie Lee Curtis by saying that all of the casts are great and he would love to see them all return for a theoretical fourth movie. The Wake Up Dead Man cast is one to rival the others for star power, to be sure. It’s clear that Craig is as impressed with the casts in these movies as everybody else. He said…

The only thing left to wish for is more Benoit Blanc movies. I certainly hope we see more of them. One of the great things about a genre like the whodunit is that they really can go on forever. Based on the early response to Wake Up Dead Man is another great

I hope we see many more with even more incredible casts. And if they can figure out away for Jamie Lee Curtis, and maybe a few others, to return now and then, so much the better.

A number of titles on the 2025 movie schedule are greatly anticipated by cinephiles, and one of those is definitely Wake Up Dead Man. The film is the third entry in Rian Johnson’s Knives Out franchise, which centers on mystery-centric exploits of southern sleuth Benoit Blanc (played by Daniel Craig). Early glimpses at the film have suggested that this installment has a different tone compared to its predecessors. Now that the movie has been screened, that tonal change has been confirmed, and audiences seem to love it thus far.

The first teaser for Wake Up Dead Man was released a few months ago and conveyed a gothic aesthetic, and that differed from the motifs of Knives Out and Glass Onion. After the film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival this weekend, many pundits made note of the change when sharing their reactions. Collider’s Perri Nemiroff shared effusive praise for the mystery flick, calling it "refreshingly different” and heaping praise on the cast:

Another aspect of Rian Johnson’s threequel that’s been emphasized as of late is religion, which seems to play into the story heavily. Journalist Mike Ryan mentioned that element while sharing positive thoughts on the movie himself. And, while Johnson has been known to deliver some major twists in his whodunit franchise, it seems the altered tone is what caught really Ryan by surprise (in a good way):

Specific plot details on the third Knives Out movie are scarce but, based on what’s been shown thus far, Rian Johnson takes viewers to church (figuratively and literally) for a murder case that truly tests Benoit Blanc. The skilled detective seems to be in a different frame of mind this time around, at least that’s what his wild new haircut seems to suggest. Daniel Craig leads yet another star-studded ensemble, which includes Josh O’Connor, Jeremy Renner, Mila Kunis, Josh Brolin, Kerry Washington, Glenn Close, Andrew Scott, Daryl McCormack, Cailee Spaeny and Thomas Haden Church.

The ensembles have been among the greatest strengths of these Blanc movies, and it seems the third flick in the series excels in that regard as well. It’s also not uncommon for there to be a standout or two. When sharing his own reaction, pundit Scott Menzel not only praised the movie, but he singled out Josh O’Connor’s performance as well:

The first two films in Rian Johnson’s franchise are great, so he had a high bar to clear when it came to this latest one. Nevertheless, journalist Lauren Bradshaw opined that this 2025 Netflix movie release proves this IP still has some kick to it. Like some others, Bradshaw also made note of the change in tone:

Considering all of this praise, ranking these three mystery films may be a difficult feat. If you ask reporter Scott Mantz, though, he’d seemingly tell you that this newest installment is the one to beat:

As a fan of the Knives Out movies myself, I couldn’t be more excited hearing all of the strong sentiments being shared about Wake Up Dead Man. Rian Johnson doesn’t have immediate plans for the future of this franchise, as of right now. Yet, should this be the end of Benoit Blanc, it sounds like this somewhat somber film could make for a solid trilogy capper. Check out the film, which hits select theaters for a limited time on November 26, and it’ll later be available for Netflix subscription holders to stream, starting December 12.

Rian Johnson’s Knives Out series of movies continues this year with Wake Up Dead Man being among Netflix's 2025 releases. So, as we approach Benoit Blanc’s latest case, if you're wondering whether it will be the cap-off to a trilogy or simply another entry, the writer/director has offered his take on the subject.

Rian Johnson Shares Thoughts On The Future Of The Knives Out

On the heels of Johnson closing out the critically acclaimed second season of Poker Face, the filmmaker was asked about how he’s feeling about the future of his other mystery-based project, the Knives Out movies. In his words to Rolling Stone:

Now, Knives Out 4 doesn’t seem to be in development yet, but from where Rian Johnson stands, it sounds like Wake Up Dead Man will not be the end of the Benoit Blanc series. The filmmaker hasn’t stopped having fun with his original murder mystery concept, and as long as that’s central to the experience, there could be many more Knives Out mysteries ahead of us.

Johnson also told the magazine that what he ends up “chasing” when making a movie or TV show is “the experience.” And, he’s not looking to feel like he’s “eating the same thing for lunch every day” when it comes to his work. In terms of Knives Out, because he’s had the chance to play with tone and genre each time, he’s happy to keep playing within the universe. But, that being said, he also has hopes to make a musical at some point, and is currently writing a “stand-alone thing” as his “next thing.”

What’s Going On With Knives Out 3?

Here’s what we know so far about Wake Up Dead Man. Once again, Benoit Blanc will be going to a whole new setting for his next case, and this one seems to revolve around some kind of “impossible crime" that is being “dressed as a miracle” with a church being a key setting. Based on the marketing so far, Josh O’Connor seems to be a major lynchpin of the movie. Check out the Wake Up Dead Man teaser below:

Once again, the cast is very much stacked for the latest Benoit Blanc mystery, with Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, Thomas Haden Church, and Daniel Craig, of course, all being involved.

The movie will be available to watch with a Netflix subscription on December 12. And it seems like there will be more mysteries afoot in the future if Rian Johnson has anything to say about it.

As of late, Rian Johnson has become synonymous with the mystery genre for movie and TV lovers thanks to his Knives Out movies and the Poker Face series having just began its new season to the 2025 TV schedule. But what if Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc and Natasha Lyonne’s Charlie Cale teamed up at some point? Could that happen, please?

Now that Poker Face Season 2 has started over on Peacock, Natasha Lyonne actually brought up the idea herself when she was asked about the idea of Charlie Cale ever making it to the big screen with one of her mysteries. Here’s what she said:

While speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Lyonne shared her million dollar idea, and now I officially need this in my life. This is an especially exciting answer because the Poker Face star is also behind the writing, and serves as executive producer and has helmed a couple episodes of the show.

I’m particularly interested in this because I’m so curious how the two detectives would interact with the other. While Benoit Blanc is more of a straight shooter with a Southern draw, Charlie Cale is a lot more rough around the edges. I think they would definitely butt heads, which would make for a great, unlikely detective duo that's very comedic, and now I need this to happen.

Poker Face returned last week with a more “ridiculous” season and a ton more exciting celebrity guests like John Mulaney, who acts our socks off in his episode, and Wicked’s Cynthia Erivo. Oh, and Daniel Craig is also set to play Benoit Blanc again in the third Knives Out movie, Wake Up, Dead Man. Seeing both of their new cases is only going to make me want this more, I know it.

However, Natasha Lyonne's answer got a little bit wild when she joked that she also wants to get The Pink Panther involved, or at least have the late Henry Mancini score the movie. Which is, of course, impossible unless they use already composed pieces of music. All in all, Lyonne particularly has her eye on doing more roles that can be seen on the big screen. As she continued:

Did you know that Natasha Lyonne is working on an A.I.-assisted movie called Uncanny Valley? Sure, there’s often a negative connotation around A.I. being connected to filmmaking lately, but the movie is about a teen starting to lose her grip on reality due to an augmented reality video game, so I think she’s doing so for a good reason.

It's great to hear Lyonne is down for a Poker Face movie, and crossover with Knives Out, because she could actually help make it happen.

As the resident James Bond expert here at CinemaBlend, I’d like to think I’m pretty tuned into what’s going on with the adventures of 007. It’s part of why I can tell you that the 2025 movie schedule does not have plans to debut the long-awaited James Bond 26, while also feeling sad every time I do so. That’s a good time for someone like me to learn something new, and I’m really surprised that I somehow didn’t know (or forgot) about a No Time to Die scene that I didn’t know was all Daniel Craig.

Now, of course, we all know about Mr. Craig’s history with stunt-based injury from throughout his tenure in the tuxedo. But as you’ll see in the video shown below, Special Effects Supervisor and James Bond legend Chris Corbould lays out that those sick donuts the Aston Martin did in the pre-credits sequence didn’t require a stunt driver:

On the surface, this sounds like a simpler feat than one would imagine. I mean, who among us hasn’t done a donut, or at least knows someone who has? But to literally burn rubber with an Aston Martin DB5, with cameras, equipment and crew members present, and accompanied by Léa Seydoux in the passenger's seat, is an achievement that very few could probably claim to have done.

As it turns out, I have a really good reason to feel a bit sheepish about not knowing this fact, and it’s not because I pride myself on being a 00-know it all. Back in 2021, I was given the honor of attending the home video junket for Daniel Craig’s James Bond swan song on behalf of CinemaBlend.

The event saw me speak with Mr. Corbould himself, which allowed us to discuss No Time to Die’s explosive Guinness World Record set by the picture’s bittersweet finale. That part of the trip came just before I was given a thrilling ride in a Range Rover, as a stunt driver recreated a sequence from the final Daniel Craig James Bond movie, and through some rather muddy conditions.

Now you’d think that a stunning driving stunt would have entered the conversation that day, with all of these variables present. Alas, it did not. However, learning this fun fact as we’re waiting to learn which actor will be licensed to kill next feels like another appetizer that teases what’s next.

It’s like thinking you’ve run out of Bollinger champagne, only to find out that you have a bottle chilled in the console of your car. Ok, so that’s more of a Goldeneye reference than anything else, but you get the analogy. (Also, even 007 knows not to drink and drive, so let's stay smart here, ok?)

Here’s hoping we’ll hear more promising news before the year is out, as Bond 26’s rumored release window will be here before we know it. Although I'd gladly buy drinks for whomever can release the first trailer for Daniel Craig's new project, Wake Up Dead Man: a Knives Out Mystery; which is due to hit Netflix at some point in 2025.

One of the biggest questions that's been asked in Hollywood as of late is: who will be the next James Bond? Since Daniel Craig confirmed he was done with the role, the fan debates and the odds makers have been discussing the question. With all of the upheaval surrounding the James Bond franchise, it seems that there may not have been much official discussion yet regarding who might be the new Bond, but one expert thinks there’s a very good reason why Henry Cavill may have the inside track.

Author Mark O’Connell is something of a Bond expert, having written books about the character in the past. Speaking with the New York Post, he suggests that Cavill is the man to beat for the role for the simple reason that he almost landed the role once already. It’s something of a tradition for actors who are passed over once to get cast the next time around. He said…

This is certainly true as far as it goes. Pierce Brosnan also belongs on the “second time’s a charm list.” He was all set to take the role after Roger Moore stepped down, only to have to drop out due to other commitments. While that may have ended his chances to ever play a different role, it simply came back to him later when he was available.

Director Martin Campbell, who helmed Casino Royale and was part of the team that chose Daniel Craig, has spoken about how close Henry Cavill was to be cast back years ago. It’s difficult to imagine that he isn’t a major contender for the role right now.

That said, it should be pointed out that there’s a major reason that previous patterns may not play out this time around. All previous James Bonds were chosen by Eon Productions, first overseen by producer Albert R. Broccoli, and then by his daughter, Barbara. Now, Amazon MGM Studios has complete creative control over the franchise. While Eon, who is still involved, might very well lean toward the actor it didn’t pick last time, if Amazon doesn’t agree, it’s not happening.

The next James Bond movie is in the works, though it's in its earliest stages. There isn’t a script yet, as far as we know, and it seems unlikely that any casting will be discussed until all parties involved have figured out just what sort of Bond movie is being made. Maybe Henry Cavill, who was deemed too young to play Bond last time around, will be too old by the time they get around to actually filming.

If I had to describe Michael Fassbender in three words, they surely wouldn’t have been “terrible at auditions.” Unfortunately the Black Bag star has given himself that designation, and after sharing some rather interesting stories involving auditions for Mad Max: Fury Road and Casino Royale. While he may have a prime spot on the 2025 movie schedule, Mr. Fassbender’s tales of turmoil show us a time when the Inglorious Basterds breakout was still trying to make it all happen.

Michael Fassbender’s Mad Max: Fury Road Audition Was Super Awkward

Sitting with Josh Horowitz to promote Steven Soderbergh’s sexy spy offering, this episode of Happy Sad Confused feels like an embarrassment of riches in the world of embarrassment. Call it “Embarass-eption,” if you will. Recalling his story about trying out for Mad Max: Fury Road, Michael Fassbender recalled how he got lost on his way to the gig, which eventually gave way to first anecdote of awkwardness:

While it’s not specified, I’m willing to bet that Max Rockatansky was the role that our humble narrator was up for in this crazy scenario. Though at the same time, it looks like he played the part rather well in one way, as Michael Fassbender clearly wanted to “get out of the room” at his earliest convenience.

At the same time, when it comes to the man’s brush with the James Bond movies, the awkwardness doesn’t come from the audition itself. Instead it’s Mr. Fassbender’s talent for raising up his competition that put him into another funny lesson on being a working actor.

Daniel Craig Can Thank Michael Fassbender As Part Of His Casino Royale Hiring

The list of Martin Campbell’s eight Casino Royale auditions is something I’ve been trying to complete ever since he told me about its existence. And while we knew several of the actors who were on that list, partially thanks to Henry Cavill’s leaked 007 audition, the X-Men: First Class powerhouse was someone I did not have on the roster. After reading Michael Fassbender’s comment provided below, I can kind of see why:

That Magneto casting kind of makes a lot more sense now, especially with that discarded X-Men Origins script that saw the mutant rights activist hunting Nazis made its way into Matthew Vaughn’s finished product. Coincidentally that sort of viewpoint is similar to how Fassbender views Daniel Craig’s James Bond era, as he added this wonderful coda to his thoughts:

While Michael Fassbender never did ride the Fury Road, nor has he crossed the gun barrel, the man does seem to have picked out a choice resume of roles that push his personal limits. Thankfully the results are delightful to watch, which is exactly what you can do in theaters, as Black Bag shows us a very different spy in this sterling performer’s hands.

Following Greta Gerwig making Barbie an even bigger cultural phenomenon with her 2023 blockbuster, the filmmaker is currently hard at work getting her Narnia movie ready for production for the people who have a Netflix subscription to watch in 2026. Ahead of filming reportedly scheduled for this summer, casting rumors are starting to surface. After Charli XCX’s name came up for the role of The White Witch last week, Daniel Craig has become the second name to be associated with the project. However, the role he’s up for isn’t what I expected.

Daniel Craig Is Reportedly In Talks For Narnia, But As An Unexpected Character

As Deadline reported on Wednesday afternoon, the former James Bond actor allegedly “has an offer” to star in the Narnia movie. While that report doesn’t name the character he’s being eyed for, What’s On Netflix claims he’s being considered for the role of Andrew Ketterly, a.k.a. Uncle Andrew.

If your mind is running a blank over who that is, it’s probably because the character has never been adapted in the prior Narnia movies. While the Walt Disney Pictures film series started with the first book in the series, Greta Gerwig is reportedly skipping to the sixth book in the series, The Magician’s Nephew. The book was published in 1955 after the first five books, but serves as a prequel to all the other books before it. In fact, if you had the set of books as a kid like I did, it was probably marked as the first one.

Anyways, Daniel Craig’s alleged character of Uncle Andrew would be the main antagonist of the story who has a rather intriguing story. He is a self-proclaimed magician who wanders upon actual magic when his godmother gives him a magical box on his deathbed with demands for him to destroy it. He does not destroy it and uses its magic to perform experiments – which inadvertently leads to the discovery of Narnia by humans. If you recall The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe, he would have been a very, very old man or dead by the time the Pevensies find the world through the wardrobe.

I Would Have Thought Daniel Craig Would Play Narnia's Aslan

Reading about what Greta Gerwig is reportedly working on with her Narnia movies certainly has me interested, but confused on her way into the story given the book she’s starting with. I especially would have guessed Daniel Craig more as the lion king of Narnia, Aslan, especially given his commanding voice, but Gerwig clearly has a very different vision for her adaptation than what we’ve seen before. I think I’ll just trust Greta Gerwig either way, especially after what she did with one Little Women character in her adaptation.

Daniel Craig certainly has an ongoing partnership with Netflix, given his third Knives Out movie, Wake Up Dead Man, is set for this fall. It’s been a long time since I’ve read the Narnia books, but seeing Craig play a villain sounds delicious! Now we just need to hear word about Timothée Chalamet and Saoirse Ronan earning roles after they missed the boat on Barbie.

Dear friends and readers, we’re here again. As what we know about James Bond 26 has us on the hook waiting to find out what happens next, it’s anyone’s guess how the Amazon-MGM Studios/EON Productions deal will affect the franchise overall.

Admittedly it’s not a fun place to be, but we’ve seen this sort of thing happen before throughout Commander Bond’s cinematic tenure. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the 007 delays that saw a changing of the guard and what we might be able to learn from them to help understand the current turmoil.

1989 - 1995: License To Kill…And Resurrect

The first massive delay, and the one that currently holds the record for the longest run without a James Bond movie, is the gap between 1989’s License To Kill and 1995’s Goldeneye. With this period in time, the main thrust of this delay came from MGM/UA being in such financial trouble, it led to an acquisition of the studio.

Eventual buyer Pathé Communications (under the stewardship of then-CEO Giancarlo Parretti) then made a huge mistake. Per the details from lawsuits such as the one Variety reported in 1991, producer Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli sued what was known as MGM/Pathe Communications for trying to sell off the rights to the then 17 film-deep catalogue of 007 adventures, and at cut rate prices.

By the time that debacle was settled though, Timothy Dalton had gone back and forth about returning as James Bond. With his contract expired by time the dust had settled, the License to Kill star had decided he wanted to come back for just one more installment. Which led to this revelation that Dalton provided to The Week:

It all ended up leading to Pierce Brosnan’s near-casting in The Living Daylights becoming a reality for 1995’s Goldeneye. But of course, it didn’t take too long to throw things off the rails yet again.

2002 - 2006: James Bond Dies Another Day

It must have felt good to be back to the halcyon days of a James Bond picture releasing roughly every two years. After Goldeneye’s box office success, Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond would appear in three more movies, marking his exit with 2002’s Die Another Day. A widely panned, but still profitable movie, it was the end of the former Remington Steele’s contract with the tuxedo - though he was hoping to extend his time.

Unfortunately, the surprise firing of Pierce Brosnan came as he was making 2004’s After the Sunset. A confluence of other factors, like Sony’s part in the purchasing of MGM and the reaction to Die Another Day, pushed the beginning of the next chapter to 2005 - when Daniel Craig’s James Bond was officially announced through the production of Casino Royale.

For once, legal wrangling worked in the favor of Commander Bond in this respect thanks to Sony’s negotiations for Spider-Man’s cinematic rights in 1999. While Sony and MGM would break up, they’d still co-distribute the Craig Bond films until 2021’s No Time to Die, which would find itself beset by a totally different kind of problem.

2015 - 2021: Spectre And No Time To Die’s Extended Dance With Death

Things plugged along with Daniel Craig as James Bond, so much so that Quantum of Solace’s scriptless production start showed that all involved were dedicated to making it happen. But by the time 2015’s Spectre rolled around, the wait was about to grow much longer. As the physical toll of 007 wore on Mr. Craig, the delay between his final two entries had some thinking he wouldn’t return.

One final entry would bring Daniel Craig back to fulfill a request he made after the premiere of Casino Royale. After wrapping No Time To Die in 2019, the Munich actor summed it up in two words: “It’s done.” Of course, the delay on the 25th Bond adventure became even more prolonged thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down the world, and it pushed the early 2020 release into late 2021.

2021 - ???: Amazon-MGM Studios’ Big Win Throws James Bond’s Future Into Question

Even someone as resilient as Commander Bond can be difficult to resurrect. That's one of the hurdles facing the series' theatrical future, as No Time To Die threw the cinematic super spy his greatest challenge yet: permadeath.

While the continuity of 007 has always been odd to follow, the Daniel Craig era’s focus on serialization gave us an evolving story that led to an actual conclusion. Most presumed that challenge was the main roadblock between the world and Bond 26, but a new story would eventually start to unfold.

That tale is one that’s still being written as we speak, as 2021’s formation of Amazon-MGM Studios led to a fundamental misunderstanding. Much like the MGM-Pathé Communications era, the e-commerce giant’s acquisition of James Bond distributor/co-owner led to a misunderstanding that 007 was open for business, no questions asked.

In more recent times, and in the wake of the latest gigantic power shift surrounding the legendary IP, new twists have cropped up that draw a clearer picture. After years of the supposed stalemate between Barbara Broccoli and Amazon-MGM execs, a $1 bil. deal created a joint venture between the studio and EON Productions.

Ownership of the James Bond movies was split between both entities, with the biggest twist of all coming in Broccoli and co-producer Michael G. Wilson’s decision to retire and step back from the 007 legacy. Creative control now rests in the hands of Amazon-MGM Studios, which may or may not have been prompted by Jeff Bezos’ rumored position on Barbara Broccoli.

It was clear that both parties involved did not agree how to move forward, resulting in a deal that will very much define the shape of things to come. At the moment, there's been no immediate movement on how Bond 26 will come together, but the subject is of intense scrutiny. Indeed it feels like 007 fans have been brought full circle back to that first huge delay after License to Kill, with the clock still ticking and the mysteries still growing.

It's clear the 2025 movie schedule will be lacking in debonair super-spies, what with the continued changes surrounding the James Bond movies. With films like Black Bag keeping the espionage flame lit at the box office, it still isn't long before our thoughts naturally return to what’s going on with James Bond 26.

So of course, the subject is going to come up whenever someone like previous 007s Timothy Dalton and Daniel Craig are in the mix. And when it comes to Mr. Dalton’s take on the franchise shifting from the Broccoli family to Amazon-MGM, there’s quite a bit to discuss.

Timothy Dalton’s Reaction To Amazon-MGM’s James Bond Shakeup

Speaking with The Telegraph, the 1923 star let the world in on his own thoughts related to Amazon-MGM Studios’ 007 joint venture. As the studio now has full creative control over what comes next, Dalton’s thoughts on the future start with this take on casting and producer Barbara Broccoli’s influence on the franchise:

As one might guess, concerns abound about casting James Bond with a British actor, and why wouldn’t they? Timothy Dalton’s James Bond duology was one rooted in his love and understanding of Ian Fleming’s source texts. So when Dalton shared that he was sad about the departure of the producing team that kept the Bond pictures running as a true family business, it was a sentiment that carried a bit more weight than most.

That being said, his admiration for James Bond does temper his viewpoint on the matter. Let's face it, this isn't as scorched earth as Debbie McWilliams' heated 007 warning after retiring as the saga's long-time casting director.

While he does have reservations about the absence of Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson in the metaphorical driver’s seat, the Penny Dreadful alum did balance those critiques. During this reflection on the 007 saga’s pop culture imprint, Mr. Dalton offered a key advantage that Amazon-MGM Studios has when entering this new era:

Emotions are definitely running high in the wake of Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson’s retirement from the 007 legacy. But when it comes to Daniel Craig’s contribution to the subject, his focus is firmly locked in on paying tribute to this changing of the guard.

Daniel Craig Broke His Silence With Well Wishes For ‘Barbara And Michael’

Through a statement to CNN, the most recent actor to don the spy tuxedo addressed the gigantic laser in the room. Craig’s official response to the news was a brief but warm moment that showed the Casino Royale star’s fondness for Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. Here’s what he had to say:

It’s no secret that there’s a complicated relationship between the Knives Out star and the James Bond mantle. You could see that in Daniel Craig’s reservations on playing 007, as well as various other remarks he’s made throughout history. But for him to focus on wishing his former bosses nothing but the best in their retirement shows that if Mr. Craig has any outstanding issues with his time in the tuxedo, they don't spill over into the people who helped him into it.

Circling back to Timothy Dalton’s viewpoint on how Commander Bond will survive in the future, I still maintain a posture of open-minded caution. Of course, I’m just one 007 fan, and I don’t speak for everyone - and trust me, there’s a lot of varied opinions floating around right now. Get used to waiting, as we'll need to pace ourselves on the road to crossing that proverbial gun barrel one again.

In addition to the all officially announced upcoming DC movies and upcoming DC TV shows that will exist within the DC Universe franchise, there are a handful of projects for this franchise that have been reported on by reputable sources, but not yet confirmed. One of those is Sgt. Rock, which was supposed to star Daniel Craig and re-team him with Queer director Luca Guadagnino. But as of today, Craig is no longer attached to Sgt. Rock, though there’s already an award-winning actor that DC Studios may end up snagging to take his place.

That actor is reportedly Jeremy Allen White, the Emmy and Golden Globe-winning star of The Bear, which can be streamed with a Hulu subscription. THR has heard White, who’s also well known from Shameless and The Iron Claw, is among the names “making the rounds” as Craig’s replacement. So this is far from a done deal, assuming the information is accurate, but regardless, DC Studios will need to find someone soon, as production on Sgt. Rock is reportedly beginning in the United Kingdom this summer.

Should Jeremy Allen White board Sgt. Rock, this would make yet another high-profile movie for him to star in. Next up on the cinematic front, he’ll play Bruce Springsteen in Deliver Me from Nowhere, which is expected to come out sometime on the 2025 movies schedule. Then come 2026, he’ll appear in The Mandalorian & Grogu, reportedly as Rotta, Jabba the Hutt’s son. Lining up a DC movie after a major biopic and the next of the upcoming Star Wars movies keeps an impressive streak going, assuming it works out.

As for why Daniel Craig won’t appear in Sgt. Rock anymore, THR said there are conflicting reports about the reason. Some of the outlet’s sources stated there were scheduling issues with that of his wife’s, fellow actor Rachel Weisz, while others claimed that Craig “soured on the role” after Queer underwhelmed at the box office and failed to get much attention during the awards season. Whatever the case, we’ll now have to keep waiting for his comic book movie debut.

Although the DC Universe only just got started a few months ago with the release of the Max subscription-exclusive animated series Creature Commandos, we’ve already spent some time with the DCU’s Sgt. Rock. He was voiced in that series by Maury Sterling and led the US Army Infantry unit known as Easy Company in World War II, which included Sean Gunn’s G.I. Robot. Despite DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran having said that actors who voice roles in DCU projects will also play them in live action, this doesn’t appear to be the case with Sgt. Rock given all the effort being poured into finding a lead actor.

Once word comes in on who will be tapped to play Sgt. Rock in Daniel Craig’s place, we’ll let you know. For now, the DCU will pick back up with the release of Superman in theaters on July 11, 2025, followed by Peacemaker Season 2 debuting sometime in August on the 2025 TV schedule.

Easily, one of my most anticipated releases on the 2025 movie schedule is the third Knives Out movie, Wake Up Dead Man. I can’t wait to see what Rian Johnson and Daniel Craig have up their sleeves for Benoit Blanc’s next mystery, and I’m dying (pun intended) to know what roles everyone in this staked cast is playing. However, while the characters and their purposes in the story remain unknown, I have a theory about the part Josh O’Connor will play in this new whodunnit thanks to a first-look image.

In one of the first images released from Wake Up Dead Man (which you can see below), we got to see Daniel Craig back as his ever-dapper Benoit Blanc. He’s standing in a church and looking a bit shaggier than usual – which I’d like to know more about. However, more interestingly, Josh O’Connor’s character is standing right behind him, leaning against a pew.

It’s fascinating to me that in this first-look image, we only got to see two actors featured in this truly stacked cast. However, it gave me a theory. I think Josh O’Connor could be playing the central character in this Knives Out mystery who is integral to the murder and taken under Benoit’s wing.

Think about it, in Knives Out cast, Ana de Armas plays the seemingly innocent Marta who is basically attached to Benoit’s hip as he works to solve the case. She was vital in figuring out who killed Harlan, and ultimately, she was the big winner in the story.

When you think about the Glass Onion cast, Janelle Monáe’s character (sorry, spoilers) Andi/Helen had a similar purpose in the story. She is on the island to figure out what happened to her sister, and she and Craig’s detective work together to do just that.

I suspect that if Josh O’Connor is the only supporting actor featured in Wake Up Dead Man’s first image, his character could fall into this place within the mystery. He could be the lynchpin of the story and a fantastic assistant to our favorite Southern detective.

He’d be perfect for the part too! Like both de Armas and Monáe, he can do just about anything, and I expect he’ll have exceptional chemistry with Daniel Craig, as the two actresses did.

After watching O’Connor’s Actors on Actors interview with Craig, I’ve seen how funny they can be together, and I desperately need that to translate on screen in Wake Up Dead Man. I can imagine the Challengers star following the detective around in a confused and silly manner that has the potential to perfectly balance out the seemingly darker mystery – considering the film’s deadly title – Rian Johnson has planned. Honestly, they seem like a match made in actor heaven, and I think it’d be a blast to see them solving a murder together.

Of course, this is simply a theory, and anyone in this cast could serve as the detective’s right-hand witness. And while I don’t know if my dream here will pan out, I know I won’t be disappointed no matter what happens. Rian Johnson and Daniel Craig haven’t failed us with these films, and with a cast that includes O’Connor, Cailee Spaeny, Josh Brolin, Glenn Close, Andrew Scott, Kerry Washington, Jeremy Renner and many more, I’m positive we’re going to be in for one hell of an entertaining mystery.

We still don’t know when Wake Up Dead Man: a Knives Out mystery will be gracing the 2025 movie schedule, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get hyped about the return of Benoit Blanc. It’s pretty easy actually, between reflecting on the stellar Knives Out 3’s cast, and pondering what new witticisms Daniel Craig will get to deliver on screen.

However, I must admit that my enthusiasm is currently centered around Detective Blanc’s fresh look for this Netflix original three-quel. As a new photo from writer/director Rian Johnson’s latest has been released to the eager viewing public, this new round of intrigue continues to cultivate my curiosity. In fact, much as my colleague Eric Eisenberg has pointed out, this is definitely a 2025 theatrical must see.

While the usually bespoke sleuth at the heart of the so-called Knives Out mysteries has been broken in Wake Up Dead Man, I find it to be a hint that we’re not simply seeing “another Benoit Blanc case” this time around. Feel free to form your own opinion, before making sure your Netflix subscription is up to date, courtesy of this latest look at Mr. Craig's new style choices:

Comparing Daniel Craig’s sartorial style throughout his three Benoit Blanc pictures, this look matches Rian Johnson’s comments on Wake Up Dead Man’s tonal difference. As this new entry is being touted as “his most dangerous case yet,” our typically unflappable detective would be quite rattled under such circumstances.

For some reason, that’s the first scenario I thought of when asking what would cause a normally stylish man to let himself get a little rough around the edges. And that's the perfect cue to address a new fear I need to get out of the way before we go, which may or may not have come from my fandom of Daniel Craig' James Bond movies.

If this “dangerous case” involves a funeral in this church-based pot boiler, it better not be linked to Hugh Grant’s Glass Onion cameo in the slightest. Phillip is precious, and must be protected at all costs, Mr. Johnson. I don't care if this statement has somehow increased his chances of perishing in the final edit, it needed to be said.

While the greatest mystery is when we’ll see Wake Up Dead Man: a Knives Out Mystery unveil its release date, there’s at least one question I think I can safely answer. No matter what day or venue this picture is going to use to make its grand entrance, I’m going to be in front of it the first moment it’s humanly possible.

And if anyone at Netflix is reading this, I promise I wouldn't leak a super secret copy of the first trailer, were it to fall into my inbox. I'll also accept any delightful anecdotes of Daniel Craig and Josh O'Connor swapping Luca Guadagnino stories on set, as those would be a delightful substitute.

We live in a world where CGI in movies has gotten so good that it can be difficult to tell what was done practically and what was done in a computer for any given seen. While Tom Cruise may ride motorcycles off cliffs, there’s no need for him to actually do that for it to look like he’s doing that. In fact, CGI is so pervasive that it often appears in shots where you’d never expect it, like a shot of Daniel Craig holding a gun in a James Bond film.

There’s a long standing rumor that has been around for nearly a decade that there’s a scene in Skyfall in which Daniel Craig had to have his hands digitally altered to remove a set of gloves that he had been wearing because it didn’t make sense for the character to have them, since Bond’s gun required his fingerprint to function. YouTube channel Corridor Crew recently reviewed the issue and one of the show’s artists, Wren, explained the situation like this…

The recent YouTube video has VFX artists reviewing scenes from films to react to both the best and worst of CGI work. What makes their video most interesting is that it’s suggested that we’ve been looking at the wrong scene from Skyfall the whole time.

It had previously been suggested the offending scene comes from a fist fight sequence when Bond is at a casino in Macau, but here the team thinks the scene in question comes a few minutes earlier in the film when Bond is quietly moving through an empty glass office building, and holding his gun the whole time.

The reason they think this is actually the scene in question is because it includes a pretty blatant continuity error. At the end of the sequence Bond is fighting with a sniper who ends up hanging off the edge of the building, holding on to Bond’s hand, which is wearing a glove that wasn’t there in the previous shots.

This error leads the VFX artist reviewing the scene to admit that there probably is CGI in the shots, though, they admit that the CGI is actually really good, as it’s difficult to tell with the naked eye. Of course, the whole thing is made moot by the frustrating continuity error that largely ruins the hard work. Wren continued…

Whether or not the continuity error was caused by CGI or not, the fact that it exists is a bit wild. While the CGI, if there is CGI, would likely have been far more noticeable in the closeup of the hands, as is pointed out here, the shot could have been grabbed as a pick up shot using other actors without much difficulty.

While we still don’t have official confirmation of Daniel Craig’s CGI hands, and possibly never will, the evidence that this was done is stacking up.

With the most memorable 2024 movies starting to earn prestige season glory, there's been a lot of buzz around Daniel Craig’s performance in Queer. The Luca Guadagnino-directed picture has landed the man with a 2025 Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor, marking another impressive hallmark on his resume so far. That achievement is even more remarkable, considering that just Craig admitted that once his tenure in the James Bond movies had concluded, he really didn’t know what he’d be doing.

During this year’s THR Actors Roundtable interview, the Knives Out star admitted that aforementioned information. He shared that thought in the following humorous context:

Awards season conversations are the perfect outlet for talent to discuss how their professional lives have evolved over time. Having Daniel Craig be able to do just that has been quite refreshing, as his usual wit and candor have prompted him to reveal cool anecdotes. One such story revolved around him taking part in Steven Spielberg’s Munich, a project that would turn out to be instrumental to his casting for Casino Royale in more ways than one.

I can’t say I’m surprised that Mr. Craig didn’t have a plan for his post-007 career, even though having gems like Logan Lucky and Knives Out on his docket would suggest otherwise. We have to remember that until producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson started considering him for the 2006 soft reboot of Bond continuity, Daniel Craig wasn’t always the “leading man” that the industry considers him to be today.

Plan or no plan, working with director Luca Guadagnino definitely sounds like it was on the Layer Cake frontman's wish list. And, as it turns out, a pre-fame film of Daniel Craig’s had made the Challengers director a fan of his in turn. Given Guadagnino’s long-held desire to adapt Queer and his love of the movie Love is the Devil, Craig shared how this perfect-storm scenario came to be:

The experience shared between these collaborators appears to have been quite fruitful. Since Daniel Craig’s potential Sgt. Rock adaptation could see him teaming up with Guadagnino once again, we could have another director/actor pair that will jump at any chance to work together. Having that sort of relationship is always valuable to keeping one’s career in play.

And, with Craig’s Knives Out franchise offering another flavor of that sort of work, it’s pretty amazing that he thought he might not ever work again. Sitting on the edge of a potential awards win, and with Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery set to be released in 2025, it's pretty safe to put such thoughts to bed for the time being.

You can still see Daniel Craig at work in theaters, as Queer continues its run at the box office. And, if you want to relive the work of his 007 days, you can catch Skyfall via access to a Prime Video subscription.

As Daniel Craig has been promoting his upcoming A24 film Queer, he’s been asked a lot about the sex scenes he shares with Drew Starkey, because the film from Luca Guadagnino focuses on an intimate romantic relationship between two men. Throughout the movie, there are quite a few sex and nude scenes, including one that takes place outdoors in the dirt. However, the dirt was actually coffee grounds. Turns out, there was an unexpected consequence to shooting said moment in coffee grounds, and the James Bond actor shared the story behind why.

While discussing the release of Queer on The Graham Norton Show, Craig broke down this wild, dancing, nude scene that he shared with the Outer Banks star. Setting the scene by describing the backlot they were filming on, he said they were going to perform the sequence on gravel at first. However, it quickly became clear that that wasn’t the best idea:

Now, I saw Queer ahead of its premiere on the 2024 movie schedule, and I know which moment Daniel Craig is referring to. However, I don’t want to spoil anything. So, here are the basics: as the actor noted, he and Drew Starkey are naked in the scene, they do a very involved dance while nude, and it’s done in the jungle. I would imagine that filming it in gravel would indeed be painful. So, finding an alternative was the right move.

That alternative though, had consequences, because the coffee grounds that replaced the gravel ended up making him feel like he drank coffee, as the Knives Out star explained:

Immediately after Craig said that, Jesse Eisenberg – who was also a guest on the show alongside Nicola Coughlan and Kieran Culkin – enthusiastically asked if that was actually true. I had the same question.

According to the National Library of Medicine, caffeine can be absorbed through the skin, as a study about the “permeation of topically applied caffeine through human skin” detected it in volunteers' blood five minutes after it was applied.

So, I assume Craig is correct, and he likely was jittery because the coffee grounds had gotten into his system after hours of rolling around in them. While that doesn’t sound great, on the bright side, since this was a night shoot, at least they had a little pick me up, albeit an unexpected and unconventional one.

With all that said and done, if you are looking to see Queer and this scene Daniel Craig was describing, you can catch the Luca Guadagnino film in theaters now.

Warning: SPOILERS for the Creature Commandos episode “Cheers to the Tin Man” are ahead!

There are a lot of upcoming DC movies and upcoming DC TV shows to look forward to in the new DC Universe franchise spearheaded by James Gunn, which finally got underway a week ago with the debut of the animated series Creature Commandos. A few weeks ahead of the first two episodes premiering, though, it was reported that Daniel Craig is being lined up for a Sgt. Rock movie that will re-team with Queer director Luca Guadagnino. Now, upon hearing news like that, it’d probably be logical to assume that Craig is playing Sgt. Rock for such a movie… right? Well, it might not be so clear cut anymore now that the latest episode of Creature Commandos, titled “Cheers to the Tin Man”, has raised some questions.

The third installment of this series that can be streamed with a Max subscription split its time between showing the title team clashing with the Sons of Circe and their boss sorceress, and following along with G.I. Robot from World War II to his incarceration in Belle Reve in the 1990s. In the DC Universe, G.I. was part of Easy Company, the US Army Infantry unit led by Sgt. Rock. Prior to meeting Nina Mazursky, Rock and the Easy Company men were the only friends he made. Sadly, because G.I. was decommissioned after the war and ended up in the possession of various individuals, including scientist Will Magnus and a neo-Nazi named Sam Fitzgibbon, he never reunited with his “boys” to kill Nazis.

So Sgt. Rock has made his DC Universe debut, with Maury Sterling from Smokin’ Aces and Homeland voicing him. It was a minor appearance at best, but at least it establishes that he and Easy Company were active in World War II, thus planting the seed for Daniel Craig’s Sgt. Rock movie, assuming it moves forward. So what’s the problem?

Well, James Gunn, who co-created Creature Commandos and is co-president of DC Studios with producer Peter Safran, has said on numerous occasions that actors who voice characters in animated projects will also play them in live-action projects. For example, the Creature Commandos are led in this series by Frank Grillo’s Rick Flag Sr. and Grillo will reprise the character in live-action for Gunn’s Superman reboot and Peacemaker Season 2. So now that Maury Sterling has voiced Sgt. Rock in Creature Commandos, does that mean he’ll play him in the movie too rather than Daniel Craig, who would instead play a villain or important supporting character?

Honestly, this could just be a case where when Creature Commandos was being made, the Sgt. Rock movie hadn’t been thought up yet, so Sterling was simply cast because he was the best fit for the role. If that’s what happened, then James Gunn will likely make an exception and allow Craig to take over as that character. Now, one could argue that as seen above, Sterling looks closer to Sgt. Rock in Creature Commandos than Craig doesn’t, but again, Gunn could just ignore this in favor of putting the James Bond alum in the role.

I could just be overthinking this… but I also will occasionally continue pondering the subject until it’s officially confirmed who Craig is playing in Sgt. Rock. Until then, I’ll also continue to watch Creature Commandos, which drops new episodes Thursdays on Max.

As we wrap on the 2024 movies that are in contention for awards season, Daniel Craig’s role in Queer has given fans tons of opportunities to learn more about his process. And with the 2025 Golden Globe nominations only boosting his profile that much more, the stories seem to be getting bigger as well. Which leads to tough lessons that Craig fondly remembers from working on 2005’s Munich with director Steven Spielberg.

As the actor recalled in a conversation with critic Mark Kermode (via Variety), the former James Bond recapped the experience as “terrifying” with his glowing memories of the West Side Story director. Part of that story was highlighting in the following example, detailing Daniel Craig’s first shot filmed for the movie:

What’s interesting to remember from this point in time is the notion that Daniel Craig wasn’t seen as a leading man before being cast in 2006’s Casino Royale. Yet there he was, on set with Steven Spielberg, making a prestige drama that arguably helped cast him in that very role.

Of course, it kind of helped that Craig got not only the serious side of the iconic director, but also the fun side. As revealed by Munich co-star Eric Bana in a 2021 Vanity Fair video, Steven Spielberg knew that Daniel Craig was one of the actors screen tested for Casino Royale.

With that knowledge, Craig’s co-star and the former Bond directing hopeful convinced him to take the role - part of which was through shooting a scene with 007’s theme playing on set. Leading to another pleasant memory of his time on Munich, Daniel Craig's initial apprehension clearly gave way to trusting the process, and getting into gear for the whirlwind that would follow.

If it wasn’t for Craig taking the leap to make Munich, he may have never agreed to star in the semi-reboot that gave us the Bond we know today. But thanks to his eagerness to get off the pot, and the kind words of some guys at work, Daniel Craig's career was able to grow into the impressive resume it resembles today.

That body of work includes Queer, which is currently showing in theaters. And don't forget that there's also a new Knives Out mystery, Wake Up Dead Man, due out at some point on the schedule of upcoming 2025 movies. So fans aren't going to be missing the former 007 any time soon...which is why you really should learn how to pronounce Daniel Craig's name correctly.

When Daniel Craig first slipped into James Bond’s iconic tuxedo for 2006's Casino Royale, he redefined the character with a rugged physicality and emotional depth that was different from some of the womanizing portrayals in the past. While his performance was critically lauded, playing 007 took a lot out of the leading man. As Craig’s Bond films played out over 15 years, the British star took on surprisingly few non-Bond roles. Now, he's revealing why he didn’t expand his filmography much during this time, and it makes so much sense.

The 56-year-old actor recently sat down with The Times to talk about his latest film with Luca Guadagnino, Queer and his move from Bond. He left the role in 2021 after the release of No Time To Die, and has since gone on to star in the Knives Out franchise as Benoit Blanc. Watching Craig expand into other non-Bond roles has been a treat, as it truly showcases his incredible range. As for why such an expansion into other projects wasn’t really in the cards during Bond, the leading man explained:

While he was flattered that so many high-profile directors wanted to work with him, Daniel Craig was apparently much too tired to take on much outside of 007. The James Bond films are undertakings until themselves, often shooting in remote locations for long spans of time. If Craig was also starring in other films in tandem with Bond, he wouldn’t have much of a personal life, as the actor explained:

This may also give an explanation as to why Craig’s perceived vitriol towards the Bond films seemed to be widely discussed after his departure. Recently, the Skyfall star admitted to not caring at all who replaces him as the iconic character, and even was once quoted that he’d rather slit his wrists than play Bond again. He later took back some of these comments, as they were said in the aftermath of an exhausting and taxing production. Still, they showcase what kind of emotional state these movies would put Craig in, and I can understand him needing time to recover.

Even though the actor didn’t take on much else during Bond, he still occasionally chose a project to lend his talents to. He starred in David Fincher’s critically acclaimed film The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, as well as fan favorites like Cowboys and Aliens and Logan Lucky. The first Knives Out film also notably was made before Craig officially hung up his iconic 007 suit, and several stage plays have kept him busy over the years. While there were clearly exceptions, his attention was mostly on Bond, and I think this kind of focus paid off. After all, his tenure produced some of the best films in Bond history.

Also, taking time to recover and have a personal life is a good reason to take a step back from the intensity of a career like Daniel Craig’s. During his time away, he met and married fellow actor Rachel Weisz. They also had a child together in 2018, and soon after the Munich actor became an American citizen. It seems like by deliberately not taking roles, Craig truly mastered the work/life balance as a movie star. Fans might have wished to see more of him on screen during the Bond years, but Craig making a calculated choice to prioritize his health and his craft is completely understandable.

You can see Daniel Craig in Queer, which is playing in select theaters now. It is one of the buzziest films on the 2024 movie release schedule, so make sure to check it out on the big screen while you can.

Whether it’s through a 2024 movie like Luca Guadagnino’s Queer, or an upcoming 2025 movie like Wake Up, Dead Man: a Knives Out Mystery, Daniel Craig is a name people hear quite often. But apparently we’ve all been pronouncing the former James Bond actor’s name wrong for some time, and no one was the wiser. Thanks to a new late night clip that’s gone viral however, I don’t think we’ll be forgetting how to say the actor’s surname any time soon.

That’s exactly where the problem lies too, as our pronunciation of “Daniel” has been just fine. That being said, with the James Bond movie star making yet another appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Mr. Craig took the time to address the matter as follows:

The obvious joke aside, I would have never imagined that the “Craig” in Daniel Craig was pronounced in that specific manner. And yes, in reviewing my footage for our No Time to Die interviews from 2021, I admit I fell into that very trap. Should I ever get the chance to speak with the man again, I’ll now be extra sure to enter the conversation correctly.

Which leads me to something else I noted about this interview. I’d like to think that similar to how any member of SNL’s Five-Timers Club could tell you that repeated guest spots makes for comfortable familiarity, being a fixture on Mr. Colbert’s show probably grants a similar feeling. Let’s not forget, this was the venue where Daniel Craig confirmed his Bond 25 return in 2017.

You can see another example of that comfort in how Daniel Craig even starts to mention the prospect in his interview. Further engaging the further questions that Stephen Colbert offers to keep the difference straight, it's all good natured correction, as opposed to an actual blood feud. With that in mind, take a look at the clip from The Late Show shown below:

I’m sure plenty of people will be bookmarking or saving this video for future reminders on this very subject. So I wouldn’t expect the viral nature of Daniel Craig’s elocution lesson with Stephen Colbert to die down any time soon. Which is good, considering the actor’s latest film Queer is currently in limited release, with a nationwide release slated for December 13th.

As for Wake Up, Dead Man: a Knives Out Mystery, that will presumably be available for streaming with a Netflix subscription later in 2025. Unless Daniel Craig’s comments on theatrical distribution have fallen upon the right ears to make the three-quel a truly cinematic event; and I really hope they have.

With Daniel Craig making waves on the 2024 movie schedule through his Queer performance, the actor has also been taking the time to deconstruct his time as 007. With the James Bond movies officially in the rear view, the typically frank Craig has given even more insight into his view on the role and how he developed his approach. As he recently dug into one of his “biggest reservations” with slipping into the famed tuxedo, the actor also made a great point about what makes a solid Commander Bond.

Sitting down with The New Yorker to promote his latest picture, Daniel Craig once again displayed his charmingly honest persona. Admitting to one of the big caveats he kept in mind with his star-making role, Craig tied it into what he feels makes a solid James Bond with this mindset:

As a fan of the Bond franchise myself, Daniel Craig’s assessment of Ian Fleming’s character makes total sense. James Bond as a “construct of masculinity” isn’t something that can be taken seriously in reality. That’s why the character is so frequently sent up, and why it’s also so easy to do.

At the same time, if you’re playing the role, you need to treat it as seriously as you would a piece of Shakespearian theater. I’d even go as far as suggesting this is why some 007 fans aren’t totally on board with Roger Moore’s James Bond. While his acting chops were never a question, his rejection of Bond as a cold blooded killer led to some of the silliest moments in the series so far.

Some fans do favor that sort of approach though, and as we add to what we know about Bond 26 includes the whispers from some that want a more lighthearted Commander to make an appearance. Which ultimately is the best example of why the audience can be so split on reacting to various eras of James Bond history.

Depending on how you view the masculinity of a character that has been very free in his bedroom, but hasn’t suffered many (if any) consequences, your viewpoint on something like No Time To Die will vary. But at the same time, I think we should all agree that no matter what we think of Daniel Craig’s 007, the fact that he took it so seriously is a credit to the man’s time in the tuxedo.

Those of you who’d like to evaluate those pictures for yourself can do so through a Prime Video subscription, as almost all of the James Bond adventures are currently streaming at that location. As for the whereabouts of Casino Royale, you’ll need a Paramount+ subscription to dig into that chapter’s goodness.

Drew Starkey has developed quite the fanbase because of his role in Outer Banks, and now he’s breaking even bigger by starring alongside Daniel Craig in Luca Guadagnino's Queer. Now, with both Season 4 of OBX airing on the 2024 TV schedule and this new film premiering among 2024’s movie releases, the two worlds have collided. However, this isn’t the first time Outer Banks and Daniel Craig projects have crossed over, and the Rafe actor made a hilarious point about it.

Undoubtedly, the project Drew Starkey is best known for is Outer Banks. So, during an interview with MTV about Queer’s release, he was asked if he clued Daniel Craig into the world of the Pogues seeing as OBX is one of Netflix’s most binge-able shows. He didn’t do that, however, the actor did note that the James Bond performer has worked with another cast member from the series, hilariously explaining:

I must say, I’m very here for this master plan, and I hope Craig’s streak of working with the Outer Banks cast continues!

For a bit of context about all these connections, Drew Starkey, who stars in Queer with Craig plays Rafe Cameron on Outer Banks. In the Netflix series, Starkey's on-screen sister, Sarah Cameron, is played by Madelyn Cline, who was in Glass Onion with the Benoit Blanc performer.

I could totally see actors like Chase Stokes (who is in the above image with Cline and Starkey) or other OBX standouts like Rudy Pankow, Madison Bailey, Jonathan Daviss or Carlacia Grant starring in a film alongside Daniel Craig. I think The Other Zoey actor was onto something with his silly Pokémon connection, and I really hope his Queer co-star gets more than two OBX cards, if you are picking up what I'm putting down.

Obviously, the easiest way for this to happen is for the Outer Banks actors to take the path Cline took, and become part of a cast like Glass Onion. Rian Johnson has a knack for building an ensemble full of massive names and up-and-coming stars, and I could 100% see any of these OBX actors (including Starkey) as part of a Knives Out mystery.

It’s unclear how many more movies like this Johnson and Craig will make. However, considering their latest whodunnit, Wake Up Dead Man, is on the 2025 movie schedule and they’re still thrilled about these stories, I could see them making many more. Therefore, there’s time for the rest of the Outer Banks ensemble to join.

However, maybe they can take the path Starkey took too, and hop on a Daniel Craig project that is a bit smaller and wilder like Queer. The film from Luca Guadagnino follows two men as they fall for each other, and the wild journey they go on after their first meeting. Like the director’s other films, it's steamy, sexy and dramatic, and really shows off Drew Starkey’s talents.

So, there’s a lot of potential for this streak, and as a fan of Outer Banks and all the Daniel Craig movies mentioned here, I hope he continues to work with young actors like Drew Starkey and Madelyn Cline.

To see all the projects mentioned here today, and to witness the beginning of Craig building his collection of collaborations with the OBX cast (hopefully), you can stream Outer Banks and Glass Onion with a Netflix subscription, and you can catch Queer in theaters now.

Daniel Craig is no stranger to boundary-breaking storytelling and taking risks with his movie choices, especially with titles like The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Munich. His latest film Queer is also no exception. The Luca Guadagnino-directed movie follows a man who pursues a young American serviceman while in Mexico City, and it is a beautiful adaptation of the William S. Burroughs novel of the same name. The James Bond actor is the star of the sensual romance story, and recently he got candid about the importance of the sex scenes within the film.

Craig opened up about what was special about his upcoming A24 film and why he thinks the intimate scenes are imperative to the storytelling during a conversation with EW. The movie was an unexpected role for the Knives Out star, whose masculine public image was used as a tool in Queer to expand the image of LGBTQ+ romances further in the movie.

According to the actor, the physical sex scenes are important, but less interesting than the connection between the central characters. He explained:

Sexuality and sensuality are common themes and subjects explored in Guadagnino’s previous works, like the award-winning 2017 film Call Me By Your Name and this year’s Challengers. Queer feels like a continuation of this thesis from the filmmaker.

He has often explored meaningful relationships between LGBTQ+ characters and individuals experimenting with sexuality through intimacy. While this may have been new territory for Craig, he clearly understands the vision of the director, as he explained the 2024 movie schedule entry's intent further by saying:

Hollywood has become more progressive in many of its themes, especially with many of the queer storylines taking place in popular shows like The Last of Us and Heartstopper. However, true intimacy and sex scenes between LGBTQ+ characters and same-sex partners are rare on the big screen and in mainstream media.

Guadagnino, however, consistently pushes things further by focusing on intimacy within the physical and outside of it. Craig seemingly was drawn to this, as he continues to emphasize this idea whenever asked about some of Queer’s more explicit sequences.

The 007 actor is one of the most bankable leading men in the movie business, and his participation in such a film hopefully encourages more movies like Queer to be greenlit by major studios. Other leading men also have the ability to support LGBTQ+ films, especially ones helmed by artists from the community. Inclusive storytelling and representation are important, and the focus on emotionality hopefully helps audiences think more about what's beneath the surface rather than what is provocative.

You can see Daniel Craig alongside Drew Starkey in A24’s Queer, which is currently in select theaters nationwide.

We’re now in the final stretch of the 2024 movies schedule, and among the cinematic offerings arriving before November finishes is the Daniel Craig-led Queer, which was directed by Challengers’ Luca Guadagnino. This was the first time the actor and filmmaker collaborated, and apparently it won’t be the last. Word’s come in that Craig is getting an upcoming DC movie lined up that Guadagnino will helm.

This update comes to us from Deadline, which reports that Craig and Guadagnino will reunite for a movie about Sgt. Rock, the World War II soldier who debuted in the pages of 1959’s Our Army at War #83 and was created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Joe Kubert. This Sgt. Rock movie will take place in the DC Universe continuity, and Guadagnino will tackle it before his new adaptation of American Psycho, as there’s already a screenplay that’s being penned by Justin Kuritzkes, who previously penned Queer and Challengers.

The article notes that no deals have been set yet between DC, Daniel Craig and Luca Guadagnino, but if development is this far along, it sounds like the Sgt. Rock movie is pretty close to being a done deal. In the comics, Sgt. Franklin John Rock fought during World War II and led the East Company unit, and while he didn’t have any superpowers, he was a trained marksman and had higher endurance compared to an average human. He’s previously been adapted in animated projects like Justice League, Batman: The Brave and the Bold and DC Showcase: Sgt. Rock.

It’s not actually stated in Deadline’s report that Daniel Craig would play Sgt. Rock, although considering the actor’s star power, I find the chances of that not happening to be pretty slim. Still, we may want to prepare for the possibility that he’s coming aboard to play to play the lead antagonist or some other major role. Either way, while Sgt. Rock would make Craig’s first time performing in a comic book-related project, he’s certainly no stranger to action-oriented roles thanks to his five-movie stint as James Bond.

It’s also worth mentioning that there’s already been some setup teased for Sgt. Rock in the DC Universe thanks to Creature Commandos, the animated series that kicks off the DC Universe next month and will premiere to those with a Max subscription next month. Sean Gunn’s G.I. Robot is one of the show’s leading characters, and James Gunn shared on Instagram that this version of the mechanical protagonist was part of Easy Company. So not only is it possible we could see Sgt. Rock in flashbacks on Creature Commandos, there’s a good chance a live-action G.I. Robot could be featured in the Sgt. Rock movie.

Keep your eyes peeled on CinemaBlend for more news on Daniel Craig and Luca Guadagnino’s Sgt. Rock movie, including if/when it’s officially confirmed. Creature Commandos premieres December 5 on the 2024 TV schedule, and James Gunn’s Superman movie will follow on July 11, 2025.

The hottest role in Hollywood remains unfilled as the world is still waiting to find out who will play James Bond in the next movie. Daniel Craig has made it clear he doesn’t care who takes over the role, but that doesn’t mean he’s not going to have a little fun with the question.

Over the weekend was the 15th Governor’s Ball in Los Angeles and during the event, the producers of the James Bond franchise, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, were honored with the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award. Craig introduced them, and (via People) said…

It’s not reported if any of the numerous people rumored to be the next Bond were in the room, but you have to figure that anybody interested in the role was hoping that Daniel Craig wasn’t kidding. Even if a decision was made right now, it seems unlikely Craig would know, but who knows?

While it’s possible that a decision has been made and simply not yet announced, that sort of information would have almost certainly leaked by now, so the more likely scenario is that no choice has yet been made.

It’s been more than three years since Daniel Craig said goodbye to the role with No Time To Die. From the time the movie was first announced we knew it would be Craig’s last time in the role, so if Broccoli and Wilson had wanted to start their search for a new Bond, they could have done it as far back as then.

The producing duo made it clear they were in no rush to find a new Bond and that certainly appears to have been the case. There have been reports of people meeting with Broccoli and Evans but no indication that anything is moving forward. Recent comments from the head of MGM make it clear the studio would like to get moving on the next James Bond sooner rather than later, but nobody is feeling desperate quite yet.

It was five years between the release of License to Kill, the final Bond movie starring Timothy Dalton, and the announcement that Pierce Brosnan would be taking over the role, so we still have some time before this current gap becomes record-setting.

Since the next James Bond movie will not be a direct continuation of the previous era, the way the Bond movies were handled for so many years, the people making the next James Bond movie need to decide where they want to start. That may be the reason they are taking their time. Still, wherever the next James Bond is right now, he’s out there somewhere.

Ever since it was confirmed that Daniel Craig would be stepping down as the cinematic James Bond, the world has wondered who the next 007 will be. While we still have no idea when the next James Bond movie is coming, we know there will be one, and the list of rumored and potential choices for the super spy is quite impressive. But Daniel Craig is not worrying about it at all.

Craig has found a new franchise with Rian Johnson’s Benoit Blanc mysteries and he stars in the new film Queer. Alongside his co-star Drew Starkey, Variety asked Craig who he would like to pass the mantle of James Bond to, and he gave a very clear answer, it's not a question he has considered at all Craig said simply…

Daniel Craig has moved on. The man who once said he’s rather slit his writs than play James Bond again (though he would eventually return one more time after saying that), is truly done. And he’s not even thinking about the future of the role because it just doesn’t matter to him.

To be fair, even if Daniel Craig did have somebody that he thought would make a good James Bond, he likely wouldn’t say. That sort of endorsement would instantly push that person to the top of the list, and make them a strong contender even if the actual producers of the Bond franchise didn’t want them.

When somebody is eventually chosen to play James Bond Daniel Craig will be asked by everybody what he thinks of the choice. He may even have an opinion at that point, though whether or not he even says anything in public is an open question. Craig himself has only ever said that he thinks the role should be open to non-white actors, though he and others have stopped short of saying James Bond could be a woman as many have hoped.

It’s been three years since No Time to Die, the final Bond movie from Daniel Craig. And while there have been plenty of rumors regarding who might be the next James Bond, including rumors that the choice has already been made, nothing has been officially announced. It certainly doesn’t look like anybody is in a hurry to get to work on a movie even though the franchise is incredibly successful, which means there's box office money just sitting on the table. Two years ago we were told a new Bond movie was probably two years away. Obviously, that hasn't happened.

While there’s no indication that a new Bond will be announced soon, with every passing day the odds of it happening go up slightly. At some point, we will have a new James Bond and a new James Bond movie to enjoy. Daniel Craig will probably enjoy going to see it without having to be in it.

While his time as James Bond concluded three years ago with the release of No Time to Die, Daniel Craig has another recurring character who’s been keeping cinema lovers entertained in recent years: the charming Southern detective known as Benoit Blanc who solved elaborate murders in 2019’s Knives Out and 2022’s Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. Benoit will be back in our lives when the threequel Wake Up Dead Man opens next year on the 2025 movies schedule, although it remains to be seen what kind of theatrical rollout is will have following Glass Onion’s limited screenings. For his part, Craig is hoping Wake Up Dead Man, i.e. Knives Out 3, gets a much bigger release on the big screen compared to its predecessor, and I’m definitely in agreement with him on this.

To provide some context, although Knives Out was distributed by Lionsgate as a wide theatrical release, Netflix acquired the rights to the next two movies in March 2021. As a result, Glass Onion played in the United States’ three largest theater chains (AMC Theaters, Regal Cinemas and Cinemark) from November 23-29, 2022, and was then released to Netflix subscription holders a month later. When Variety asked Craig if he thinks Wake Up Dead Man should play in theaters for longer than a week, he answered:

A one-week run in theaters is standard for Netflix movies, although oftentimes these don’t happen in the aforementioned theaters chains, but in smaller multiplexes, which made the rollout for Glass Onion such a big deal. It still remains the only time the streaming company has given such a wide release to one of its movies. So if it were up to me, that alone would be enough to guarantee Wake Up Dead Man get the same treatment at bare minimum.

More importantly, like Daniel Craig says, Wake Up Dead Man lends itself well to a family-centric theatrical experiences. Both Knives Out and Glass Onion were critical darlings, so it stands to reason that a lot of people would come out in droves to see the third installment from writer/director Rian Johnson. This isn’t to say that Wake Up Dead Man needs a whole 90 days in theaters, but maybe Netflix could reach a new agreement that keeps it around for two-three weeks this time. That way there’s more flexibility with being able to see it on a big screen rather than be confined to a one-week window. And if you’re not interested in heading to the theater to see Knives Out 3, you can always just wait for it to hit Netflix.

Wake Up Dead Man plot details are being kept secret for now, but one thing that has been an open book is the cast. Daniel Craig will be joined this time around by Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner (who had a cameo of sorts in Glass Onion), Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack and Thomas Haden Church. It remains to be seen when the movie will specifically open in 2025, but when that information is revealed, as well as if it will get its own special theatrical rollout, we’ll let you know.

It pains me to say it, but there’s still no 007 adventure scheduled for the roster of upcoming 2025 movies, or any time in the foreseeable future. Because of that reality, some fans are wondering when we’ll see the next era of James Bond movies finally get underway, as it’s been almost three years since the release of No Time To Die.

Even in the wake of such impatience, I’d like to say I’m a fan who appreciates the fact that producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson are still taking their time. That approach is especially valid when considering the time crunch that led Quantum of Solace to become one of the least acclaimed entries in Daniel Craig’s James Bond movies.

However, when I spoke with Broccoli and Wilson in a previous interview for CinemaBlend, their true feelings on the Casino Royale follow-up were shared. I have to say, I couldn’t agree more with what Barbara Broccoli had to share when I mentioned director Marc Forster’s maligned film, as she shared the following:

Further along in our conversation, Michael G. Wilson seconded the thoughts that flowed between his half-sister/co-producing partner and myself. As we’d continued to hammer home how Quantum of Solace set up crucial story beats that were eventually crucial to the rest of Craig’s James Bond arc, Wilson’s agreement was expressed clearly in conversation.

That’s not as easy of a feat as one would think, as Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have been the stewards of the franchise patriarch Albert “Cubby” Broccoli helped co-producer Harry Saltzman originate with 1962’s Dr. No. Whenever a new 007 adventure is released, it’s very much tied to the family brand. So when a movie takes chances like David Harbour’s “insane” Quantum casting or shooting the 2008 James Bond movie without a finished script, the results are going to be personal no matter how they turn out.

Continuing the thread of Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) and her presumed betrayal of 007, Quantum of Solace kind of gave us the hypothetical sequel to another previously undervalued entry, On Her Majesty's Secret Service. In a sense, Bond's quest for vengeance is practically what we could have seen had Diamonds are Forever not disregarded the film that came before.

As we'd also discussed George Lazenby's solo James Bond outing in this very conversation, I could tell that Barbara Broccoli’s pride in Quantum of Solace’s finished product was genuine. Through the experience of shepherding this series, as well as seeing her step-father in action while working in EON Productions' publicity department during the Roger Moore era, she's as ready to admit when something doesn't work as anyone else is.

That sentiment isn’t a totally off base gesture either, as fans throughout the 007 community have been reappraising this picture to a positive effect. While I’m sure there’s plenty of other parties that will continue to devalue the presence of Quantum in the James Bond canon, I’m happy to continue defending it, much as Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have.

Whether you’re trying to agree or disagree with this sentiment, you can currently stream Quantum of Solace with an active Prime Video subscription. While you’re watching, keep in mind Olga Kurylenko’s Quantum of Solace harrowing stunt experiences, especially the one she encountered during the boat based showdown. That’s yet another angle to appreciate in this overlooked James Bond experience.

There are long-running movie franchises, and then there's James Bond. Generations have grown up watching 007's adventures, with Daniel Craig's Bond movies coming to an end with No Time to Die. Since then, fans have been wondering who might replace Craig, and take on the mantle of the MI6 agent with licence a to kill. One Bond actor recently got real about returning post-Daniel Craig, and now I’m nervous.

The ending of No Time to Die killed off James Bond, to the surprise of moviegoers. Fans have been waiting to see which actor might take on the role of 007 next, although Eon Productions haven't given any indication. While some fans assumed that other supporting characters from Craig's run (some of which are streaming with an Amazon Prime subscription) could return, Q actor Ben Whishaw recently spoke to BBC (via Deadline) about the future of the franchise, and cast doubt on whether or not he'd be back. As he put it:

Well, now I'm bummed. Daniel Craig's run as Bond was wildly successful, and the supporting cast definitely deserves credit in that regard. That includes Judi Dench's M, as well as Ben Whishaw's take on Q. But it sounds like the Paddington actor isn't convinced he'll be back whenever the next 007 movie arrives in theaters.

Later in that same interview, Whishaw further explained his thoughts about the future of the Bond franchise, and whether or not he'll be playing Q in the future. While he's got a realistic approach, it sounds like he'd love to get the call from Barbara Broccoli and company. In his words:

It sounds like the Mary Poppins Returns actor is just as clueless about the future of James Bond as the rest of us. Perhaps this means that Eon is taking its time developing its new vision for the spy movie franchise. After all, mums been the word since No Time to Die hit theaters back in October of 2021.

This space between movies might help to give fans time to miss James Bond and his adventures, therefore buoying excitement for the next movie (whenever it might be). But I really hope that Ben Whishaw and his co-stars like Ralph Fiennes and Naomie Harris get to return as M and Moneypenny respectively. They gave fresh new performances in the Daniel Craig movies, so hopefully they get to continue playing those roles. While we wait for news, check the 2025 movie release dates to plan your next trip to the movies.

The 2010s were a transformative decade for movies as directors like Damien Chazelle, Greta Gerwig and Jordan Peele hit the mainstream, and many actors exploded into stardom or gave career-defining performances in movies like theirs. Now, it’s time to celebrate some of the best films of this decade and the performers who starred in them. 

Emma Stone – La La Land 

This ode to Old Hollywood and modern romance from Damien Chazelle is widely beloved in part because of Emma Stone's performance. If you go back to reviews for La La Land, you’ll see Stone and Ryan Gosling praised for their work as they played Mia and Sebastian, two aspiring artists who fall in love with each other. Notably, Emma Stone won her first Oscar for the film because of the wonderful performance she gave as the up-and-coming actress. 

Kristen Wiig – Bridesmaids

When it comes to Bridesmaids and all its hilarious lines and gags, we all need to say a collective thank you to Kristen Wiig. Not only did the Saturday Night Live alum lead the stellar ensemble cast of this 2011 flick, but she also wrote the movie with Annie Mumolo, and they got an Oscar nomination for it. 

Mahershala Ali – Moonlight

Moonlight, which famously won Best Picture in 2017, is a coming-of-age film that follows Chiron through three stages of his life, focusing on him exploring his sexuality and identity. In it, Mahershala Ali plays Juan, a man who has a pivotal role in Chiron’s early life. Famously, Ali won his first Oscar for his moving performance in this film. 

Daniel Kaluuya – Get Out

Get Out is considered one of the greatest horror movies of all time, and it marked the directorial debut of Jordan Peele. While this film about the deeply dark turn a trip takes after a white woman brings her Black boyfriend home to meet her family is career-defining for its director – as he’s gone on to become quite the name in the genre – it also marked a major breakout for Daniel Kaluuya who played the film’s lead, Chris. 

Amy Adams – Arrival 

Arrival is unquestionably one of Amy Adams’ best movies, and to this day, folks are still livid that she wasn’t nominated for an Oscar for it. She plays Louise, a linguist assigned to decipher and translate an alien language. However, as Arrival’s ending makes abundantly clear, there’s way more to it than that, and one of the major reasons this movie works is because of Adams’ masterful, emotional and nuanced performance. 

J.K. Simmons – Whiplash

In Whiplash, one of J.K. Simmons’ best films, he plays a brilliant and brutal jazz conductor and instructor named Terence Fletcher. During the film, Miles Teller plays a young drummer named Andrew who is determined to become great, and his intense relationship with Terence and the notion of being the best is what makes Damien Chazelle’s film magnificent. On top of its overall acclaim, Simmons also won an Oscar for his performance.

Hugh Jackman – Logan 

Logan was Hugh Jackman’s last ride as the Wolverine, and it was basically perfect. While he’s returned to the role since in Deadpool and Wolverine, Logan still serves as a wonderful conclusion to the iconic X-Man’s story. It was also a game-changing Marvel film, as it brought a level of grit and intrigue that we hadn’t really seen in a movie from this universe before. 

Ben Affleck – Argo 

Much like Good Will Hunting, Argo marked a major milestone in Ben Affleck’s career. It was one of the films that solidified him as a top-tier director, and on top of that, he also starred in the film about a CIA agent disguised as a producer who goes into Tehran on a mission to save a group of Americans. Oh, also, the film went on to win Best Picture at the Oscars too. 

Jesse Eisenberg — The Social Network

The Social Network cast is stacked, however, it wouldn’t be what it is without Jesse Eisenberg’s performance as Mark Zuckerberg at its center. His nuanced performance which is somehow both collected and chaotic compliments Aaron Sorkin’s fast-talking script perfectly, and he expertly helped build up tension in the film that director David Fincher is known for. All around, that made for a perfect, heart-pounding drama about the rise of Facebook.

Leonardo DiCaprio – The Wolf Of Wall Street  

While Leonardo DiCaprio has a long list of career-defining performances, and he and Martin Scorsese have made many great movies together, you can’t deny that his portrayal of Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street tops that list. 

Brie Larson – Room

The film Room, which is about a mother and her son escaping captivity, is masterfully led by Brie Larson, who plays Ma. Both she and Jacob Tremblay, who played her son Jack, were praised for their performances, and in 2016, the actress won an Oscar for her work. 

Daniel Craig – Knives Out

Now, I know that Daniel Craig’s tenure as James Bond was still happening in the 2010s. However, an equally important and brilliant role he took on was as detective Benoit Blanc in Rian Johnson’s first whodunnit Knives Out. Now, after leading the cast of Knives Out, Craig has gone on to reprise his role as the Southern detective on multiple occasions, because he loves it and so do we. 

Ryan Gosling – Drive

If you look over Ryan Gosling’s best movies, on one side you’ll find his brilliant comedic films – like Barbie and The Nice Guys – and on the other side, you’ll find his stoic and dramatic performance, like the one he gives in Drive. Put simply, Drive wouldn’t work without the actor’s lead performance, because the entire film hinges on him and his abilities. 

Ryan Reynolds – Deadpool

After years of working to get it made and some well-timed leaked footage, finally, in 2016, Deadpool came out and we got to see Ryan Reynolds in his element as the Merc with a Mouth. 

Casey Affleck – Manchester By The Sea 

In a film about a man returning home to reckon with his past and grief after losing his brother, Casey Affleck gives an emotional and commanding performance. Not only did he win an Oscar for his work in this drama, but it’s also one of the big defining roles of his career. 

Chris Evans – Captain America: The Winter Soldier 

Chris Evans began and ended his tenure as Steve Rogers in the 2010s. While all his outings as the star-spangled man with a plan were excellent, nothing tops his performance as Cap in the political thriller that is the Russo brothers’ Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which is easily one of the best Marvel movies ever made. 

Ralph Fiennes – The Grand Budapest Hotel 

Under Wes Anderson’s precise direction, Ralph Fiennes occupied the pastel world of the Grand Budapest Hotel with grace and style. His fast-talking M. Gustave went on quite the adventure in this film, and he won over the hearts of audiences with his quick wit, smooth charm and impeccable work ethic. 

Natalie Portman – Black Swan 

Throwing it back to the beginning of the decade, Darren Aronofsky’s 2010 psychological thriller Black Swan showed us Natalie Portman’s talents in a new light. While she had been on the scene and in big movies for years, this film marked a major milestone in her career as her performance as a tortured ballerina got her an Academy Award. 

Matthew McConaughey – Dallas Buys Club

Obviously, for a couple of decades before this, Matthew McConaughey was known and beloved for fun movies like Dazed and Confused and How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days. However, in 2013, Dallas Buyers Club marked a notable shift in his career. Not only did he win an Oscar for this dramatic turn as a man who finds out he has AIDS, but he also went on to star in acclaimed projects like Interstellar and True Detective one year later, cementing himself as a magnificent dramatic actor with serious range. 

Jennifer Lawrence – Silver Linings Playbook

Yes, Jennifer Lawrence leading The Hunger Games cast is one of the biggest triumphs of her career. However, amid all of that, she starred in the beloved dramedy Silver Linings Playbook with Bradley Cooper, and that’s the film for which she won her Oscar. This magnificent film about two people learning to live and thrive through grief and mental illness, is a thoughtful and funny film that Lawrence steals with her amazing performance. 

Brad Pitt – Moneyball 

Moneyball is the story about the general manager of the Oakland A’s using his business savvy and what little money his team had to assemble a rag-tag team of MLB players. Brad Pitt plays said manager, Billy Beane, and I mean it when I say the movie really wouldn’t work without him. He’s at the center of it, and he carries it to victory just like his character did with the A’s.  

Chadwick Boseman – Black Panther 

We sadly lost Chadwick Boseman way too early, however, his legacy will live on forever. This is in part because of his performance as the King of Wakanda, T’Challa. Black Panther was a historic moment in modern movie history, and his incredible take on the titular hero is a big reason why. 

Margot Robbie – I, Tonya 

Before I, Tonya, Margot Robbie was beloved for her supporting and ensemble roles in films like The Wolf of Wall Street and Suicide Squad. However, one of the movies that helped solidify her as both a leading lady and super producer was I, Tonya. She played Tonya Harding and produced the film under the banner of her company LuckyChap – which went on to make films like Barbie and Promising Young Woman. 

Florence Pugh – Midsommar

Florence Pugh exploded onto the scene with the haunting Ari Aster film Midsommar. The movie is now considered one of the best horror movies of all time, and a big reason why is Pugh’s performance. 

Saoirse Ronan – Lady Bird

Talk about a dynamic duo. Greta Gerwig and Saoirse Ronan are a match made in heaven, and that was solidified into fact when the actress played the titular Lady Bird in the director’s breakout film. Not only did fans fall in love with Ronan’s performance as the defiant teenage gal, but she also received wide acclaim and an Oscar nomination for it. Plus, it was the beginning of a glorious partnership between her and Greta Gerwig as they then went on to make Little Women together. 

Timothée Chalamet – Call Me By Your Name

These days, when people think of Timothée Chalamet, they likely think of him as Paul Atreides, the leader of the Dune cast. However, before that (and in a different decade) the film that sprung him into the mainstream was Luca Guadagnino’s Call Me By Your Name. The deeply romantic and tender coming-of-age drama was led beautifully by Chalamet, and since then he’s taken on more roles that have helped cement him as one of the top-leading men of his generation. 

Anna Kendrick – Pitch Perfect

If you were a kid in 2012 (like I was), odds are you learned the “Cups” song. The movie about college acapella was a phenomenon in the early 2010s, and it served as a big breakout leading role for Anna Kendrick. Not only was she funny as Becca, but everyone also became aware that she had the singing voice of an angel.  

Lupita Nyong’o – 12 Years A Slave

Lupita Nyong’o’s first feature film was 12 Years A Slave. Her performance in the movie by Steve McQueen won her an Oscar in 2012 and solidified her as a top-tier dramatic performer. Since then, she’s gone on to star in massive blockbusters like Black Panther and A Quiet Place: Day One. 

Joaquin Phoenix – Joker

There have been many amazing takes on the Joker, and Joaquin Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck was a totally new one. In Joker, we see the villain’s origin story, and it’s a film that’s unlike any other DC project. The haunting performance ultimately won the actor an Oscar, and he reprised the part again in Joker: Folie à Deux.

Charlize Theron – Mad Max: Fury Road

The movie is named after Mad Max, and he’s great, don’t get me wrong, but Furiosa steals the show. Charlize Theron’s performance as the driver in Mad Max: Fury Road is fierce and jaw-dropping, and she’s one of many reasons why George Miller’s movie is considered one of the best action films. 

Michael Cera – Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

You can’t have Scott Pilgrim vs. The World without a perfect Scott Pilgrim and that’s who Michael Cera is. He perfectly played the awkward yet heroic protagonist in Edgar Wright’s beloved film, and to this day, it's considered some of his best work.

Matt Damon – The Martian

This Ridley Scott movie is literally about one man who is stuck on Mars. Yes, there are other people in the film trying to save him. However, overall, The Martian is Matt Damon’s movie. He plays the stranded astronaut and scientist, and the heart, charisma, intelligence and even humor he brings to the space drama is unforgettable. 

All around, the 2010s were full of films that are on their way to becoming all-time classics, and it’s in part thanks to the brilliant actors who starred in them. 

There has been a lot of talk about "nepo babies" over the last few years, and while it may seem like every actor has famous parents. That is hardly the case though, of course. Many of our favorite actors come from much more humble roots. So let's celebrate those stars with this list of actors who came from blue-collar backgrounds. 

Sarah Jessica Parker

Growing up in Ohio Sarah Jessica Parker had a huge family, with seven siblings and step-siblings. She's talked about how there were times her parents struggled to pay the bills and were even on welfare for a time. Though her mom ran a nursery and her stepdad was a truck driver, they still found a way to support Parker's show business dreams and eventually moved to New York so she could star on Broadway. 

James Dean

James Dean is one of the most tragic stories in Hollywood history, and his upbringing was pretty rough too. His father left when he was a toddler and his mother supported the two of them as a single mother during The Depression. That is until she passed away when Dean was only nine. He moved to Ohio and lived with his aunt and uncle where things stabilized for him. After graduating high school, he moved to LA and embarked on his all-too-brief career. 

Maisie Williams

Though she found fame at early age with Game of Thrones Maisie Williams' family struggled when she was younger. She was raised in a council house (public housing in the UK) until she was cast in the hit HBO show at age 12. 

Jeremy Strong

Jeremy Strong may play a scion to one of the wealthiest families on TV in Succession, but in real life, he had a much more humble upbringing. Strong grew up in the blue-collar area of Jamaica Plain in Boston and his father was a guard in juvenile jails in town. Eventually the family moved to the more upscale town of Sudbury, where he went to high school and discovered acting. 

Samuel L. Jackson

For most of his career, Samuel L. Jackson was a blue-collar actor working as much as he could. That makes with his upbringing as the son of a single mother who worked in a factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Shania Twain

Shaina Twain is best known as a country singer, of course, but she's done a little acting over her impressive career as well. It's a career that has taken far away from her humble roots outside Toronto, Ontario, where the family struggled. Those struggles led to her finding gigs as a singer at a young age and the rest is history.

Samantha Morton

Samantha Morton had a rough upbringing in the UK. Nine of her formative years were spent in foster care when her parents, who were addicts, weren't able to care for her. She had a couple of scraps with the law herself but started getting acting work in her teens and it all came together. 

Dolly Parton

There is no more revered person in Hollywood (or Nashville) than the great Dolly Parton. She's often talked about her humble beginnings in rural Tennessee as one of 12 children. She has always praised how her mother kept the family together through hard times and when Parton was 18 she moved to Nashville and hit the big time pretty quickly as a songwriter and a singer. 

Adam Driver

Megalopolis star Adam Driver moved around a lot as a kid, living all over from San Diego to Indiana. His stepfather was a Baptist preacher, but he was mostly raised by his mother in Indiana. After the September 11th attacks, he joined the Marines and served, like many other actors have over the years, for a few years before being discharged for a medical reason and starting his acting career. 

Al Pacino

Al Pacino grew up mostly in the South Bronx, and anyone from New York can tell you that the South Bronx in the '40s and '50s was a tough place to live. By his own admission he got in trouble a lot, as often happens with kids with hard working parents. Even as a actor early in his career he couch-surfed with friends until he started landing gigs regularly. 

Dax Shepard

Dax Shepard's family experienced the American Dream, according to the actor and podcast host. His mom worked at GM while he was growing up near Detroit and the family struggled, but as he got older, his mom's career grew and she moved up the ranks from janitor to executive, so by the time Shepard was in high school, she was quite successful. 

Ice Cube

Any fan of N.W.A. knows about Ice Cube's roots in South Central LA as the son of a janitor and a groundskeeper. As a result of desegregation, Ice Cube had the opportunity to get bussed out of Compton and out to the suburbs, where he thrived in English class, something he would make good use of later in life as the principal lyricist for one of the most successful rap acts of all time. 

Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson, who has won the famed EGOT, was raised with her two siblings by a single mother on the South Side of Chicago. She started working in local theater at a young age and famously worked on the Disney Cruise line before auditioning for American Idol in the show's third season, which was, of course, her big break. 

Mel Brooks

The legendary Mel Brooks, like so many of his generation, was the child of immigrants. He was raised very poor in Brooklyn surrounded by people who worked in the garment industry. Instead of following in their footsteps, he went into show business and the world is luckier for it. 

Joan Crawford

Screen legend Joan Crawford would die a very rich woman, but she started life as the daughter of a construction worker in Texas. After her parents split up and her mother remarried, her stepfather got in trouble in Texas and the family moved to Kansas City where Crawford attended Catholic school as a work student. 

Jim Carrey

At one point Jim Carrey was the highest-paid actor in Hollywood, which is far cry from his humble beginnings in and around Toronto. For a time, Carrey has admitted, they were even homeless. Eventually his father found more stable employment and after dropping out of high school Carrey worked on his stand up routine and took shifts at a nearby factory. 

Misha Collins

Supernatural star Misha Collins grew up working class in Boston and he has said in the past that his family spent some time unhoused. He was lucky enough to gain admission to a prep school, which led him to the University of Chicago and eventually an internship at The White House during the Clinton administration before he concentrated on his acting career. 

Rosario Dawson

Rosario Dawson has been a part of two of the biggest franchises in Hollywood, Star Wars and the MCU. It wasn't always the big time for her though. Her mother was a teenager when she was born and never married Dawson's father, but did marry another man, from whom Dawson takes her last name. He was a construction worker first in New York and later in Texas. 

Jessica Chastain

Though she doesn't talk much about her upbringing, we do know that Jessica Chastain's stepfather was a firefighter and that her family life was a struggle growing up. She grew up in Sacramento with four siblings, though she lost one to suicide when she was in her early 20s. Chastain started acting as a kid and her career would eventually take off and she would become one of the most beloved and acclaimed actors of her generation. 

Daniel Kaluuya

Born of Uganda immigrants in London, Daniel Kaluuya was raised on a council estate in one of the city's most famous blue-collar areas, Camden. He didn't know his father growing up, but he excelled in school and started acting in plays while there. he started landing paying gigs in his teens and the rest is history.

Hilary Swank

Though she has humble roots as the daughter of an army soldier, Hilary Swank grew up in a stable household and even after her parents split up when she was 15, her mother moved with Swank to the LA area so she could try her hand at Hollywood. That bet paid off as Swank has been one of the best actresses around for decades. 

Charlie Chaplin

It could be argued that Charlie Chaplin was the first bonafide superstar of the silver screen. While he would eventually become Hollywood's biggest star and one of the most financially successful moviemakers of his era, his childhood was a hardscrabble upbringing in central London. His parents had no capacity to raise children and he bounced around reform schools and other group homes as a kid before finding his way, first in the theater then later in silent films. 

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez famously grew up "on the 6," meaning the 6-Train through the Bronx in New York City. Her father had a job as a computer technician and Lopez had a solid, yet definitely blue-collar upbringing. 

Woody Harrelson

Woody Harrelson has starred in some of the best roles in Hollywood over the last four decades, and one of them, Woody Boyd on Cheers, reflected his actual blue-collar roots in Indiana. The story of Woody Boyd and Woody Harrelson are pretty similar, as both were raised in rural Indiana. Harrelson was famously locked up in prison for most of his upbringing, and he eventually died in prison after Harrelson's career had taken off. 

Viola Davis

Viola Davis was actually born on plantation in South Carolina, if you can believe it. She was raised mostly in Rhode Island, however, but it was a hard upbringing which has described of being very financially unstable. 

Daniel Craig

Daniel Craig may be famous for playing suave, debonair, and sophisticated characters, but that's nothing like his upbringing. His father was a construction worker and bar manager, though Craig does have aristocratic ancestors. 

Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix (and his late brother River) had a wild upbringing. His parent were part of a cult called the Children of God and Phoenix spent much of his early life living in South America as his parents traveled as missionaries for the religious group. Eventually, the family left the cult, adopting the name "Phoenix" as a sign of their rebirth as a family in a new life.

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey is famously one of the richest people in Hollywood, but that's not how she started out. Her mother was a teenager in Milwaukee, but before long Winfrey found herself in Nashville living with the man she considers her father. While still a teen in Nashville, she started working in radio, which would eventually lead to her media empire. 

Bella Thorne

The whole reason Bella Thorne became a professional actor was to help support her family growing up. After her father was killed in a car wreck when she was ten, Thorne's mother was left to raise four children on her own. It was a tough upbringing, but the acting gigs started coming more and more often and got her big break on the Disney Channel's Shake It Up in 2010. 

James Caan

James Caan was in some of the best movies in Hollywood history. The list of Caan's best movies is incredible. His father was a deli meat salesman and he grew up in the blue-collar neighborhood of Sunnyside, Queens, in New York City. He found acting while he briefly attended Hofstra, where he would also meet Francis Ford Coppola, who would give the role of Sonny in The Godfather years later. 

Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez was raised by a single mother who had Gomez when she was just 16. Gomez has never been resentful, it seems, and credits her with raising her under such trying conditions. Gomez caught the acting bug at a pretty young age and ws soon landing shows on kids shows, leading to the insanely successful career we all know and love. 

Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington had the definition of a blue-collar upbringing as the son of a beautician and an employee of the water company in his hometown of New York City. His parent worked hard to make sure he got a good education and after graduating from Fordham, he embarked on one of the most successful Hollywood careers of all time. 

Most actors don't just come out of the woodwork and immediately get awards attention, box office success and global stardom. Many start out taking bit parts in big movies or supporting character gigs opposite more successful performers. From Academy Award winners like Charlize Theron and Viola Davis to superhero stars like Tom Holland and Ben Affleck, here are 32 now-famous faces you might not remember popped up in famous movies before they were big. 

Matt Damon

In his movie debut, a very young Matt Damon can briefly be seen in 1988's Mystic Pizza as Steamer Windsor, the younger brother of Adam Storke's Charles, the clean-cut, country-club love interest of fun-loving pizzeria waitress Daisy (Julia Roberts). Steamer is present at an awkward dinner where Charles brings Daisy home to meet the family. 

Viola Davis

In the 1998 crime comedy Out of Sight, which is undoubtedly one of Steven Soderbergh's best movies, Viola Davis has a small role playing Moselle Miller, the wife of boxer Maurice "Snoopy" Miller (Don Cheadle). She would later go on to act alongside her Out of Sight co-star Jennifer Lopez in another crime flick, 2015's Lila & Eve.

Philip Seymour Hoffman

The 1992 Martin Brest melodrama Scent of a Woman memorably stars Al Pacino as a blind retired colonel and Chris O'Donnell as the prep-school student hired to watch over him, but it also features Philip Seymour Hoffman in one of his earliest performances as a fellow student named George Willis, Jr.

Carey Mulligan

The Bennet household is a bustling one in Joe Wright's 2005 adaptation of the Jane Austen classic Pride and Prejudice, so much so that you might have overlooked that — along with the likes of Keira Knightley, Rosamund Pike and Jena Malone — a teenaged Carey Mulligan is one of the Bennet sisters. (It's just one of many movies that prove Mulligan should be a much bigger star.) 

Elijah Wood

Long before he embarked on a quest to destroy the One Ring as Frodo in The Lord of the Rings, Elijah Wood was a successful child actor in films like The Adventures of Huck Finn, The Good Son, North and Flipper. However, before those starring roles, the pint-sized performer showed up as "Video Game Boy #2" in Back to the Future Part II.

Octavia Spencer

The 1999 Drew Barrymore comedy Never Been Kissed is jam-packed with unexpected actor appearances, from Jessica Alba to James Franco — together they play a dopey but popular high school couple — to Octavia Spencer. The latter plays a coworker of the main character Josie Geller (Barrymore) at the Chicago Sun-Times. 

Timothée Chalamet

With everything that goes on in Christopher Nolan's Interstellar — you know, that whole part about the astronauts who have to travel through a wormhole near Saturn in search of a new home for humankind — viewers may have forgotten that a fresh-faced Timothée Chalamet as Tim, the teen son of Matthew McConaughey's Cooper. 

Brie Larson

Well before she received an Oscar or donned a superhero cape, Captain Marvel star Brie Larson was a tween actress who had a main role in the short-lived WB sitcom Raising Dad. One of her first big-screen gigs, however, was as a popular Six Chick in the 2004 Jennifer Garner favorite 13 Going on 30. (Don't feel too bad, Mark Ruffalo didn't remember her either.) 

Charlize Theron

If you're a fan of The Wonders, you no doubt remember band members Guy (Tom Everett Scott), Lenny (Steve Zahn), Jimmy (Johnathon Schaech) and the bass player (Ethan Embry). However, you may not so readily remember that Charlize Theron is also in That Thing You Do!, as Guy's ex-girlfriend Tina, who leaves him for her dentist. 

Joe Manganiello 

Before making the ladies sweat in the Magic Mike franchise, Joe Manganiello was making Peter Parker sweat for an entirely different reason in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man film series, playing the high-school bully Flash Thompson. His character dated Kirsten Dunst's Mary Jane before she ended up with Spidey himself (Tobey Maguire). 

Seth Rogen

The titular teen protagonist of Donnie Darko (played by Jake Gyllenhaal) doesn't just have to deal with those disturbing visions of a rabbit-costumed man named Frank. He also has to deal with a pair of high school bullies, one of whom is played by Seth Rogen in his first ever movie appearance. 

Amy Adams

The Steven Spielberg-directed crime comedy Catch Me If You Can featured several now-well-known actresses before they were household names, including Ellen Pompeo, Elizabeth Banks and Amy Adams. The latter acted opposite Leonardo DiCaprio (played teenage con artist Frank Abagnale Jr.) as Brenda Strong, a young hospital worker who falls for Frank and his fraud. 

Keira Knightley

Given her uncanny resemblance to Natalie Portman, it's only fitting that a teenage Keira Knightley appeared as Sabé, a handmaiden and royal decoy for Portman's Padmé Amidala in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. Even Knightley herself could use a reminder about who she played in the space trilogy!

Michael Fassbender

Years before memorable film roles in Inglourious Basterds, Jane Eyre, the X-Men movies and his Oscar-nominated turn in Shame, Michael Fassbender made his film debut in the 2006 action epic 300. He played the character of Stelios, a young, spirited and highly skilled Spartan soldier fighting under Gerard Butler's King Leonidas.

Sandra Oh

"Gupta? Mhm. Mhm. Mhm. The queen is coming!" It's one of the most memorable lines uttered in The Princess Diaries and it's said by none other than a pre-Grey's Anatomy Sandra Oh. Joining Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews in the beloved cast, Oh plays the humorous vice principal at Mia Thermopolis's school. 

Margot Robbie

Before her big breakout in The Wolf of Wall Street — and even longer before she painted the world pink with the phenomenon that is Barbie — rom-com fans got their first introduction to Margot in the 2013 romantic dramedy About Time. Robbie plays Charlotte, a woman that the main character Tim Lake (Domhnall Gleeson) is crushing on before he meets his true love, Mary (played by Rachel McAdams).

Joaquin Phoenix

The 1989 Ron Howard-directed comedy Parenthood already has a stacked cast — Steve Martin, Rick Moranis, Keanu Reeves, Mary Steenburgen and Dianne Wiest, to name a few — before you even remember that one of the youngins in the movie is played by a teenage Joaquin Phoenix, then going by his birth name Leaf.

Samuel L. Jackson

It's hard to remember a time when Samuel L. Jackson wasn't a major movie star, but in the 1970s and '80s, the iconic actor was racking up bit parts in big titles, including Eddie Murphy's Coming to America. In the 1988 rom-com, Jackson plays a character known as "Hold-Up Man," an armed robber who has held up the local fast-food restaurant called McDowell's five times. 

Kristen Stewart

Though she has been acting professionally since grade school, Kristen Stewart didn't become a global star until she played moody teen Bella Swan in 2008's vampire romance Twilight. But years before that, she played a memorable part in the 2002 David Fincher thriller Panic Room, appearing opposite Jodie Foster as her character's daughter. 

Dakota Johnson

\Dakota Johnson had her big Hollywood breakthrough leading a beloved book-to-film adaptation, as Anastasia Steele in the erotic Fifty Shades film series. But she actually showed up in another huge movie five years earlier: 2010's The Social Network, as a college coed who spends the night with Sean Parker, played by Justin Timberlake. 

Gabrielle Union

Before she led the Clovers to cheer competition victory in 2000's Bring It On, Gabrielle Union was given supporting roles in '90s teen favorites like 10 Things I Hate About You and She's All That. The latter was actually her film debut, in which she appeared as popular girl Katie, a member of Zack Siler's (Freddie Prinze Jr.) friend group. 

Nicolas Cage

Technically, Nicolas Cage wasn't in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. But Nicolas Coppola was — when he made his feature film acting debut in the 1982 coming-of-age comedy, the actor was still going by his birth name. However, the Oscar-winning star would later change his name professionally to avoid nepotism allegations. (He is, of course, the nephew of director Francis Ford Coppola and actress Talia Shire, and a cousin of director Sofia Coppola and actor Jason Schwartzman.)

Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp memorably made his big-screen debut in the 1984 horror film A Nightmare on Elm Street, but movie fans might not remember that a short while later, he also appeared in Oliver Stone's war film Platoon as a young soldier fighting in the Vietnam War alongside the likes of Charlie Sheen, Willem Dafoe, Tom Berenger, Forest Whitaker and Kevin Dillon. 

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman has had a prolific acting career ever since she was a tween, starting from when she starred as the young protégée of a hitman in the 1994 action film Léon: The Professional at only twelve years old. Though that was an instantly memorable introduction to the performer, you might have forgotten that only a year later, she worked alongside screen greats like Al Pacino and Robert De Niro in the Michael Mann-directed classic, Heat. 

Tom Holland

He's most famous for spinning webs as Spider-Man but long before that, Tom Holland was making his film debut (and making audiences weep) in the 2012 disaster drama The Impossible, as a young boy desperately trying to reunite with his family following a horrific tsunami. 

Vince Vaughn

The heartwarming 1993 sports drama Rudy — about a young man (Sean Astin) who dreams of playing football at the University of Notre Dame — features an ironic pair of film-acting debuts. It was the first movie roles of both Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn, playing teaching assistant D-Bob and tailback Jamie O'Hara, respectively. That duo would famously go on to star in the 1996 buddy comedy Swingers. 

Ryan Gosling

Another early football role for a Hollywood heavyweight, a young Ryan Gosling already had some big TV gigs under his belt (The Mickey Mouse Club, Young Hercules) before he appeared as Alan Bosley, the wiry cornerback of T. C. Williams High School's football team in Remember the Titans. And if you remember that locker-room singalong, you know the little Goose had charisma even then!

Mila Kunis

Yes, that is a mini Mila Kunis in Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves — she played a friend of Wayne Szalinski's (Rick Moranis) niece, who throws a house party once it seems like all of the grown-ups have left for the evening. (Instead, the adults have been accidentally zapped to microscopic proportions, naturally.) 

Daniel Craig

Before he was Bond, James Bond, Daniel Craig was Ballard, John Ballard, in the 1998 historical drama Elizabeth. The British actor portrayed a priest-slash-assassin who conspired with the Duke of Norfolk (Christopher Eccleston) to overthrow Queen Elizabeth I (played by Cate Blanchett) from the throne. Of course, Bond would never treat the Queen of England that way!

Jake Gyllenhaal

Given that filmmaking is a family business for Jake Gyllenhaal — he is the son of film director Stephen Gyllenhaal and screenwriter Naomi Foner, and the younger bro of the great actress Maggie Gyllenhaal — it's not a shock that the actor started young. He made his film debut at age ten in 1991's City Slickers, playing the son of Billy Crystal's character Mitch Robbins. 

Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington is best known for playing crisis management expert Olivia Pope in the ABC drama series Scandal, but more than a decade earlier, she showed off her fix-it skills as Chenille Reynolds in Save the Last Dance, helping Julia Stiles's character Sara better integrate into their South Side high school and hip-hop culture at large. 

Ben Affleck

Like his famous best friend Matt Damon, Ben Affleck also began his acting career as a child and while eagle-eyed moviegoers no doubt remember spotting him in early-'90s films like School Ties and Dazed and Confused, they may have forgotten his uncredited early cameos, such as "Basketball Player 10" in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie. 

Accents are incredibly difficult and to be clear, this isn't knocking any of the people on this list's acting talents. Some of the best actors in the world often struggle with accents. In fact, everyone on this list should be praised for taking the risk and even attempting one. That said, this is still a list of actors with bad accents in a role. 

Dick Van Dyke – Mary Poppins

Quite possibly the most notorious of an actor messing up an accent is Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins. The Midwest native's take on a London Cockney accent is... rough. The rest of his performance is legendary, of course, but boy, it's rough to hear him talk sometimes. 

Keanu Reeves – Bram Stoker's Dracula

Keanu Reeves is an icon, but let's be real, some of his acting performances in the past haven't been the best. The most glaring example is his performance in Bram Stoker's Dracula. It's a stilled example of an English accent that comes across as really unconfident. He's much better in the John Wick movies, to say the least. 

Don Cheadle – Ocean's Eleven

Don Cheadle is one of the best actors in Hollywood and is proof that even the best get it wrong sometimes. His cockney accent in Ocean's Eleven is brutal. In a way, it can be excused, as everyone in the movie is just chewing the scenery the whole time, but still, you expect more. Especially because we've all seen him do amazing accents like in Hotel Rwanda, a movie so good you never want to see it again. 

Daniel Craig - Knives Out

This one might get some pushback from fans – and I am a huge fan of Daniel Craig and Knives Out – but the accent is distracting. Cajun accents are tough, so for even attempting it, Craig gets credit, but he's been much better at other accents, like his straight southern accent in Lucky Logan. 

Kevin Costner – Thirteen Days

Thirteen Days is one of the best movies about the Cold War we've ever seen, but Kevin Costner's Boston accent isn't what makes it great. Costner's performance outshines the accent, but it's still pretty distracting, as it's way off. Boston accents are hard to do, so we'll forgive him. 

Tom Cruise – Far And Away

Another one of the most notorious accents in Hollywood history is Tom Cruise's attempt at an Irish accent in Far And Away. The movie itself is a lot better than its reputation would have you believe, but Cruise, one of the biggest movie stars of the last few decades, has a rough go of it. He's not alone in that, either. 

John Malkovich – Rounders

John Malkovich's career is filled with amazing, and often over-the-top performances. Maybe his most over-the-top is that of the Russian "KGB" in Rounders. His accent is presumably supposed to be Russian, but wow, who knows what it really is? It's wild, that's for sure. He even joked to co-star Matt Damon that he is a "terrible actor," which, of course, is false, even here. 

Brad Pitt – Meet Joe Black

This one is on the list because it's a popular choice as one of the worst ever, but I'm here to defend it...sort of. His Cajun patois is not great, that's true, but, for one, that's a really hard accent to nail, and some have defended it. It also could be argued that it fits his character to not quite understand how to speak normally, as he talks about in other parts of the film. Pitt gets a pass here. 

Mickey Rooney – Breakfast At Tiffany's

In one of the most indefensible roles in the history of Hollywood, Mickey Rooney's bad accent is actually the least offensive part. You can argue about 1961 being a different time, but it wasn't that different, and having Rooney play an offensive caricature of a Japanese man was called out even at the time for how offensive it was. 

Julia Roberts – Michael Collins

The beloved Julia Roberts has been in some of the best movies of the last 30 years. Michael Collins isn't a bad movie, but it's also not among Roberts' best films. While she can usually be counted on for great performances, her Irish accent here misses the mark. 

Anne Hathaway – One Day

Anne Hathaway is an Oscar winner for good reason. She's consistently great in her movies, and in roles that range from rom-coms to comic supervillains. In One Day, she adopts a British accent...sort of. It's not bad when she nails it, but it's wildly inconsistent. 

Brad Pitt - Seven Years in Tibet

Seven Years In Tibet is an underrated movie in my opinion. In all honesty, I don't know if Brad Pitt's accent is truly bad, or if it's just really annoying. I tend to think it's a combo of both. Her performance otherwise is great, and the movie's visuals are stunning, making it well worth suffering through the iffy accent. 

Jack Nicholson – The Departed

This is one that might get some pushback, but I think Jack Nicholson's Boston accent in The Departed is terrible. Given all the great accents in the movie, some by Boston natives, some not, this one really sticks out as not being all that great. Nicholson is awesome as the menacing Frank Costello, but he should have just played it straight. 

Angelina Jolie – Alexander

Okay, what in the ancient world is going on here? Angelina Jolie's accent in Alexander is just wild. It's sort of Greek, sure, but we're not even sure what the ancient Greeks sounded like, so why even go here with this acting choice? Jolie is a wonderful actor and director, but this is not her finest moment. 

Emma Watson – The Bling Ring

Emma Watson's biggest accent sin in The Bling Ring is how inconsistent it is. Maybe the hardest part for an actor is staying consistent, but this one still needs to be highlighted here. A Valley Girl, Watson is not. 

Ewan McGregor – Black Hawk Down

Black Hawk Down has an amazing cast, many of whom are not American, all playing American servicemen. To be honest, all the accents in the movie, from Orlando Bloom, Tom Hardy, and others are a little dicey. It probably isn't fair to only call out Ewan McGregor, but it's not his finest work, either. 

Kevin Costner – Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

What can be said here? It's the bad accent that beats them all. Kevin Costner's accent (or sometimes lack of) in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves has been knocked ad nauseam over the years and there isn't much more to say about it. It's not just poor, it's not even there sometimes. 

Cameron Diaz – Gangs Of New York

Let's be clear, Cameron Diaz is not alone with her poor accent in Gangs of New York. Leonardo DiCaprio isn't at his best, either. It's maybe a little more striking in Diaz's case though. It's hard though, when you are going up with Daniel Day-Lewis, who probably spent months and months perfecting his American accent for the role.  

Blake Lively – The Town

If you're not from Boston, it had be a deceptively difficult accent to master. It's not as simple as dropping the Rs, though that is hard to do consistently also. It's also the long vowels and other more nuanced parts of the accent that make it very tricky. Blake Lively is great in The Town, but her accent leaves a lot to be desired. 

Vanessa Hudgens – The Princess Switch

In one of the weirder choices on this list, Vanessa Hudgens decided to go with what is ostensively a British accent in The Princess Switch when she easily could have just gone with her regular accent. Sure, she needed to differentiate herself from...herself as she was also playing the other role in the movie in this Parent Trap-like movie, but still, she was a princess of a fictional country, the accent could have been anything 

Scarlett Johansson – Don Jon

Scarlett Johansson is from New York, and is an excellent actor. That's why it's such a surprise that she missed with a New Jersey accent in Don Jon. Once again, it's an example of a great performance losing a point or two because of the dodgy accent.

Jared Leto – House Of Gucci

Most of the actors in House Of Gucci struggle a little with the Italian accents. Jared Leto, however, sounds like a cartoon character. It's more like Mario than Paolo Gucci. I give him props for trying, heck I give them all props for trying, but it just doesn't work. 

Mel Gibson – Braveheart

I have a lot of problems with Braveheart. The history is notoriously poor, and the acting by Mel Gibson is so over the top, that it's comical, hence all the memes, right? Often lost in that is how sketchy Gibson's Scottish accent is in the movie. 

Quentin Tarantino – Django Unchained

Quentin Tarantino is arguably the best director of the last 30 years with nine (or ten, depending on how you count Kill Bill) great movies out of nine directed. Django Unchained is no exception, but you can't excuse the Australian accent Tarantino tries to pull off in his acting role in the movie. It's not good - and it's not like he's a bad actor, either. 

Harrison Ford - K-19: The Widowmaker

With all due respect to the Gods of the 1970s and '80s, I don't want to besmirch the great Harrison Ford. Sadly, I have to for his messy attempt at a Russian accent in K-19: The Widowmaker. We all love Ford's gruff voice, but it's better when he sticks with his natural accent. 

Nicole Kidman – Far And Away

Tom Cruise gets a lot of gruff for his Irish accent in Far and Away, but that shouldn't distract from Nicole Kidman's sketchy work. The Aussie struggles as much as the American in the film. 

Alan Rickman - The Butler

Alan Rickman, who is one of my favorite actors ever and responsible for some amazing performances, has one of his most uneven in The Butler as President Ronald Reagan. It's not just the accent, though that is part of it. He speaks weirdly softly and it feels like a shallow performance, which was unlike Rickman, most of the time.  

Michael Caine - On Deadly Ground

The great Michael Caine has but one accent – the Michael Caine Accent. It's so iconic, that it's as imitated as Christopher Walken's. When he gets away from it, it gets a little bizarre, as it does in On Deadly Ground. Now, the semi-retired Caine is co-starring in a Steven Seagal movie, so you can't blame him for really going over the top, even if he misses. 

Brad Pitt – The Devil's Own

In The Devil's Own, Brad Pitt makes a go at an Irish accent. I'll always applaud Pitt for going for tougher roles, but he really does struggle with accents, and here is no exception. It is distracting, but I appreciate that he goes for it. 

Jennifer Lawrence – Red Sparrow

As the winner of one Oscar and owner of three more nominations, Jennifer Lawrence is clearly one of the best actresses so far in the 21st Century. Red Sparrow is not her best work though. The movie is surprisingly boring, and her Russian accent, while far from the worst here, is in and out throughout the whole film. 

Ana De Armas – Blonde

Make no mistake, Ana De Armas made a bold decision to play not only an American actress but one whose voice is very familiar to movie fans everywhere, Marilyn Monroe. Blonde was a challenging choice for the Cuban actress and for that she should be celebrated, but when the brass tacks were down, her accent was not the best part of her performance. 

Charlie Hunnam – Green Street Hooligans

If you want to understand how hard accents can be, look no further than Englishman Charlie Hunnam's attempt at a cockney accent in Green Street Hooligans. While Hunnam is English, he's from Newcastle, not East London, and boy does it show. Hunnam was decent doing an American accent in Sons of Anarchy, but he doesn't kill the cockney accent here, in fact, he's so inconsistent it's distracting in an otherwise super fun cult classic. 

We officially know that Knives Out 3 is titled Wake Up Dead Man. Obviously, we also know Daniel Craig will be returning as the beloved detective Benoit Blanc and that Rian Johnson is writing and directing the film. However, we have no idea who will make up the cast of their third whodunnit. Considering the legendary cast of Knives Out and the incredible ensemble of Glass Onion, we’re 100% in for a treat. However, while we wait for official casting news, fans are proposing their own dream ensembles, and the movie called them out for being “unhinged.”

Following the Wake Up Dead Man news, fans went crazy on social media sharing their ideal ensembles. So, the film’s official X account posted this:

While unhinged is a fitting adjective for these suggestions, they’re also kind of genius, and I think Rian Johnson should be taking notes as we wait to learn more about Knives Out 3.  

For example, he should really acknowledge Super Yaki's dream cast, which included Willem Dafoe, Regina Hall, Jack Black, and yes, The Muppets. For a while now, dream Knives Out 3 casts have included The Muppets, and I for one, am here for it. @TheHorizoneer is also here for the beloved puppets being part of the mystery as they posted a photo of them with the caption:

Unhinged? Yes, of course. But also, I could 100% see it. 

Other folks chose their casts based on ensembles they just really wanted to see together again. And I gotta say, these are inspired:

• @bigmonkeong wants Ryan Gosling, Russell Crowe, Angourie Rice and Margaret Qualley, AKA the cast of The Nice Guys.
• @_anandamonae wants to reunite the cast of the live-action Scooby-Doo, and who wouldn’t want to see Matthew Lillard, Linda Cardellini, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. together again?

Some fans had very specific casting in mind. Not only do they know who they want in the movie, but they also know what roles they’d play. 

Personally, I’m kind of hoping @faistclub’s wild idea to cast two of the biggest up-and-coming names as rich siblings ends up in one of Rian Johnson’s whodunnits:

Meanwhile, @colormejorge had a brilliant idea to have Meryl Streep play Benoit’s mother. One of the iconic Glass Onion cameos was Hugh Grant playing Daniel Craig’s character’s partner, and I’d love to meet more of the detective’s loved ones. We know The Devil Wears Prada star thrives in a mystery, because she killed it in Only Murders in the Building and is coming back for another season, so let’s get her involved in another silly whodunnit. 

While all this might be a bit unhinged, it’s also genius and not impossible by any means. Rian Johnson and his team have managed to defy casting expectations in both Knives Out mysteries by casting massive A-listers – like Jamie Lee Curtis, Chris Evans, Dave Bautista and Kate Hudson – and rising stars – like LaKeith Stanfield, Ana de Armas and Madelyn Cline. I expect Wake Up Dead Man to have an equally impressive and unexpected cast. 

However, while we wait for official news on that front, I’ll be enjoying these “unhinged” ideas and rewatching Glass Onion with a Netflix subscription.