It was very sad to hear about the passing of screen legend Sam Neill this month. I’m a huge fan of many of his movies, and I’m also a huge fan of the James Bond franchise, but it wasn't until I read a story after his death that I learned he'd auditioned for the role of 007 back in the 1980s. The audition came after Roger Moore left the role after A View To A Kill. He even did a screen test in a scene from what would become.

Now, I’m a fan of the underrated Dalton era of Bond. I think the Welsh actor was given too short a leash, being replaced by Pierce Brosnan after just two movies, but I would have loved to see Neill in the role, and I think we missed out.

Neill Auditions Before Dalton Got The Role

Over the years, eight men have played James Bond, and after the Roger Moore-era ended with A View To A Kill, it was time for producer Cubby Broccoli and the rest of the production team to find the first new Bond in over a decade. Broccoli really wanted Pierce Brosnan to take over the role and offered the part to the actor who would eventually become Bond in the mid-’90. Unfortunately, he was tied up with his TV show, Remington Steele, and they couldn’t make it work. That meant a big search for who would replace Moore.

One of the actors who auditioned and screen-tested was Neill. At the time, before Jurassic Park and The Hunt for Red October, Neill was still somewhat unknown to much of the movie-going public. However, after watching his screen-test (and loving both of those movies), I can’t help but wonder, “What if?” Would Neill have been a popular Bond? Would it have meant we’d have missed out on those roles in Jurassic Park and Red October? It’s impossible to know for sure, but in a perfect world, maybe we get it all.

I’ve Never Been A Fan Of The Brosnan Movies

If I’m totally honest, the Brosnan-era of James Bond has long been my least favorite. It’s not that I think Brosnan is bad in the role, but the movies are just so cheesy. They all have that ‘90s sheen of slickness that is really off-putting. For me, they are the most dated-looking of all the Bond movies, and that’s saying something for a franchise that is over 60 years old. However, I think the two Dalton movies are by far the most underrated of all the Bond movies.

So, while I wouldn’t want to live in an alternate timeline without a Dalton Bond, I wouldn’t mind seeing what could have happened with Neill in the role over Brosnan. Interestingly, though, Neill himself said that he didn’t want the role, at least in part because Brosnan was gunning for it. Quite the conundrum. Personally, though, I think we missed out on something pretty cool.

We still don’t know who will be the next 007 in the yet-unnamed James Bond 27. As it was before The Living Daylights, there are tons of rumors about who the next actor to drink martinis and flash his Walther PPK handgun will be. Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for all the updates!

The James Bond movies are one of the most popular movie franchises of all time, with generations brought up on 007's adventures. Following Daniel Craig's Bond movies, fans are curious about how the franchise will continue, and which actor will be the next one to play the martini-sipping MI6 agent. One name that's been tossed around online is Millie Bobby Brown's Enola Holmes co-star Louis Partridge, who recently confirmed that playing the role "did cross" his mind. And honestly, I can kind of see it.

Bond 26 will be produced by Amazon and directed by Denis Villeneuve, and moviegoers are eager for news about its casting. There were reports that the studio wanted to cast a younger actor as 007, and Partridge has become a popular name online. During an interview with The Independent over his role in Enola Holmes 3 (streaming with a Netflix subscription) the 23 year-old actor spoke about the Bond rumors, saying:

It sounds like playing Tewksbury in the Netflix movie might have accidentally set him up to bring James Bond to life. Partridge isn't confirming that any casting talks have happened behind the scenes, but he doesn't seem opposed to playing the beloved MI6 agent. We'll just have to keep being patient and hope that news is coming about casting sooner rather than later.

It's unclear how young the next 007 will be, but a former Bond casting agent thinks it has to be more of a newcomer actor rather than an established one like Jacob Elordi. Louis Partridge isn't a household name yet, so he might be the perfect choice... if the studio is cool with the younger James of all time.

No Time To Die's ending wrapped up Daniel Craig's tenure as Bond by killing the character off, to the shock of fans everywhere. This was a major twist for the long-running franchise, and it also opened the door for a brand new take on 007. Exactly what is being developed for Bond 26 remains a mystery, but Denis Villeneuve's involvement is giving some comfort to moviegoers who are nervous about Amazon taking the reins. So smart money says that whenever a new actor is cast to play James Bond, it's going to essentially break the internet. Talk about pressure.

It's currently unclear when we should expect Bond 26 to hit theaters, but since its not on the 2026 movie release list fans will have to be patient... especially while Villeneuve is busy getting Dune: Part Three released. We'll just have to see if Louis Partridge gets the chance to play that iconic role.

The search for the next James Bond continues, as Amazon MGM has reportedly been looking high and low for another actor to don that sacred tuxedo. Despite confirmation that casting is underway, there’s been no indication as to which exact stars are being eyed for the role. Jacob Elordi, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and others have been linked to the role for Bond 26 and, all the while, there’s been a debate over whether a woman should play the MI6 agent. Hannah Waddingham recently weighed in on that and made a good point.

Hannah Waddingham’s Take On A Female James Bond Makes Sense

Waddingham remains booked and busy, and she’s currently looking towards the release of her new action series, Ride or Die, which is (coincidentally) going to be streamable with a Prime Video subscription. The Emmy-winning actress is a jack of all trades, whose work spans various genres and mediums. So it probably shouldn’t have been a surprise that amid a special screening of her new show, Waddingham was asked if he would consider playing 007. She had an emphatic response that made her position quite clear:

So anyone who happened to be fancasting the Ted Lasso star for the role of Commander Bond should probably put all that to rest. What I’m particularly focused on, though, is her comment about her and her fellow actresses having “other things to do.” While Waddingham obviously can’t speak for the rest of the ladies in Hollywood, I think she’s pointing to the notion of female creatives working on original characters as opposed to taking over gigs long held by men.

Don’t get me wrong, gender-bending roles can be beneficial. That’s evident even in the James Bond franchise, as Judi Dench took over the role of M after a string of male predecessors. However, I like the notion of women being able to establish fresh franchises filled with multidimensional characters and not have to work within certain parameters of established IPs. There are other variables to consider when it comes to original ideas like that, though.

It can certainly be an uphill battle for female writers, directors and producers as well as actresses to get such projects made. Not only that, but audiences are also quite particular about what they watch in theaters, whether a film is led by a woman or man. Still, the optimist in me would hope that such movies and TV shows involving women can be made.

What Have Others Said About James Bond Being Played By A Woman

Like Waddingham, others have been firm when it comes to their positions on Bond becoming a female character. Former Bond girl Gemma Arterton shared her take on the subject, and the Quantum of Solace alum questioned whether a lady playing Bond would be like a man playing Mary Poppins. Atherton also noted that some may find that kind of casting “outrageous” and that “sometimes you just have to respect the tradition.” The son of late Bond actor Roger Moore, Geoffrey, was a bit more blunt. In Moore’s estimation, if a woman takes over, than the role is simply no longer Bond, though he expressed support for a new character taking on a new operative designation that wasn’t 007.

The most recent actor to play the iconic secret agent, Daniel Craig, offered up his thoughts on the debate as well, and his thoughts align with mine. Craig argued that there should be better parts for women as well as actors of color. That’s easier said than done, of course, but I agree with his take that a woman should have an original role just as good as Bond.

Still, even if a woman doesn’t play Bond, there’s still the question of who’s going to play the character when we see him on the big screen again. It’s certainly possible that Elordi, Callum Turner or other hopefuls could get their shot to play the role, but we’ll just have to wait and see. I really don’t mind the idea of a female Bond, though I do hope Hannah Waddingham and other talented leading ladies might find themselves in the position to land roles that could possibly rival 007.

There are major film franchises, and then there's the James Bond movies. Starting with 1962's Dr. No, generations have watched 007's adventures, most recently Daniel Craig's Bond movies. Since No Time to Die's ending killed off the MI6 agent, fans are curious about what actor might take on the mantle next. And a former casting director revealed why she doesn't want to see Jacob Elordi or any of the other rumored stars in that coveted role.

The James Bond franchise has been going through some changes, especially with Amazon MGM Studios getting the rights to the next movies. Folks have been betting on who might be the next 007 for years, with Jacob Elordi being one of a number of popular choices. But former Bond casting agent Debbie McWilliams spoke to The Independent and said "I don’t want to see any of them as James Bond." She further expanded her thoughts by offering:

There is some precedence for this line of thinking. While actors like Sean Connery and Pierce Brosnan had worked prior to becoming 007, they weren't household names in the way that actors like Jacob Elordi are thanks to his work on Euphoria (streaming with a HBO Max subscription). The same can also be said for Daniel Craig, who wasn't nearly as famous prior to debuting in Casino Royale. Later in the same interview, McWilliams went on to share why she thinks this is an important distinction, saying:

While this is a tried and true method for 007 casting (Debbie McWilliams cast the last three actors), I'm not sure I agree that this method is essential nowadays. Because while new talents might be relative unknowns in their first Bond movie, whoever takes on James' martini and PPK is instantly catapulted into mega fame. And in doing so, they're not longer the mysterious "enigma" that she'd like. Maybe now is the time for the strategy to be shaken and stirred up.

The early reports about the next Bond casting claimed that the studio was looking for a younger actor to replace Daniel Craig, given how physically grueling the role can be. Jacob Elordi is 29, so he seems appropriate. And with an impressive resume and recent Oscar nomination, why not bring this hot star into the fold? The franchise is already having a change of ownership, so why not change its casting strategy? Of course, Elordi is only one of many names being tossed around online.

We'll just have to wait for official news about Bond 26's casting, and who ends up being the next actor to be the beloved MI6 agent. Hopefully some news about Denis Villeneuve's developing blockbuster arrives soon, even if its not going to be on the 2026 movie release list.

When Bob Iger took over Disney in 2005, he quickly put together a list of potential acquisitions. One of the iconic franchises on his list was James Bond, which was still owned by the Broccoli family (and has since been acquired by Amazon). I’ll say upfront that I’m not a Disney hater by any means, but I’m really glad this was a deal Iger couldn’t get done. There is really one specific reason why: Disney overexposes everything.

Marvel, Star Wars, and Bond, James Bond

I’m not going to get into the whole history of Disney and where it was as a company before Iger was named CEO in 2005, but let’s just say, according to some within the company, there was a malaise internally. Iger set out to change that with a series of acquisitions, most notably the first deal he made, buying Pixar in 2006. His list was longer. As Iger recently told the Financial Times:

Disney bought Marvel in 2009 and Lucasfilm (which encompasses Star Wars) in 2012. Bond was the only franchise on the list that Iger and Disney didn’t get their hands on. For me, this is a huge relief. As a huge fan of the James Bond movies, I’ve been worried about how Amazon would treat the iconic franchise, but I’m positive that Disney would have exploited it to the hilt.

Disney Does Too Much With Its Franchises

I’ve long argued that Disney made a huge misstep after the enormous success of Avengers: Endgame. I firmly believe that they should have taken a quick breather and then reset the MCU completely. Instead, they doubled down and kept pumping out two or three movies a year, while adding a seemingly endless amount of streaming content, all of which is available with a Disney+ subscription, of course.

What they did was way overexpose the whole MCU franchise. There were new movies and shows constantly. It got overwhelming for many fans, including me. They’ve done pretty much the same thing with Star Wars since purchasing Lucasfilm. They have slowed down on both recently, finally recognizing the overexposure. I’m really glad this didn’t happen with James Bond. Imagine James Bond the Movie! James Bond the TV Show! James Bond the Roller Coaster! James Bond the lunchbox! You get my point.

While I’m definitely frustrated that James Bond 26 is taking so long (maybe we’ll see it in 2028?), I’d much rather be waiting for what is hopefully a great movie than being inundated with James Bond everywhere, watering down the brand, and leaving me as frustrated as I have been with recent MCU and Star Wars projects.

It feels like the hunt for the next James Bond actor has been going on forever, and various names have been in the mix since Daniel Craig signed off as 007 with 2021's No Time to Die. Among the actors who's been mentioned as a potential successor is Tom Holland, who's obviously one of the industry's biggest stars right now. Holland was recently asked about the possibility of donning the tuxedo and playing Commander Bond and, while doesn't sound opposed to it, there's one aspect of the situation that's "difficult" for him.

Holland opened up about the idea of himself playing the next Bond while engaging in a wide-ranging chat with Esquire. He has been one of the primary names being discussed among the list of 007 hopefuls, yet he's notably remained quiet up to this point. So, given how keen Holland seems on the notion of playing the beloved super spy, it may be surprising that he hasn't offered himself for the role. He said:

I guess carrying on the Bond legacy is the dream of many young English actors, and Holland actually does fit the bill. He has a clean cut swagger of a classic 007, though he could also bring something new to the role, a sense of innocence. It's been rumored that the Bond producers are aiming to go for a younger candidate for the next installment as well, which is a departure from Daniel Craig's more seasoned portrayal.

However, Holland was also open about why he hasn’t openly campaigned for the role, and a lot of it has to do with maintaining his relationship with iconic movie producer Amy Pascal. As he explained:

For context, Pascal is not only the producer for the next run of upcoming James Bond films but also the producer behind the Spider-Man movies that Tom Holland has been a part of. This is a pretty tight business relationship spanning over 10 years, considering Holland was cast as Peter Parker in 2015. Not wanting to take advantage of that relationship makes sense, but also this is the link that could possibly make the next Bond film a hit. This partnership has already created something so special with Spider-Man, so why not see if lightning can strike twice?

Don't be mistaken, though. Because, despite his hesitancy, and wanting to be respectful of his business relationships, Holland is maintaining his interest in Bond:

I love that Holland is finally putting himself out there for this role. All in all, not only does he seem to be a great fit on the surface, but he obviously knows how to carry a multi-million dollar franchise on his back. He’s not the only contender, with some predicting the Bond team might go even younger and cast Louis Partridge. At the same time, many 007 fans have suggested names like Jacob Elordi and Callum Turner as interesting prospects. It’s a complex race for a role, and I personally can’t wait to see the new take on the character when Bond is finally cast.

If we do ever get to see a James Bond portrayed by Tom Holland, we are a few years off from getting the film. In the meantime, you can see the actor in his 2026 movie schedule entries Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and The Odyssey, which both hit theaters in July.

Euphoria is a wildly popular show, one that has made household names of its young cast. The third season recently wrapped for those with HBO (and streaming with an HBO Max subscription), and it should be interesting to see where the Euphoria cast goes next. While folks are betting on whether or not Sydney Sweeney might be a Bond Girl, there are also odds about Zendaya going around online.

While The Housemaid's director thinks Sweeney would be great as a Bond Girl, only time will tell how Denis Villeneuve actually casts in the mysterious 26th Bond movie. Bets are being placed about that potential casting, and the LA Times is reporting about the odds of Zendaya winning her third Emmy for Euphoria.

The outlet finds it likely that Zendaya will at least get nominated, although she'll have to beat out competition if she wants to snatch that trophy. Namely, Keri Russell from The Diplomat and Rhea Seehorn's acclaimed work in Pluribus (streaming with an Apple TV+ subscription). And although Euphoria's third season wasn't as universally acclaimed, you can't deny that she offered another killer performance.

The internet blew up when Zendaya won her first Emmy for Euphoria Season 1, and fans were similarly thrilled when she got another for Season 2. And while Euphoria's series finale was controversial, the 29-year-old actress's performance has once again been universally acclaimed. And with the final season in the rearview, folks are invested in whether or not the Dune actress gets yet another Emmy for her portrayal of Rue.

In my opinion, I definitely think that Zendaya deserves another Emmy for the third season of Euphoria. Despite some complaints about the season, she expertly slipped back into character and balanced both humor and the high-stakes drama of Rue's role in organized crime. Her performance in the controversial finale was particularly strong, and I think that might be the episode that's submitted for Emmy consideration. Either way, it's clear that the internet is paying attention and invested in her possibly scoring a third trophy.

While there were rumors about Zendaya having beef with Sydney Sweeney, the real truth is that both actresses' careers are thriving. And there's been no actual evidence of bad blood; it's mostly fans reading into their interactions (or lack thereof) on the red carpet.

Euphoria is streaming in its entirety now on HBO Max as part of the 2026 TV schedule. We'll just have to wait and see if Zendaya wins that Emmy, and if Sweeney actually becomes a Bond Girl.

There are popular film franchises, and then there are the James Bond movies. Moviegoers have been following 007 for decades, with entire generations brought up on the MI6 agent's adventures. Since No Time To Die's ending killed off Daniel Craig's version of the hero, fans have been curious about which actors might help reboot the series. Sydney Sweeney has been a popular fan choice to be the next actress to play a Bond Girl, but another star has just topped her in the online odds.

What we know about Bond 26 is very limited, but the film is in active development by Amazon MGM. The pressure in on to deliver after Daniel Craig's Bond movies, which were wildly successful. No casting has been announced, but the prediction market Kalshi (via SHH) recently updated its standings, and The Substance actress Margaret Qualley has taken the top spot over Sydney Sweeney.

Of course, this is no actual guarantee that either actress will actually be cast. But the internet seems to think that Qualley is the most likely choice to join Denis Villeneuve's developing Bond movie. Both she and Sydney Sweeney are wildly popular and have the resumes to support them joining 007 on his next mission. Qualley is an incredibly captivating (and physical) actor, so there's no doubt in my mind she would be great. We'll just have to wait and see who gets to be in the Dune director's spy movie.

As I mentioned, Sweeney has been a popular choice for a Bond girl for some time now. The star of Euphoria (which is streaming with a HBO Max subscription) has some action experience under her belt, including her roles in Christy and Madame Web. She's also a black belt in grappling and has experience kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. That, combined with her star power, makes her seem like a great choice for a Bond Girl.

As for Margaret Qualley, she's a two-time Golden Globe nominee who has been in acclaimed TV and film work. Her role in The Substance helped make her a household name, even though she was snubbed from an Oscar nomination for the body horror film. Qualley is another big star who would likely help get butts in seats if she were to join Bond 26, and is a versatile talent that I know would crush in a Bond movie.

Overall, not much is known about what Denis Villeneuve has up his sleeve for his forthcoming Bond movie. He's obviously busy working on Dune: Part Three right now, but his schedule should presumably be freed up after its release in December. Some moviegoers were concerned when Amazon got the rights to the James Bond franchise, although the acclaimed filmmaker's involvement has helped to quell some fears. But casting is a total mystery at the time of writing this story.

It's currently unclear when Bond 26 will hit theaters, but Dune: Part Three will have that honor on December 18th as part of the 2026 movie release list.

James Bond has survived for more than six decades because the character is so endlessly adaptable (and cool, obvs). Every generation gets its own version of 007, from Sean Connery's effortlessly smooth style to Pierce Brosnan's polished super-spy to Daniel Craig's bruised, emotionally scarred interpretation. With the 26th Bond movie on the horizon and the new video game 007 First Light offering a fresh origin story for James Bond, I've found myself thinking less about who should play Bond next and more about what actually makes a great Bond story.

After spending some time with IO Interactive's 007 First Light, I keep coming back to one idea: the best Bond stories don't simply tell us James Bond is a legend. They make him earn it.

The Best Bond Stories Make Him Earn His 007

One of the most appealing things about 007 First Light is that it shows Bond before he becomes the fully formed British secret intelligence agent audiences have come to love and recognize. Instead of arriving as the world's greatest spy, he is someone still trying to prove he belongs in the room.

That's important because competence is only interesting when there's something at stake. Watching Bond effortlessly succeed can be fun for a while, but watching him struggle, adapt and grow creates investment. We don't just admire the character but root for him.

That's something I hope the next Bond film takes notes from. The entire 007 franchise doesn't need to reinvent the wheel. It just needs to give Bond room to become the man everyone expects him to be.

The Game Makes Failure Feel Just As Important As Success

Some of Bond's best moments over the franchise aren't victories. There are setbacks. Think about how much of Casino Royale is built around Bond making mistakes, learning lessons and discovering the consequences of his actions. The character becomes more compelling because he doesn't always know the right answer.

First Light embraces that exact same philosophy. Bond feels ambitious, talented and capable, but not untouchable. There are moments when he seems outmatched, when plans go sideways and even when James has the best intentions, sometimes his actions put the people he cares about in real danger. And, not everyone gets out alive.

That creates tension. If Bond is always the smartest person in every room, the outcome starts to feel inevitable. When failure is still a possibility, every success feels more satisfying.

The Spycraft Matters As Much As The Action

Bond often gets lumped in with heroes from the best action movies, but he’s most interesting when the espionage is allowed to do just as much work as the explosions.

That’s one of the things First Light seems to understand. Some of the game’s most compelling moments aren’t about Bond punching or shooting his way through a problem. They’re about him watching a room, reading a person, slipping into a false identity and figuring out how to move through dangerous spaces without immediately blowing his cover. As a matter of fact, you can’t even use your government-issued Walther PPK unless enemies show intent to kill. Then, you are issued your license to kill.

The chess tournament sequence is a great example of what First Light does best. Bond isn’t just there to look cool in a nice suit. He’s observing, eavesdropping on phone calls, adapting and using the room itself as part of the mission. The same goes for the high-security gala sequence, where he has to blend in, gather information from a suspect and keep his real objective hidden. That’s the version of Bond I want more of on the big screen.

The action matters, obviously. This is still James Bond. But the movies can sometimes drift into treating him like a character in a new superhero film. What makes Bond different from the Caped Crusaders is that he’s dangerous before anyone realizes they’re in danger. He should be able to win a fistfight, sure, but he should also be able to dismantle someone with a dinner conversation, and one well-timed glance across a crowded room.

Q, Moneypenny And M Should Feel Fully Fleshed Out

Another thing First Light seems to understand is that Bond doesn't exist in a vacuum. Q, Moneypenny and M have always been essential parts of the franchise, but some entries treat them more like required checkboxes than actual characters. They show up, deliver the expected dialogue and disappear until the next movie.

What I've enjoyed seeing from First Light is the sense that these relationships actually matter. Bond's interactions with the people around him shape his development rather than simply support the plot.

The next big-screen outing would benefit from that approach. These characters shouldn't feel like franchise furniture, but people whose opinions and relationships shape Bond's journey.

John Greenway Shows Why Bond Needs A Real Mentor

One of the most interesting additions in First Light is John Greenway.

Without giving too much away, what makes the character stand out is the role he serves in the young spy's life. John Greenway is a new addition to the Bond universe, created specifically for 007 First Light, rather than a page-to-screen adaptation of the traditional roster of characters from the original novels or from the movies. Greenway delivers a distinct mix of tough wisdom and genuine concern, combining the discipline of an experienced agent with an understanding of Bond's potential and flaws.

Unlike previous authority figures, Greenway pushes Bond to ask difficult questions and confront his limitations. He feels like someone capable of challenging Bond, mentoring him, and forcing him to grow. The mainline franchise films haven't always had that dynamic. M often serves as Bond's superior, but that's not quite the same as having a mentor.

A mentor can create friction, be disappointed and recognize potential before the character fully sees it himself. That's dramatically rich territory, and it's something I would love to see the next Bond movie explore further.

Watching Bond Learn Is More Engaging Than Watching Him Win

Ultimately, that's the lesson I keep taking away from 007 First Light. The game isn't compelling because it throws away the Bond formula. If anything, it seems to embrace many of the franchise's classic ingredients. There are some awesome gadgets, sure. There is a banger of a new theme song from Lana Del Rey that could hang with the best of them.

The key 007 ingredients are here, but the difference is that it treats those ingredients as things Bond has to earn. He needs to build trust, establish a solid reputation, and boost confidence—basically, we should get the opportunity to see him earn the 007 title, clrcling back to an earlier point.

Keep The Formula, But Give It Teeth

The next Bond movie does not need to follow fads or radically reinvent the franchise. Recent films, especially No Time To Die, have already shown how compelling it can be when Bond is given more room for growth and vulnerability. That movie explored his mistakes, regrets, and personal stakes, making his victories feel earned rather than inevitable. By building on that approach and continuing to give Bond a real arc, the next entry can feel both familiar and fresh.

Keep the gadgets, the spycraft, action, and the charm. Just remember that those components work best when they're attached to a character who's still growing into the legend.

If 007 First Light has proven anything, it's that Bond remains most compelling when the audience gets to watch him become 007 rather than simply being told how cool or suave he already is. So, Denis Villeneuve, if you’re listening, please give 007 First Light a quick playthrough before you finish the next Bond movie. I think you’ll thank me for it.

There are major movie franchises, and then there's the James Bond movies. Audiences have been following 007's adventures since 1962, and there's been debate about who might play him next following Daniel Craig's films. Actor Idris Elba's name has been tossed around for a long time, and the Masters of the Universe actor recently said the rumors were never legit. Although I'm not sure I agree with his assessment about why it would have never worked.

What we know about Bond 26 is extremely limited, with the biggest question being which actor will play the beloved MI6 agent next. During a recent interview with GQ, Elba spoke about the long-standing rumors about him playing Bond. It all began when Daniel Craig suggested back in 2008 that it was time for a Black actor to take on the role, following Barack Obama winning the Presidential Election. The Thor actor got honest by saying:

The chatter about Idris Elba's Bond has been going on for over a decade now, with some fans still hoping to see him with 007's tux and martini. But it sounds like there was never any real legitimacy to the casting, although the actor seems flattered that so many people wanted to see him in that iconic role.

Folks have ben betting on the next James Bond actor or some time now, and Elba's name still comes up even though the studio is reportedly looking for a younger actor for 007. Later in the same interview, the Sonic the Hedgehog actor shared why he never thought he'd actually play the role. In his words:

This is a super realistic take on the idea of a Black actor playing James Bond, but I'm not sure I agree with Elba's assessment. While an actor of color has yet to play the role of 007, I'd like to think that it's not an impossibility in today's world. Idris Elba is a wildly successful actor with generations of fans, and I think that he would be embraced in the role by moviegoing audiences.

Over the past few years, there's been a ton of conversations about the power of representation and inclusion in the media. But James Bond is a global IP, and Idris Elba seems to think that'll exclude Black actors from being considered for the leading role. He's got years of experience in the industry, but I'd like to think that we've progressed more as a society. We'll just have to wait and see who who actually end up replacing Daniel Craig as that character.

It's currently unclear when Bond 26 will arrive, but Idris Elba is in theaters now in Masters of the Universe as part of the 2026 movie release list.

It feels like the ongoing narrative about the upcoming Bond 26 has been ongoing forever. What feels like lifetimes has really only been about five years, as Daniel Craig’s last outing as 007 hit theaters in 2021. While there is some argument that fans had wondered about the next actor to nab the role before that, and five years is certainly a long time to wait, it’s also true that MGM began working with Amazon and the process has slowed as Barbara Broccoli and co. have stepped away. But have no fear, because former NCIS star Michael Weatherly recently jumped into the debate and honestly made a compelling case.

To be clear, Michael Weatherly does not want to be the next 007. Hailing from New York, the actor is certainly not British enough to take on the role, and besides if Idris Elba has aged out at 53, Michael Weatherly has certainly aged out at 57. but he’s throwing one “guess into the ring,” and his AI argument is a compelling one.

We know Callum Turner fills out a suit nicely thanks to his nuptials with Dua Lipa this week (after telling CinemaBlend he fell more in love with her when she calmed down her “little cousin,” ), so that edited poster is not really that far off. In fact, it's definitely giving me Pierce Brosnan vibes.

One fan in the comments called out the AI, but I kind of like it gives us an idea of what we'd be getting into. It wouldn't be a huge shock to see the actor land the role.Callum Turner’s been on the shortlist for “James Bond odds” for a while now; however, it’s worth pointing out the shortlist ain’t a short list. Rege-Jean Page, Paul Mescal, Jack Lowden, Taron Egerton, Damson Idris, Josh O’Conner, and a very young (and very possible) Jacob Elordi have also been cited, and I’m not even getting into older rumors such as Henry Cavill. (Though Cavill himself has stated he’s been itching to play a Bond baddie.)

That didn't stop some fans in the comments for calling out Weatherly and say Cavill in particular would be a better fit. Though one fan merely wanted to start a "petition" for Weatherly himself to cameo, which isn't the worst idea.

Honestly, Callum Turner fills out a suit nicely. We saw it in Eternity, and I wouldn't mind seeing him try on 007 for size. However, at 36, it’s still unclear to me how young Amazon is wanting to go with the new James Bond. I’m not saying 36 is old at all, but when you compare to 28-year-old Elordi, there is an age difference, particularly when you think of someone signing on for three or four or five movies or whatever. Someone like Damson Idris sort of splits the difference at 34.

We'll have to wait and see though, because if it isn't obvious, Amazon does not seem to be in a hurry.

There are major movie franchises, and then there's the James Bond movies. Generations have watched 007's adventures throughout the years, and seen how Amazon-MGM required the rights to the next chapter. For years fans have been wondering what actor would replace Daniel Craig as Bond, and Euphoria star Jacob Elordi recently got the thumbs up from one of his Saltburn co-stars. Since they've got experience in the franchise, the comment holds extra weight.

No Time to Die's ending saw James die, so the pressure is on for whoever is going to follow Daniel Craig's movies. Plenty of names have been tossed around online, including Elordi... who is actually Austalian and not English. During an interview with GQ, former Bond girl (and Saltburn star) Rosamund Pike addressed Elordi playing the MI6 agent, offering:

On top of looking great in a tux, Elordi has a hulking physicality that I think would lend itself well to the role of James Bond. At 6'5, he would be the tallest 007 actor, which would likely making him physically imposing on the screen. And since Pike famously starred as Miranda Frost in Die Another Day (which is streaming with a Peacock subscription) her opinion carries extra weight.

If Jacob Elordi actually ended up being cast as James Bond, it would jive well with reports that the studio is looking for a young actor to take on the role. At the time of writing this story, the Euphoria star is only 28 years old, and presumably could handle the physical toll of playing the beloved character. Although the fact that he's actually Australian IRL might work against him.

Personally, I'd love to see Jacob Elordi in Bond's signature tux. His starpower has been steadily growing for years now, including his recent Oscar-nominated performance in Frankenstein. And with his time on Euphoria coming to an end, the actor's schedule might be open enough to take on such a giant, years-long role. He's a wildly talented performer, but hasn't done a ton of action-heavy roles just yet. Besides, what actor wouldn't want to take on the role of James Bond?

Of course, there's been no indication that the studio is actually circling the Wuthering Heights actor about playing 007. But I maintain he'd be great, and so does Rosamund Pike. What we know about Bond 26 is extremely limited, and finding the right James Bond seems like a top priority. We'll just have to wait and see how lands the role, and if any of the fan ideas end up coming to fruition.

It's currently unclear when the 26th James Bond movie will hit theaters, so we'll have to wait for updates from Amazon-MGM. It's not on the 2026 movie release list, so fans will have to try and be patient.

The “who’s the next James Bond” conversation has been going on for a while now, and it feels like we aren’t getting any closer to crowning a successor. Near the end of Daniel Craig’s tenure in the franchise, speculation ramped up, and it only increased after he said goodbye to the series But, even years before that, fans were throwing out names for potential successors, including Idris Elba's. Despite that, I've long wondered if Elba was truly in the mix for the 007 gig, and he recently revealed whether or not he was in the conversation to begin with.

While speaking with People, Elba opened up about this long-held rumor that associated him with the James Bond film franchise. Even though he was constantly asked about Bond by fans, and his name showed up in listicles for over a decade, Elba shared a take on the speculation that honestly surprised me. He explained:

I’m not sure I completely agree with the actor. He seemed like a contender for a while, at least at the beginning. After Spectre, Craig’s interest in the role was waning, which is when all this hullabaloo started. Elba would’ve been 10 years younger (in his early 40s) and would’ve been a great choice for the role. However, Craig decided to return for one last Bond movie, 2021's No Time To Die, which pushed things back quite a bit.

Of course, this is all just me looking at the situation from the outside. Elba's comments seem to suggest that he never received serious consideration from the 007 franchise's producers. And that's quite disappointing, given that he feels like a great fit for the role.

So where will Bond go now? Well, many contenders have been thrown out in context with the project, especially since it was officially announced that Bond 26 would happen with Denis Villeneuve at the helm. It seems almost certain that Bond will go younger this time around, with frequent rumored frontrunners being Callum Turner, Jacob Elordi and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Some rumors even suggest casting could go even younger, with 22-year-old Louis Partridge reportedly being in contention.

At the very least, Amazon (which acquired creative control over the Bond IP in 2025) recently shared a casting update. Apparently, auditions are underway, but that still means it could be a while before a new actor is cast.

Even though Bond will not be a reality for the Wire star, and he believes it never was a real possibility in the first place, I think Elba is ultimately better off without Bond. Playing Commander Bond requires a pretty tight contract, and Elba may not have been able to take on some of his best projects if he’d been restricted to Bond. I have to wonder if he would’ve been able to headline Luther as long as he did, and his involvement in both the DCEU and MCU would likely have not been feasible. When one door closes another one opens, and I personally can’t wait to see what Elba has on top outside of the 007 world.

You might not be able to see Idris Elba as James Bond, but you can see him in his latest film, Masters of the Universe, which is heading to theaters on June 5th as part of the 2026 movie schedule.

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.

There are major movie franchises, and then there's the James Bond movies. Generations grew up watching 007's adventures, and the various actors who have played the role. After Daniel Craig's Bond films came to an end, Amazon-MGM ended up buying control of the property's future, to the concern of some fans. But former Bond Girl Léa Seydoux offered another perspective.

What we know about Bond 26 is limited, but folks are curious who will play the protagonist, and how the franchise might change under Amazon. The change of 007 leadership has definitely turned heads, and during an interview with Variety Seydoux shared her own perspective. The actress offered:

Honestly, she's made some points. It sounds like the Spectre actress shared the same concerns about Bond's new leadership... until it was revealed that filmmaker Denis Villeneuve would be behind the camera. He's an accomplished director, and she personally worked with him on Dune: Part Two (which is streaming now with a HBO Max subscription). And his talents and commitment to the theatrical experience seems to have quelled her concerns about the future of 007.

Denis Villeneuve is an acclaimed Oscar-nominated filmmaker, whose work includes projects like the Dune movies, Arrival, Sicario, and Blade Runner 2049. All of these movies were crafted for the big screen, and are both visually appealing and emotionally impactful. So on paper he seems like the perfect filmmaker to direct the next James Bond film.

Not much has been revealed about what's going to go down in Bond 26, so there's plenty of chatter and countless questions circulating around online. For years fans have been betting about who will replace Daniel Craig as James. Although the latest rumors claim that the studio is seeking a very young actor to play the beloved MI6 agent. Hopefully the fandom gets some information from Villeneuve and company sooner rather than later.

Léa Seydoux made her James Bond debut in 2015's Spectre as Madeleine Swann , one of the most important Bond Girl from Craig's tenure as the hero. She'd go on to reprise her role in No Time To Die, and be the subject of some thrilling plot twists. As such, she is particularly qualified to speak on the franchise. Add in her time working with Denis Villeneuve, and I'm sure her above comments hold particular weight for fans.

It's currently unclear when Bond 26 will arrive in theaters, but the public is definitely invested. But Villeneuve will return to the big screen with Dune: Part Three on December 18th as part of the 2026 movie release list.

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 last year has seen the next James Bond movie, unofficially known as Bond 26, taking its biggest steps forward yet. Following Amazon MGM acquiring creative control of the franchise from Eon Productions, Denis Villeneuve was tapped to direct Bond 26, and Steven Knight was selected to write the script shortly thereafter. But the search for Daniel Craig’s successor goes on, though the latest James Bond contender to emerge is the youngest rumored 007 option that’s been revealed yet.

Since 2022, it’s been indicated, though never outright confirmed, that the next James Bond actor will be much younger than when his predecessors started playing the role. Think someone in their 20s or early 30s as most. Well, that would certainly be accomplished with Louis Partridge, whose credits include the Enola Holmes movies, Jay Kelly and House of Guinness, all of which can be streamed with a Netflix subscription. According to Variety, Partridge, who turns 23 in June, is in serious contention play Bond, and this reportedly goes “beyond simply being put on a bookmaker’s list.”

This casting update comes seven months after Louis Partridge told the same publication that he was thinking of ways to impress Knight, who also wrote House of Guinness, at the miniseries’ premiere in the hopes of boosting his Bond chances. Whether he was able to pull that off or not, if the actor is indeed in the running to play the popular British spy, this would definitely help make his Bond era stand out from the others.

For context, Sean Connery was 32 when he first played James Bond; George Lazenby was 29; Roger Moore was 45, Pierce Brosnan was 42, and Daniel Craig was 38 years old. So Connery has maintained the youngest Bond debut for more than 60 years, but going from 32 to 22 is a massive leap. Even if it takes a few more years for Bond 26 to get off the ground, Louis Partridge would still be in his mid-20s and hold the new record.

On the one hand, I understand going with such a younger James Bond actor in terms of ensuring they can star in multiple sequels and handle the physical effort that comes with running around as one of MI6’s best agents. On the other hand, Louis Partridge is still pretty fresh-faced, and I don’t know that I can buy him playing this experienced 007 who can easily dispatch bad guys and already knows he likes his martinis shaken, not stirred. Him in the role more calls to mind the Young Bond books, when the character is a teenager attending Eton College in the 1930s.

I’d certainly welcome being proven wrong, but despite Variety’s claim that Louis Partridge’s consideration for James Bond holds more weight than other contenders, it’s important to consider this just another casting rumor for now. We’ll continue passing along significant Bond 26 updates as they come in. Meanwhile, Partridge can next be seen in the Pride & Prejudice miniseries and Enola Holmes 3, both of which premiere on Netflix sometime later this year.

In just a few years, Sydney Sweeney has become a bonafide A-lister, who is appearing in major projects on both the small and silver screens. While folks regularly watch Sweeney's biggest projects, many are looking forward to what she might do in the future. Some fans who spent years watching the James Bond movies in order want to see her join as a Bond Girl, and The Housemaid director Paul Feig recently addressed that possibility.

What we know about Bond 26 is super limited, as its still in the early stages of development. But with Daniel Craig's Bond movies in the rear view, the generations of fans are looking forward to how the series will be rebooted yet again. In an interview with The Sun, Feig addressed whether or not Sweeney should be a Bond Girl, offering:

Honestly, sign me up. While Paul Feig seems down to see Sydney Sweeney in a Bond movie, he wants her to be a fellow spy rather than a civilian/love interest for 007. And given her work ethic and years of experience with kickboxing and grappling, points were made. Plus she did fight choreography in Christy as well as the infamous Madame Web movie (which is streaming with a Netflix subscription).

Feig worked closely with Sweeney on The Housemaid, which became a megahit upon its release. A sequel was already been ordered, which means that pair will once again be collaborating. And the Simple Favor director thinks that she would be a great Bond girl... even if the franchise isn't using that term anymore.

Plenty of actresses have played Bond Girls over the years, as there are usually one or two in every movie. But only a few have been able to meet James as a fellow spy. Halle Berry famously did this as Jinx in Die Another Day, while Michelle Yeoh kicked some serious ass in Tomorrow Never Dies. We'll just have to see who ends up being the next 007, and if Sweeney gets to join the ranks of iconic Bond Girls. Fingers crossed.

For now, the 28 year-old actress is definitely keeping busy. She's reprising her role as Cassie Howard in Euphoria Season 3, and is attached to a whopping six upcoming movie projects at the time of writing this story. That includes The Housemaid's Secret, which will see her reunited with Paul Feig and Amanda Seyfried.

The Housemaid is streaming now on STARZ, and Euphoria Season 3 will premiere on April 12th as part of the 2026 TV schedule. Hopefully we gret news about the future of the Bond franchise sooner rather than later.

The James Bond movies are one of the biggest and longest-running movie franchises in the business. Following No Time to Die's ending, there's been a ton of debate online about which actor might replace Daniel Craig as 007. Folks have been betting on James Bond odds for certain actors, and one popular fan choice is none other than Henry Cavill. The Argylle actor recently expressed interest in joining the beloved property, but not necessarily how people might have thought.

Cavill is an accomplished action star, thanks to his role as Superman (which is streaming with an HBO Max subscription), as well as Mission: Impossible and The Witcher TV series. In an interview with Heat Magazine (via Twitter), he spoke about previously auditioning for Bond, and shared how he'd like to join the property. In his words:

Honestly, I'm so in. While the pressure is on for Eon and Amazon to find a new actor to play 007, Henry Cavill would rather join the ranks of iconic Bond villains. He's got the star power to bring people to theaters, and his hulking physicality might be a great way to challenge James. We'll just have to wait for Bond 26's casting to actually begin, and see who ends up taking on the mantle of the martini-drinking MI6 agent.

At the time of writing this story, Cavill is 42 years old, which is a number of years older than Daniel Craig was when beginning his tenure as 007. There are reports that the studio is looking for a younger actor to play Bond, thanks to the years-long commitment and physical toll of the role. So putting him in the antagonist role arguably makes more sense.

Of course, there's no indication that Henry Cavill is actually being considered to play a villain in the next Bond movie. Still, you can't deny that he would be great for the role, especially as a British actor. Hopefully, we get some indication as to when casting is actually underway for the 26th James Bond movie.

It should be fascinating to see how the 007 franchise changes whenever it returns to the big screen. Daniel Craig's tenure saw the property step away from wild gadgets in favor of gritty action. Skyfall saw the death of Judi Dench's M, and No Time To Die ended by James actually being killed onscreen. So, how will Eon break new ground with another actor? Only time will tell, but now Amazon is involved.

No Time to Die is streaming now with a Netflix subscription. Fingers crossed there's some information about the franchise's future sooner rather than later.

All reports indicate that with every new day, we’re getting just that little bit closer to the next James Bond movie actually going into production. Of course, for that to happen, the most important thing we need is an actor cast to play James Bond. Several different actors have found themselves at the top of the oddsmakers' books over the last couple of years, but Regé-Jean Page is one who is regularly at or near the top.

The actor, who catapulted to stardom thanks to Bridgerton and will next be seen in the rom-com You, Me, and Tuscany with Halle Bailey, has been in the discussion for quite some time, a fact that he admitted to Esquire has been “strange.” On the Bond chatter and his general growing celebrity, Page said…

It certainly has to be unusual to find yourself one of the more in-demand actors in Hollywood. While it’s clear that nobody really knows who the next James Bond will be, finding yourself in a conversation that includes everybody from Aaron Taylor-Johnson to Henry Cavill to, more recently, Jacob Elordi has to be wild. Simply being mentioned attached to James Bond indicates a level of celebrity that not just anybody can obtain.

Regé-Jean Page doesn’t appear to completely avoid all the trappings of celebrity the way some actors do. It does, however, require work on his part to balance the fame with something more normal in his life so that things don’t get out of hand. He continued…

One imagines his ability to “navigate that environment” will get a bit tougher if he does end up as the next James Bond. That will tie him in with one of the most popular characters in cinema, and likely become the defining element of his career for at least the next decade.

And the odds of Regé-Jean Page becoming Bond are certainly far from impossible. While Barbara Broccoli and Eon Productions are no longer the ones determining who will be James Bond, Broccoli indicated that while she wasn’t in favor of changing James Bond’s gender, she had no problem with changing the character’s race. It's unclear how new franchise bosses Amazon MGM feel about the idea, but it’s unlikely they would turn down a major star simply because he’s not white.

Regé-Jean Page, like most of the other actors who have had their names attached to the role, is remaining pretty quiet about whether or not this is a role he wants. However, he has indicated being flattered by the fact that many would love to see him get it. At some point, and sooner rather than later, the James Bond decision will be made. If Page isn't chosen, at least things will get a little more normal for him. If he is, then perhaps normal becomes a thing of the past.

It’s been nearly five years since James Bond was on our movie screens, which means that, considering that the next James Bond movie is well over a year away at the absolute least, we’re likely in for the longest gap between films the franchise has ever seen. Of course, that doesn’t mean that James Bond fans have had absolutely nothing to do. The speculation regarding who will be the next James Bond has been going on for even before No Time to Die hit theaters.

The question of who will be the next James Bond has been one of the hottest casting stories of this decade. Numerous names have been at the top of the odds over the last few years. However, the most recent rumors indicated that the choice may have already been made. Unfortunately for fans hoping the ultimate question had an answer, that may not be the case.

New Report Says James Bond has Not Been Chosen

Two names have jumped to the top of the oddsmakers' books in recent weeks. Academy Award nominee Jacob Elordi and Callum Turner, most recently seen in Eternity, are being rumored, with some reports claiming that one or the other of them had already been decided on. However, in an Instagram post, pop culture site Deuxmoi claims that, according to sources, not only have neither of them been cast, but the casting process isn’t fully underway. Thus, it’s still too early to tie anybody to the role.

If true, the claim that the casting process is not “fully underway” does indicate that the process has at least started. This would likely confirm another rumor, which claims that the next James Bond movie is looking to start filming later this year. If that’s the case, then we are certainly in the period where the casting process needs to ramp up not just for the lead role, but for everything else as well.

The James Bond Casting Process Will Take Time

Of course, none of this means that Jacob Elordi and Callum Turner are not frontrunners to be the next James Bond. The current rumors may be true, and they are currently at the top of the casting director's call sheet. However, even if Amazon MGM, which now has total franchise control, thinks they may be right, neither one of them is simply going to be handed this role.

The casting for the next James Bond movie is likely going to be a slow and involved process because, for many of the roles, Amazon MGM isn’t just casting for a single film but a franchise. Whoever is going to play not just Bond, but M, Q, and potentially others, will need to be in it for the long haul. As such, you can expect this process to not be rushed.

It’s hard to parse through all the casting rumors around who will play James Bond in the next Bond movie, Bond 26 (for lack of a better name at this point). The most recent hot stove contender seems to be 2026 Oscar nominee Jacob Elordi. His name has popped up among all the other rumors and wish-castings, along with those of Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Idris Elba, and even Timothée Chalamet.

To be clear, as of yet, no one has been officially announced, but I did find it striking that if Elordi were to be named, and depending on when the film starts production, he would be the youngest actor to ever play 007 in the official series. Who is currently the youngest? Well, I’m glad you asked.

Another Australian Actor Currently Holds The Record

The youngest man to play the British superspy is George Lazenby. He was 29 years old when he took over for a then-39-year-old Sean Connery in 1969’s On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Of course, Connery would return two years later at age 41 for Diamonds Are Forever before retiring from the role (well, except for Never Say Never Again, outside the official canon). If the movie kicks off production this year (which may be an aggressive timeline), Elordi would be 28 or 29 at the time of filming, making him the youngest Bond ever.

Elordi and Lazenby have something else in common, as well: both are Australian. Of the eight men who have played James Bond (six in the official Eon series), all have been from the British Isles, except Lazenby (and American Barry Nelson in his first-ever non-canon appearance in the ‘50s). Connery was Scottish, Roger Moore was English, Timothy Dalton is Welsh, Pierce Brosnan is Irish, and Daniel Craig is English. Elordi would join his fellow Aussie in rarified air.

It Does Seem Like The Next Film Will Feature A Younger Version Of 007

Amidst all the casting rumors lately, there has been a consistent quality: all the rumored actors are on the young side for Bond. As I mentioned, Connery was 41 when he retired from the role, and he was 32 when he first appeared in Dr. No. The Roger Moore era began with 1973’s Live and Let Die, when Moore was 46. By the time Moore retired after 1985’s A View To A Kill, he was 58; to date the oldest Bond. Dalton took over in ‘87 when he was 41. Brosnan was 42 when he took on the role for the first time, and Craig was 38 in Casino Royale.

All that said, the general age of Bond is significantly older than Elordi (and most of the other rumored actors), which may be because the next movie, which will be directed by Dune: Part III director Denis Villeneuve, could be an origin story about 007. While I do admit that I’m not totally psyched about a Bond movie going back to the beginning, I am on board with a younger actor taking on the role. As much as I love Roger Moore as Bond (he was my intro to the series when I was a kid), he was definitely too old to be playing the spy in the last few movies.

As I’ve been rewatching the Bond movies (again) with my Netflix subscription, I’ve been thinking about the future of the franchise, and I’m excited for it. Elordi makes some sense, and going younger is probably a great idea. We’ll just have to wait and see who the new producers pick for a new era!

We know that eventually James Bond will be back. We don’t know when Bond 26 will hit theaters, and we don’t even know who will be taking over the role of the superspy from Daniel Craig. We have heard some hints and rumors, including the idea that the next Bond film, which is expected to be directed by Denis Villeneuve, could be an origin story of 007. That gave me an idea.

You Have To Go Back To The Original Casino Royale

Acting legend David Niven is one of the eight actors who have played James Bond, but if you’re unfamiliar with his movie, 1967’s Casino Royale, you aren’t alone. The movie is really a satire of the character and the series, and is not part of the official Eon catalog. However, there is something from it that I think could be a fun idea to play with in the official series. You see, in the movie, Niven plays an older, retired 007 brought back to deal with a threat.

We find out that there are multiple “James Bonds” and that when the “original Bond” (Niven) retired, both his number (007) and his name were given to other agents. What if the official franchise used this approach for its next secret agent? The Craig-Era Bond is dead, as we saw in No Time To Die, so MI6 must recruit a new 007, and a new “James Bond.” It’s a way to do a soft reboot of the series, without wiping clean all that went before in the Craig-Era. Seriously, how much fun would that be?

A new, young Bond, but in the same universe as Craig's. No need to recast everyone, just find a young Navy officer and recruit him into the secret life of an MI6 agent with the same boss that Craig had, same Q, same Moneypenny, same…everything. This might be a way to get me on board with an origin story.

I Don’t Love The Idea Of An Origin Story

I am on the record as saying the idea of a Bond origin story isn’t what I want from the series, even if it almost seems destined to happen in Bond 26. Bond fans know the spy’s history; we know about his time in the Royal Navy, we know a few things about his childhood… do we really need to see that story played out in the next film? I don’t think so.

However, making it a new “James Bond” adds a spin that I would find fascinating. It makes a new origin story make sense; it fits into the canon. Ralph Fiennes could return as M, Naomie Harris could help train the recruit as Moneypenny, and Ben Whishaw could outfit him as Q. Everything works, and everything makes sense. No one really knows who James Bond is, because he’s the next in a line of “James Bonds” that goes back to Sean Connery. Heck, they could even spin off a TV show with another “James Bond!”

I get that this is all pretty unlikely, but let me daydream for a minute and pretend that this is where the new bosses at Amazon are going to take this. In the meantime, I’ll be watching old James Bond movies with my Netflix subscription.

The next James Bond is fully in motion, but casting announcements remain one of the most tightly-guarded secrets in Hollywood. Ever since Daniel Craig’s Bond films ended and he officially hung up the tux, speculation has been nonstop as Bond 26 slowly takes shape behind the scenes at Amazon. So, when a random piece of theater gossip starts floating around London with the words “Who’s gonna be Bond?” attached to it, people's ears are going to perk up. That’s exactly what happened this week, thanks to an Aimee Lou Wood play in London.

In a post from celebrity gossip account DeuxMoi, an anonymous tipster claims they overheard a studio executive on the phone while attending an Aimee Lou Wood play at London’s Royal Court Theatre. The source says they heard the exec say:

To be clear, these tips are often, by design, unverified, but how interesting is this if true? A studio exec on a phone in a public space could mean a lot of things. It could’ve been industry chatter. It could’ve been speculation. It could’ve been someone important… or someone who just wanted to sound important. Or, the tipster could be making the story up whole cloth. Yet, the timing, the setting, and really any forward momentum on Bond 26 castings make this one interesting to me.

Aimee Lou Wood has been quietly building an impressive résumé since breaking out as a cast member of Sex Education. She’s earned critical praise for her stage work, and her London run at the Royal Court has reportedly been wonderful. The tipster even called the show “stellar” and said everyone in London should see it.

Here’s where the rumor gets more layered than a bundled-up spy during an Antarctica mission. Wood's name has emerged in discussions, among many other capable actresses, as a potential cast member of the upcoming 007 movie. Of course, she is allegedly a candidate for a Bond girl, not for the role of Bond, despite the recent female Bond discourse, which makes the rumor more interesting.

This is far from an official shortlist, but the fact that her name is circulating in these conversations suggests that someone in the industry may envision Wood in that role. So, was the executive simply enjoying a night of great theater, or were they discreetly scouting a potential future Bond girl from the audience?

This is where we pump the brakes, as there are currently no confirmed casting news about the next 007. The franchise has been in a transitional phase since No Time To Die, with producers staying tight-lipped about direction, tone, and lead actor.

Still, we do know a few concrete things about Bond 26. Denis Villeneuve is set to direct, once he wraps post-production duties on Dune: Part Three. That alone signals a serious tonal shift for the franchise. The script is reportedly in the hands of Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, which suggests a grounded, character-forward approach. Most tellingly, multiple reports have suggested this new era may feature a younger Bond, potentially even leaning into origin-story territory.

Casting rumors have been everywhere as the filmmakers continue the search for the next Bond. Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Henry Cavill. Tom Hardy. Timothée Chalamet. More recently, there’s been chatter about the Masters of the Air actor Callum Turner and even Jacob Elordi. The consistent theme seems to be a youthful reset. At minimum, this latest rumor suggests that Bond conversations are actively underway behind the scenes and, if true, could be close to being announced. If Aimee Lou Wood is even peripherally in that orbit of discussions, that’s a fascinating development in itself.

If this version of Bond skewers younger, that would naturally open the door to a new generation of co-stars as well. A fresh Bond girl. A different tone. A shift away from the Craig era’s grit toward something slightly more stylized or introspective under Villeneuve’s eye. None of this confirms anything about Aimee Lou Wood, of course. It’s still gossip. But it’s compelling gossip.

Production reportedly won’t begin until 2027, with a likely 2028 release at the earliest. So, while we fans have been waiting a long time for the project to get off the ground, the end is insight. Still, two years is a long runway for rumors to fly. For now, this is just a West End whisper.

As fans wait for more 007 news, they can revisit every Bond film, now streaming with a Netflix subscription.

The 2026 Winter Olympics, which you can watch all of with a Peacock subscription, are rounding the halfway point. Since Cortina d'Ampezzo is one of the co-host locations (along with Milan), I was inspired to watch one of my favorite James Bond movies, For Your Eyes Only, starring Roger Moore, which was partially filmed in the Alpine town.

I have a long history with the movie, as it was the very first Bond film I ever saw, way back in the early ‘80s when we first got a VCR. It was a movie I asked my mom to rent over and over. Watching it now shows off the town’s rich history of winter sports and why it’s such a great location for the Olympics.

There Are A Bunch Of Sports On Display In The Bond Movie

The Bond franchise has taken fans all over the world and shot in many exotic locales. Cortina definitely fits the bill in that respect. The mountain town is quaint, sure, but as it previously hosted the Olympics back in 1956, it is replete with winter sports training and competition venues. In the movie, we get to see quite a few of them.

The most notable action sequence in the town features Bond on skis being pursued by henchmen on motorcycles. Bond does some traditional skiing on the famous mountain, then ends up at the top of a ski jump, which he takes on with regular skis, knocking the rifle out of the hand of one of his enemies (who is also a biathlon competitor). The motorcyclists chase him through the woods, as vacationers dodge bullets from the bikes’ machine guns. Eventually, Bond ends up on the bobsled track before he finally escapes the biathlete.

In the next scene, Bond finds himself on a skating rink with a young figure skater with a crush on him. When she leaves after her practice, 007 is jumped by three goons in hockey gear. Bond scores a hat trick after knocking the last goon into the goal by using the Zamboni machine as a battering ram. The Roger Moore Bond era was so gloriously goofy at times, and this sequence stands out in that regard.

I Still Love For Your Eyes Only, All These Later

I rewatch Bond movies all the time, but it had been a couple of years since rewatching For Your Eyes Only (the whole series is now available with a Netflix subscription). It remains one of my favorites. In part, that’s because it was the first one I saw, and it will always have a special place in my heart for that reason.

It’s also just a really fun movie. It’s probably my second favorite from the Moore era, behind The Spy Who Loved Me. Like so many Bond movies, we get to travel to some excellent European locations as varied as Spain, Corfu, Albania and, of course, the mountains in Italy in Cortina.

Though there were only two James Bond movies starring Timothy Dalton, including The Living Daylights with one of my favorite Bond Girls, Maryam d’Abo, both movies are among my top-rated Bond movies. D’Abo, who plays cellist/Eastern European spy Kara Milovy in the Dalton-era film, was still early in her career, having mostly worked in minor TV projects and bit parts in movies. Landing the role didn’t launch her to fame, either, as it remains her most notable acting role.

The British actress isn’t bitter or frustrated, but she does admit that landing such a huge role didn’t help her career. It wasn’t the franchise’s fault, and it wasn’t her part in the movie, nor the fact that she was a Bond girl. In d’Abo’s words, it was her own fault. Here’s what she has said about that time in her life.

D’Abo Wasn't Ready For The Fame

This week, d’Abo opened up about her breakout role and how she really wasn’t ready for the attention it brought her, telling The Guardian:

She admitted that she was young and immature, adding:

D’Abo’s career never really took off as it did for other women who appeared in Bond films early in their careers, like Carey Lowell, who starred in the only other Dalton Bond film, Licence to Kill, or Rosamund Pike in the Pierce Brosnan-led Die Another Day. D’Abo doesn’t blame the movie or the franchise, however, making it clear:

In fact, she is partly responsible for the modern recognition Bond Girls have received over the last couple of decades, after she produced a great documentary about the roles and the women who have played them over the years, Bond Girls Are Forever, from 2002.

She Has Embraced The Moniker And Celebrated The Role In The Franchise

While it would be easy to understand if d’Abo were bitter about her experience, she’s hardly the first person to call out the occasional nastiness of the British press; it’s wonderful to read that she isn’t bitter at all. Her doc only shows just how much it meant to her to star in the franchise, and as I said earlier, she’s one of my favorites. Sure, she plays a pretty typical “damsel in distress” (even if she is a spy/assassin), as many Bond Girls have over the years, but she’s charming and beautiful, and I’m a sucker for a musician.

We still have no idea when Bond 26, as we’re currently calling it, will hit theaters; it’s likely still at least a couple of years away, but in the meantime, you can check out d’Abo and the rest of the franchise with a Netflix subscription, after it landed on the streamer recently.

Though James Bond movies have come and gone from Netflix over the years, the entire franchise (at least up through No Time To Die) is available on the robust streaming service right now. That means, at any given moment, a Netflix subscription gives you access to all the best 007 films, all the eras, the good, the bad, and the ugly. While some may be jumping on the Sean Connery classics like Goldfinger or more contemporary Daniel Craig gems like Skyfall, I’m going to shake things up and go with those Pierce Brosnan spy flicks.

Before you ask, no, it’s not because of his glorious chest hair (though a license should be required for that). Instead, there’s a certain charm and quality to those early post-Cold War spy thrillers that makes me want to watch them more than anything else. Allow me to explain where I’m coming from.

Goldeneye And Tomorrow Never Dies Perfectly Capture The Tone Of The ‘90s

Though I don’t care as much for The World Is Not Enough or Die Another Day, I’ve always had a soft spot for Pierce Brosnan’s first two turns as 007: Goldeneye and Tomorrow Never Dies. These movies, for better or worse, perfectly capture the tone and sensibilities of the early-to-mid 1990s, focusing on global, post-Cold War politics and the worldwide proliferation of media and the internet, respectively.

Goldeneye came out less than five years after the fall of the Soviet Union, and you can feel that tension and uncertainty a new world throughout its story about James Bond trying to stop a terrorist group from sending civilizaiton back to the stone age. It feels very much a part of that time, creating a certain dynamic that makes me a bit nostalgic.

The same goes for Tomorrow Never Dies with its villainous media mogul who wants to start World War III to benefit himself. These movies focus on both the promise and destructive possibilities of a new world, and were great stories to close out the 20th century.

These Movies Are Undeniably Campy, But They’re Just So Charming

While it may be true that the Pierce Brosnan era went off the rails with the Irish actor’s final turn as 007 in Die Another Day, the early days of his four-picture run were also undeniably campy. However, unlike that 2002 slogfest with its frozen hotels, prison camps, and forgettable villains, those first two movies were far more successfully charming. If anything, they found the proper balance of cheesiness and seriousness to create something that was both daring and dangerous without sacrificing either.

Don’t get me wrong, I do love the more grounded and bleaker Daniel Craig movies (Skyfall is my single favorite James Bond movie), but I just know I’m going to be having more fun watching Pierce Brosnan driving a tank through Saint Petersburg, or riding with Michelle Yeoh on a motorcycle, than just about anything else in the character's on-screen history.

All of that being said, those Pierce Brosnan movies, especially the first two, are relics of a bygone era, one where James Bond wasn’t super serious all the time. Now I just need to figure out where the franchise is going from here…

Daniel Craig’s James Bond films have entertained audiences for 15 years and, now, a new era is approaching. Fans have been anxiously awaiting the release of Bond 26. While it's known that Dune's Denis Villeneuve will be joining the film as its director and Spencer’s Steven Knight is writing the script, it’s still unclear who's playing the next James Bond. Well, after the 2026 Academy Award nominations came out, a new favorite has reportedly emerged amongst the Bond hopefuls, and I’m crossing my fingers that this happens.

If there’s anything all James Bond actors have in common, it’s their on-screen charisma, firm physicality and ability pull off a nice suit. Of course, there are plenty of actors who can fill in 007’s shoes after Daniel Craig. Interestingly, though Showbiz411 claims Jacob Elordi is now at the top of Amazon MGM's Bond 26 wish list, thanks to the 2026 Oscar nominations!

I’m bursting with joy that Jacob Elordi has apparently become a new favorite for a potential James Bond actor. Yes, other actors on the list, like Tom Holland and Harris Dickinson, could theoretically pull off 007's swagger and charm. Still, I think Elordi would be downright perfect.

The Euphoria actor played the Creature in Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein, given a transformative and emotional performance that's arguably different from any of his other projects. For his role in that film, Elordi has won a Critic’s Choice Award, and he received Golden Globe and Oscar nominations,. Given the praise Elordi has received, it's no wonder his name has now apparently surged to the top of the Bond conversation.

Jacob Elordi wouldn’t be the first Australian actor to portray James Bond either, as George Lazenby previously held the role. The Priscilla also has one key element going for him amid the search for the new Commander Bond: his age. Lazenby was 29 when he played the Ian Fleming-created character, and Elordi is 28 now.

A younger 007 actor could be invaluable for the Bond 26 producers, especially when thinking about how long that person could remain in the role. Considering the sensual appeal Elordi brought to Saltburn and seems to be adding to the 2026 movie release Wuthering Heights, the popular actor could theoretically help bring a younger audience to the Bond fanbase.

It should still be said that nothing is set in stone, though, as Amazon MGM has yet to formally announce its new Bond actor. Still, I just can't help but get excited over the notion of Elordi going from playing the hulking Creature to the smooth Bond. Jacob Elordi would certainly do an incredible job of employing Bond’s “panther-like” movements, emotional vulnerability and fierce elegance for the role. (Plus, I really want to hear him say “shaken, not stirred.”)

While fans wait for any official 007 announcements one way or the other, they can watch Elordi’s Oscar-nominated performance in Frankenstein using a Netflix subscription. You can also see if the talented nominee will be the lucky one to receive Best Supporting Actor at the 98th Oscars, which airs on ABC and streams live for Hulu subscription holders on March 15th.

Kevin O’Leary is chiefly known to the world as a successful businessman and television personality seen on shows like Shark Tank, but now he can also put being an actor on his resume. “Mr. Wonderful” made his feature film debut just a few weeks ago playing Milton Rockwell in Marty Supreme, starring opposite, and even paddleball spanking, Timothée Chalamet. Now O’Leary wants to keep his acting journey going by playing a James Bond villain, but what really caught my attention was his suggestion for the 007 franchise as a whole.

Ahead of the Golden Globe winners being announced on Sunday night, Kevin O’Leary spoke with AP Entertainment about how he’s “caught the acting bug” following his experience on Marty Supreme and now has his eyes set on the James property. In his words:

While James Bond is and always be a quintessential British role (though there was that close call with Dick Van Dyke), the spy’s battled villains from all over the globe. So now that he’s shown off his acting chops in Marty Supreme, it’s not implausible that Kevin O’Leary could be looked at to play a bad guy in a Bond movie. Admittedly, I don’t think he would be selected to play the main antagonist, but I could envision him as an opening threat for Bond to neutralize.

Regardless of whether or not O’Leary boards the James Bond franchise, he also mentioned during the conversation that he thinks it’s time for an actress to play the Ian Fleming-created character, saying:

Whether or not James Bond should be played by a woman has become a polarizing topic ever since Daniel Craig’s time as 007 started winding down. While some agree with Kevin O’Leary, including a British intelligence expert, others, like Craig himself and his Quantum of Solace costar Gemma Arterton, believe Bond should continue to be played by a man. Longtime Bond Barbara Broccoli even said back in 2020 that James Bond would always be a male character, although now that Amazon MGM has control of the franchise, it’s unclear if that rule still stands.

What we do know for sure is that the next James Bond movie will be directed by Denis Villeneuve and written by Steven Knight. If Kevin O’Leary ends up being recruited for this cinematic endeavor, we’ll let you know. Until then, you can still see him in Marty Supreme as its theatrical run continues.

There are major movie franchises and then there's James Bond. The beloved spy series has occupied the big screen for decades, and has featured a number of actors as 007. While Daniel Craig's Bond movies reached their conclusion with No Time to Die, they were preceded by Pierce Brosnan's Bond films. The latter actor was recently asked questions about what the MI6 agent might be up to for Christmas, and it... didn't exactly go well.

Brosnan has stayed busy in the years since he retired as 007, including roles in Black Adam and The Thursday Murder Club (which is streaming with a Netflix subscription). But he's still synonymous with his tenure as the martini-drinking spy, and in an interview with The Times he was asked about what James might be up to during The Holidays. The 72 year-old actor didn't hold back his response, saying:

I appreciate the honesty. Celebrities do a ton of interviews and I'm sure they can be exhausting at times. Pierce Brosnan hasn't played 007 in years, but that likely hasn't stopped folks from asking about hist tenure in the role. But wasn't happy about being asked hypotheticals about that character and what he might be up to for Christmas.

James Bond actors take on their roles knowing they'll likely always be remembered for their time fighting bad guys on the big screen. And while Brosnan is likely used to folks talking about his time in that role, chats about how 007 spends the holidays were just too much for him to handle. As such, we got the f-bomb response from the beloved movie star.

I have to wonder if other Bond alums feel similarly exasperated by the constant questioning about playing 007. Prior to signing on for No Time to Die, Daniel Craig famously said he'd rather slash his writs than do another Bond movie. So I can't imagine what the Knives Out star might have done if he was asked about how James celebrated the Christmas.

Of course, the biggest question surrounding the 007 franchise is exactly who might replace Daniel Craig as James, and what direction Denis Villeneuve will be taking the story in the upcoming Bond 26. Whichever actor lands the gig is going to have some big shoes to fill, and should likely prepare for non-stop questions about playing the Ian Fleming character.

It's currently unclear when the next Bond movie will hit theaters, but many of the movie's titles are currently streaming on Tubi for free. Hopefully we get more information about what's coming next soon.

James Bond has been one of the most talked-about franchises recently for the simple reason that, while we know a new Bond movie is coming, we know almost nothing about it. One thing that we do know is that Denis Villeneuve will direct the film, and former Bond director Martin Campbell has some advice for the man who will launch the next era of Bond.

30 years ago, Martin Campbell directed Pierce Brosnan’s first film as James Bond, Goldeneye, and years later, he would again launch a new Bond when Daniel Craig took over the role for Casino Royale. Speaking with Gold Derby Campbell has simple (though expletive-ridden) advice for Villeneuve, saying basically, “don’t overthink it.” Campbell said…

As different as Goldeneye and Casino Royale are in many respects, there’s no question that they are both James Bond movies. And it’s likely that underlying quality that Campbell is talking about when he says “don’t break what isn’t broken.” There’s a core formula to what makes a Bond movie that clearly works, and trying to be too radical with your interpretation runs a risk.

This also seems to be what Campbell means when he says the next Bond doesn’t need to be a reboot. There’s no need to start this new Bond era with something drastically different. Although from a plot standpoint, the next Bond actually will need to be some sort of reboot; the last James Bond died.

This detail has reportedly been something of a problem for new franchise owners Amazon MGM as they attempt to get the new era of Bond going. It seems that the fact that Bond died in the last movie is being seen as a difficult hurdle to overcome, although most audiences, when given a James Bond movie, will likely simply enjoy a James Bond movie.

Denis Villeneuve’s abilities as a director are not in question. He’s made numerous great films, and is in the middle of completing a trilogy of three of the most intensely produced science fiction movies ever made. Still, we don’t really know what a 007 movie under Villeneuve will look like.

Reports are that a new Bond movie will focus on the youngest Bond we’ve seen on screen. Beyond that, we’ll likely have to wait for a script to be completed before the real search for the next James Bond can truly begin.

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.

Kris Jenner showed off a snatched figure in the most glamorous red dress to go with her new facelift as she celebrated a milestone birthday, but she should know that Kim Kardashian is never one to be overshadowed. The SKIMS founder channeled a classic Halle Berry look befitting of the James Bond-themed bash, and we’ve got the pictures to prove it.

It was quite the star-studded affair, as some of the richest and most famous people in the world attended Kris Jenner’s 70th birthday party hosted by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez. Kim Kardashian understood the 007-themed assignment, sporting a sparkly purple top and matching skirt in a nod to Halle Berry’s iconic movie dress from Die Another Day. Check out the party pics:

It’s not an exact replica of the dress that Halle Berry wore to play Giacinta ”Jinx” Johnson in the 2002 Bond film, but the inspiration is clear. It actually may be most recognizable from the behind, with Kim Kardashian’s gown featuring crystal-embellished crossed straps across her back, as well as more sparkled detailing on her posterior that are similar to Berry’s character:

The most notable difference between Kim Kardashian’s look and the Lindy Hemming and Donatella Versace set that Halle Berry wore is the amount of skin shown. Kardashian’s cropped top stops well above her low-cut skirt, showing off a bit of her toned midriff. As you can see below, the dress in Die Another Day was more full-coverage over Berry’s midsection:

Kim Kardashian wore her hair in a curly up-do and reportedly accessorized with Lorraine Schwartz jewelry.

It wasn’t just the red carpet-worthy attire that made Kris Jenner’s celebration of seven decades such an upscale affair. Candid photos on the birthday girl’s Instagram boast a ridiculous who’s who of the rich and famous, with Jenner posing with celebrities including Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, Mark Zuckerberg, Mariah Carey, Paris Hilton, Chris Rock, Alicia Keys, Tyler Perry and so many more.

It goes without saying that her boyfriend Corey Gamble was also present, as well as a good contingent of the Kardashian-Jenner children — some of whom posed for pics that their mom posted:

I can’t even begin to imagine the price tag for such an event, and I’m actually desperate to know what kinds of gifts are given at a party of this caliber.

After Kris Jenner and Khloé Kardashian gifted Lauren Sánchez a $7,000 purse just for returning to Earth after an 11-minute space flight, this doesn’t seem like the kind of crowd that’s satisfied with a novelty T-shirt, spa gift card or nice bottle of wine (unless it’s a very meaningful bottle like the one Corey Gamble likely dropped five figures on for Kylie Jenner’s birthday).

We’re also talking about Kris Jenner here, who spent upwards of $200,000 apiece on Birkin bags for Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian, and they weren’t even turning 70. One wonders if the famous $7,000 Kardashian birthday cake would even suffice for such a shindig.

There’s no arguing that 70 is a big birthday, and Kris Jenner has a lot to celebrate — in fact, she probably didn’t even care that Kim threatened to steal a sliver of her spotlight with her nod to Halle Berry. Catch more of the famous family on new episodes of The Kardashians each Thursday with a Hulu subscription.

Over the weekend, I was casually surfing YouTube, and I came across a video claiming Amazon was airbrushing out the guns in classic James Bond posters used as the thumbnails for the James Bond movies on the streamer. The controversy grew online, and though Amazon removed the posters as the thumbnails, they were replaced by a screenshot of Bond, all sans firearms.

This all reminded me of a similar circumstance from a couple of decades ago, when Steven Spielberg seemingly spent a fair amount of money replacing all the guns in the hands of law enforcement officials with walkie-talkies in his classic, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, which is available with a Netflix subscription, for that movie’s 20th anniversary version, released in 2002. Amazon should maybe look back on how Spielberg later felt about the decision.

Steven Spielberg Made A Few Changes For The 2002 Release

If we hop in the time machine all the way back to 2002, we’ll see that remixing and re-editing old sci-fi movies was all the rage (I’m looking at you, George Lucas), and Spielberg, much like his friend, decided to play with E.T. a little. For example, he swapped out the word “terrorist” for “hippie” when Michael and his mom were talking about his Halloween costume. Spielberg also used CGI to alter the iconic shot of Elliott and E.T. flying past the moon.

By far the most controversial choice that Spielberg made was to use CGI to replace the guns in the hands of the law enforcement officers pursuing Elliott and his friends with walkie-talkies. It’s a decision the director later regretted, telling Time magazine in 2023,

It’s advice that Amazon should heed. No matter what they want to make Bond in the future, and we can discuss that at another time, they should be careful not to mess with the legacy of the iconic franchise.

This Isn’t The First Time Amazon Has Done This

Last year, Amazon made a similar change to Full Metal Jacket’s thumbnail. The company removed the words “Born to Kill” from Matthew Modine’s character Joker’s helmet in the photo. The helmet famously has those words next to a peace sign in the movie and in much of the promotional material, and it’s been that way since the movie was released in 1987.

One of the things that makes the Stanley Kubrick movie one of the best war movies of all time is, as Joker puts it in the movie, the “duality of man.” The movie is meant to be hard to watch, controversial, and conflicting. No one should ever santatize it, for any reason. That goes for Bond, too. Early Bond films, all of which are available with a Prime subscription, are, as Spielberg said about E.T., a product of their time, and whitewashing the history isn’t right, even if they don't meet the standards of our time.

Amazon has stirred up a digital firestorm after releasing promotional artwork for its James Bond movie franchise catalog that conspicuously omitted 007’s signature firearm, a move that didn’t go unnoticed by longtime fans of the series. In celebration of James Bond Day on October 5, Amazon updated its Amazon Prime Video subscription platform in the UK with new poster-style thumbnails for classic Bond films. But eagle-eyed viewers quickly spotted something... missing.

“Notice in these Amazon #JamesBond digital posters, they’ve removed all the guns and given awkward poses?” wrote X user @GelNerd, who first highlighted the changes with side-by-side images, which you can see below, showing the new edits versus the original posters. “Welcome to a world where promoting James Bond 007 needs to be done without his sidearm.” His posts quickly gained traction, sparking debate among fans and pundits alike over what some saw as a sanitized revision of the legendary spy’s image.

The altered posters spanned every era of 007 — from the Sean Connery movies to the Roger Moore era and the Pierce Brosnan flicks, all the way through to the Daniel Craig era. Iconic titles like Dr. No, GoldenEye, and Octopussy, that usually depict the spy confidently wielding his Walther PPK, now depict him awkwardly folding his arms or gesturing with empty hands. In some cases, such as the Spectre promo featuring Daniel Craig, the gun was simply cropped out of the frame. One A View to a Kill poster with Moore, even appeared to digitally extend his arm to hide the pistol entirely, a change that left many fans raising their eyebrows.

The backlash was swift. Adventure novelist Scott McCrea wrote about the edits:

British actor Rufus Jones joked that the new poses made it look as if Bond was making offensive gestures. The Rivals actor posted:

Some fans even created memes replacing the missing gun with everything from bananas to hairdryers. But my personal favorite is Brosnan holding a hoagie, that might or might not be a secret Q gadget.

Many fans found the decision a troubling sign of how the upcoming James Bond 26 and the franchise as a whole could be headed under Amazon MGM Studios, which now holds the reins to the 007 empire. With Dune director Denis Villeneuve recently announced as the next Bond film’s director, the franchise is clearly in transition — but for many, removing Bond’s gun goes too far. Here are some of the most pointed criticisms from longtime fans:

• @Commenter51 – “I mean a spy can be unarmed but isn’t he supposed to be a licensed assassin?”
• @FPLObiWan – “Can’t wait to watch The Man with the Golden.”
• @johnklyza – “He looks guarded and insecure now…”
• @grungewater — “Are they going to do the same thing to Clint Eastwood films?”
• @HumanoidHistory – “If they want to downplay guns in promotional images, so be it. But it’s so obvious and ham-fisted. Heck, they bought the archive. Go find some find some fresh pics, Amazon!”

As of this writing Amazon hasn't responded to the controversy, but the streamer quietly updated their Prime Video artwork over the weekend. The new thumbnails feature stills from the actual films, but, none of the current images show 007 clearly holding a firearm.

As of now, fans in the UK can browse the Bond library on Prime Video without the “gunless” thumbnails, but the damage has been done. The incident has reignited ongoing conversations about modernizing legacy franchises without erasing or whitewashing key elements of their identity.

Last week, we finally got a little bit of news for the upcoming James Bond 26 film that we can sink our teeth into. We already knew that the next installment of the venerable franchise will be directed by Denis Villeneuve and written by Steven Knight. While we still don’t know who will play the iconic spy, we did get some hints as to what Knight’s script may include. I’ll say it right out, I’m not encouraged.

It Sounds Like This May Be A James Bond Origin Story

According to the news first reported by Deadline last week, scriptwriter Steven Knight (creator of Peaky Blinders and House of Guinness, which you can watch with a Netflix subscription), is “going back to Bond’s beginnings,” including his time in the Navy before he was recruited by MI6 and before he attained “Double 0” status. This is hardly music to my ears.

Adding to that is the reporting that Villeneuve is looking for an unknown actor in his late 20s or early 30s to replace Daniel Craig as the legendary character. A younger actor would presumably be there to play a younger Bond. All of this adds up to something I don’t want: a James Bond origin story.

Origin Stories Are Played Out

For me, there is nothing more annoying in superhero movies than repetitive origin stories. Every director of a Batman movie seemingly has to give the audience his version of Bruce Wayne’s parents’ death, as if it’s not an indelible piece of pop culture history at this point. One of the most refreshing things about James Gunn's Superman is that there wasn’t a boring origin story. We know who Superman is and how he became Big Blue, so let’s get the story started!

As far as Bond goes, we’ve been watching these films for more than 60 years. Does anyone really want to see how he became Bond? I know I don’t. I want to see him dropped right into his next adventure, new actor or not. This is how the franchise operated for decades. Even as it jumped from the Connery era to the Moore era and beyond, we never had to deal with a tedious backstory. Bond was immediately off and running from the opening scene on. Daniel Craig’s first movie did have an origin story, but it was mercifully brief.

Maybe I’m Alone Here, But I Doubt It

I’ve been watching Bond movies since I saw my first one in theaters in the mid-80s (Octopussy), so maybe it’s just me, but I don’t think so. Not only do most fans of the franchise know a little about Bond’s history, like the character having served in the Royal Navy before joining MI6, but I have to ask, do we even want to know his whole history?

The Craig era of Bond films delved into his past more than at any other point in the franchise. In Spectre, audiences traveled with Bond and M (Dame Judi Dench) to his ancestral home in Scotland, for example. Really, though, one of the coolest things is that so much about him is a mystery. It’s like he came fully formed as a super spy, and that’s the way I like it. Please keep it that way!

British fugitive Ronnie Biggs spent decades on the run from the law in the United Kingdom. The government and the public knew where he was most of that time, as he was openly living in Brazil, exploiting the country’s lack of an extradition agreement with the U.K. It turns out, he was almost tricked into getting arrested by officials when they posed as crew members of the James Bond film, Moonraker, starring Roger Moore. Here’s what happened.

Biggs Had Ducked Arrest For More Than Three Decades

Biggs was part of the crew that pulled off the infamous Great Train Robbery in England in 1963 (not to be confused with the movie based on a Michael Crichton book of the same name). He was caught, along with most of his cohorts, a few weeks after the robbery and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. He escaped after serving 15 months, and first fled to Paris, then Australia, before finally settling in Rio de Janeiro in 1970.

While in Rio, Biggs basically lived out in the open. By the time the press discovered where he was, his Brazilian girlfriend was pregnant, and Brazil wouldn’t allow the father of a Brazilian to be extradited. So, Biggs was pretty much free to do whatever he wanted, and for the next 31 years, he often gave interviews and created publicity.

The Kidnapping Attempt Using The Bond Production

In 1979, a former soldier in the U.K. military named John Miller posed as a stuntman for the Roger Moore-era Bond film Moonraker. The Bond film was being shot in Brazil at the time, and Moore knew Biggs’ quest for attention and used this to his advantage. Miller made contact with Biggs, and reportedly “offered” him £5,000 for a cameo in the movie. Biggs was to be flown to Northern Brazil, then taken by boat to the set.

However, it was all a ruse. Miller had no connection to the movie’s production, and it seems his mouth was as big as Biggs’. Miller supposedly told a reporter what his plan was, and that reporter passed the information on to Biggs. Hip to the deception, Biggs never showed up to the meeting, and he once again dodged an attempted arrest. In 2003, 40 years after the heist, Biggs returned to England and was arrested. He spent the next six years in jail and died in 2013.

This whole charade that was cooked up by John Miller was hardly Argo, the fake movie production created by Canadian and American spies to facilitate the escape of hostages in Iran in 1979, and the story turned into an Academy Award-winning movie of the same name in 2012. Eon Productions, which was making Moonraker, wasn’t in on it, nor was the British government. It was a bit like Dog the Bounty Hunter concocting a scheme to catch a fugitive. It didn’t work, but the story would make for a pretty fun movie, though, probably not the next Bond movie.

The next chapter in the James Bond movie franchise may still be a few years out, but the upcoming Bond 26 already sounds like a bold departure from what’s come before—and in the best way possible. With rumors swirling about a long-term 007 successor, the question is: how are director Denis Villeneuve and the creative team approaching the search? Now, we finally have an update.

Deadline reports that Dune and Blade Runner 2049 helmer Denis Villeneuve is planning to start the search for the next 007 once he wraps production on Dune: Part Three in 2026. If you’re hoping for a big-name casting announcement soon, don’t hold your breath. Villeneuve and the producers are reportedly going all-in on a “fresh start,” aiming to cast a British actor—ideally an unknown—in his late 20s to early 30s. They’re looking for someone with raw presence and serious grit. As one source close to the production put it:

The casting is shaping up to give us a leaner, meaner 007 who's grounded in the spirit of Ian Fleming’s original novels. Villeneuve’s team is allegedly leaning into the early Bond material Casino Royale, From Russia With Love and Doctor No, and bringing the character back to his roots, which is a cold, calculating Royal Navy Commander-turned-MI6 operative; less globe-trotting flash and more of a blunt instrument.

If the reporting plays out to be true, it probably rules out a lot of the fan-favorite names that get tossed around every time a new Bond casting comes up. Think Timothée Chalamet, Glen Powell, Jacob Elordi, Austin Butler and pretty much anyone not from the UK. It also likely means we can cross off longtime fan-cast contenders like Idris Elba, Henry Cavill and Tom Hardy, who are either too high-profile or aging out of the vision being shaped here.

This movie won’t pick up where No Time to Die ended. That Bond is dead—literally. Villeneuve’s 007 is reportedly a complete reset, meaning new actor, new timeline and new creative team. The insider went on to say:

That means no returning cast or callbacks to the Daniel Craig era. Unlike previous transitions, where actors like Bernard Lee (M), Lois Maxwell (Moneypenny) and Judi Dench (M) carried over between Bond actors, this reboot is starting entirely from scratch. Dench remains the only actor to span two timelines, making her role especially unique. Yet for Bond 26, it’s all-new everything.

The Bond 26 script, written by Peaky Blinders and Eastern Promises scribe Steven Knight, is still in progress, but all signs point to something more stripped-down and brutal, likely with less gadgetry and a greater focus on grit. It’ll probably feel a lot like early Connery, but with a modern edge. That sounds like a lot of fun to me.

Per Deadline, casting for the next 007 installment won’t begin until Dune: Part Three wraps, with filming expected to start in 2027 and a release slated for 2028. A November premiere is rumored to keep with tradition. We’ll keep you posted as more details emerge.

The future of the James Bond franchise finally appears to be back on track. After a few years in limbo, the next Bond film has producers, a writer, and a director in Denis Villeneuve. The only major thing it's missing now is an actor to play the role. And while all signs point to the eventual casting decision being well, a guy, Reacher’s Maia Sten is making me wonder if a female James Bond isn’t the way to go after all.

Sten, who will next be seen in Neagley, a spinoff of the popular Reacher series, recently posted some images on Instagram that show her in a formal dress, with a martini, and even a cigarette. If you were curious what a female James Bond would even look like, I’m pretty sure it looks like this.

While it’s unclear if Sten’s cocktail is “shaken” or “stirred,” it’s certainly stirring in me a desire to see more of this. Sten has certainly shown her capabilities in action; I’m not saying that we should get a female James Bond, but I am saying that if there were plans for one we could certainly do a lot worse.

Following the confirmation that Daniel Craig would be leaving the role of James Bond following his most recent outing, the conversation of who would be the next James Bond began in earnest. There have not been inconsequential voices calling for a major change to the status quo, including potentially changing Bond’s race or even his gender.

EON Productions Barbara Broccoli had previously stated that while Bond’s race could change, his gender would not. However, with Amazon recently taking over creative control of the Bond franchise, she no longer has final say on that decision. While it’s certainly still unlikely the next James Bond movie could star a woman, it is perhaps theoretically more possible now.

There have been so many names floating around as a potential James Bond that it’s nearly impossible to keep track of them all. Since we knew that Craig was stepping down long before No Time to Die ever came out, the discussion about his replacement has been going on for a very long time. And while it’s been rumored that the plan is for the character to skew very young, with Tom Holland one name that’s been thrown around recently, really anything could happen.

While it’s still fairly unlikely that James Bond will be a woman, Maria Sten has done more to turn me on to the idea in these few images than anything else I’ve seen. If this is even a taste of what we’re going to get when the Neagley series debuts, then I will certainly be paying attention. Maybe she already is the female James Bond.

It has felt like Tom Holland has been everywhere lately. He’s been around promoting his Bero beer and filming new scenes for Spiderman: Brand New Day. His entire relationship timeline with Zendaya is a frequent topic of Internet discussion. His take on life, acting and the pursuit of outside business is also well-reasoned and likable. He’s also athletic as hell, wears a suit well and is British, all things that set him up nicely on the list of Bond hopefuls.

Yet, when he was asked about the prospect the other day by Chef Gordon Ramsay in what might have been the most British conversation ever, I visibly cringed. The convo is funny and the response is well thought out, which is what we’ve come to expect from the young actor, but to be honest, I do not want to see Tom Holland as James Bond. If you are really invested in the franchise, you probably don’t want it either.

I Love Tom Holland, But He Is Not My Vote For James Bond

Listen. I’m totally open to a James Bond who is evolved to modern times. I actually think Daniel Craig was great at balancing that act more than previous iterations, though I could have taken a bit cheekier 007 at times. I’m interested in new takes on the character, and CinemaBlend’s own Rich Knight thinks we should open our minds to the possibility of a Black James Bond or something new and interesting for the franchise. Tom Holland wouldn’t offer diversity from a racial standpoint, but he would from an age standpoint, as Holland is a few years younger than even the “best Bond,” Sean Connery, was when he landed the role at 32. (Holland is 29).

I'm not of the camp that Bond needs to be a middle-aged white guy every time, but Holland’s just not what I envision for the famous spy. Most actors have a range of characters they can play, and to me, Tom Holland is charming as heck and very likable, but he’s not sexually disarming or full of machismo–characteristics that make 007 less straightforward, a little dangerous, and very appealing.

I’d love to have a cup of tea with Tom Holland, and I think he could even pull off the franchise’s stunts and gadgets, but I don’t think the cool-under-pressure and charming aura of the character totally fits his general look or personality. I can’t even really see him saying ‘shaken, not stirred’ with a straight face.

Of course, it’s worth noting Holland and Ramsay were just having a friendly conversation while cooking together. While the Spidey actor said it would be “the pinnacle” of working in the acting business to play the famous 007, it didn’t seem to be something that was being literally teased, but rather something that would be cool to consider. Though it’s also worth pointing out that at one point early in his career, the actor was thinking about a “Young Bond” project. Instead, he ended up taking on Uncharted.

Regardless, the upcoming Bond 26 is gearing up at Amazon and has been prepping for casting for months. There’s a long list of names that have been bandied about to possibly take on the role, though some old favorites like Henry Cavill and Idris Elba seem to have aged out.

Most recently, Holland was allegedly touted along with two other favorites: the very much Australian Jacob Elordi and Babygirl and Where The Crawdads Sing’s Harris Dickinson. In the past, other names like Aaron Pierre (who is also on the younger side), though some actors in their thirties like Richard Madden and Regé-Jean Page have been thrown out in oddsmaker numbers rather than the rumor mill.

If accurate, the majority of these would point to those with an Amazon streaming subscription getting a much younger James Bond, but how it will pan out is anybody’s guess. You know how I feel, now; my vote’s not going to Tom Holland for this gig.

Sometimes you just know you’re not cut out for a job, a gig, or in the case of an actor, a role. For 2025 TV star Luke Hemsworth, that bridge too far is apparently playing 007. However, I think that The Terminal List: Dark Wolf actor is being a bit too hard on himself for the reason why he thinks he’s not cut out to wear this mythical tuxedo.

As he sat down for an interview on SiriusXM’s Andy Cohen Live, the Westworld vet was present when Dark Wolf co-star Tom Hopper was asked about how he feels about talk tipping him as a potential James Bond. I wonder if Hopper kept his status as a previous Bond odds frontrunner in mind, as he provided this statement:

Oh, if that doesn’t sound like Henry Cavill’s 2022 James Bond comments, I don’t know what does. The Umbrella Academy alum is somewhat on the same playing field as Luke Hemsworth, however, as both men are respectively 40 and 44 at the time of this writing. Previous rumors were suggesting that Bond 26 is looking for a “thirty something” 007, so that would disqualify both men - but just barely.

However that’s not where the eldest Hemsworth brother counted himself out for any shaken not stirred drinks on camera. Jumping in right as Tom Hopper finished his bit, Luke Hemsworth pulled the total opposite of shooting one’s shot with these remarks:

I know it’s supposed to be fun, self-deprecating talk, but I think Mr. Hemsworth is counting himself out for the wrong reason. After all, if you look up Daniel Craig’s height online, you’ll find 5’10” as the commonly reported figure. While that’s the shortest of the official 007 acting legacy, it’s not too far from the tallest actor’s stature - as Sean Connery's James Bond movies tower not only in legacy, but also through the man's 6’2” height.

However, as host Andy Cohen further stoked the conversation, he pointed out where Luke stands in the Hemsworth Brothers’ height rankings. That, of course, led this Hemsworth to admit further comedic defeat, acknowledging that he’s the shortest of his three brothers.

The Terminal List: Dark Wolf co-star Tom Hopper, on the other hand, would be the tallest potential actor to play the role, as he stands at 6'5". Perhaps it's best to leave this situation where it is before this becomes an official game of height comparisons. If you want to see Hopper and Hemsworth expanding the universe of Jack Carr's best selling thrillers, you can binge this prequel spinoff on August 27th - with Season 1 of The Terminal List currently being available for streaming only on Prime Video.

The 2025 movie schedule has been quite active when it comes to the next age of 007. As the upcoming James Bond 26 continues to staff up, the search for the next face of Ian Fleming’s literary legend seems to draw closer. Another piece fell into place today, as Denis Villeneuve’s next gig after Dune: Part Three now has a writer. That hiring is not only exciting because it brings us that much closer to the new world of Bond, I think it tells us a lot about the sort of tone we should expect.

Steven Knight, creator of Peaky Blinders and writer behind such films as Eastern Promises and Allied, has been unveiled as the next scribe in charge of England's superior spy. Per the official press release from Amazon MGM Studios, his hiring was announced as follows:

I hate to break it to you folks at home hoping for a return to the more carefree days of Roger Moore’s James Bond, but I think we’re about to see some more gritty adventure after our hero crosses that gun barrel. Bringing in the director of Sicario and the writer behind one of the darkest interpretations of A Christmas Carol together doesn't exactly set off slide whistles in fans’ ears.

What’s also interesting to note is the fact that it also appears that long time Bond franchise writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade are not even in the equation. Mainstays since 1999’s The World is Not Enough, the team would usually work with new collaborators to shape the latest entry in this storied brand. If ever there was a sign of Amazon MGM’s James Bond deal being in full effect, it would probably be this.

I’m not highlighting these facts to be a naysayer, especially as a fan of the darker, more serialized story told during Daniel Craig’s tenure in the tuxedo. Rather, this hire is set to dictate the tone of perhaps the most anticipated decision of all - the next 007. As Amazon’s supposed James Bond wishlist has Tom Holland and contemporaries tipped off as hot tickets, Steven Knight’s script is going to be the template from which actors will have to work with.

While there probably won’t be any specially written sides for future Bonds to try out, the tradition of using classic 007 moments to audition new actors will probably be the next indication of what to expect. As the writer is the engine that drives the direction of the story, provided it agrees with producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman’s vision, whispers about what Mr. Knight’s work will resemble are going to be more important than ever.

I wouldn’t be expecting any breadcrumbs in the near future though. Bond 26 is still in the early phases of development, with the rumored release date for James Bond’s return not arriving until 2028 at the "earliest." So be sure to keep your martini cool in the meantime, as we’ve all got plenty of time to make sure our tuxes go to the cleaners.

The role of James Bond has been vacant ever since Daniel Craig finished his run as the iconic character with No Time to Die back in 2021, and actors ranging from Henry Cavill to Benedict Cumberbatch to Bridgerton vet Regé-Jane Page have been floated as candidates for the next Bond. Recent 007 buzz has surrounded Taron Egerton, known on the big screen for the Kingsman films, but he surprisingly said that he doesn't think he'd be a good choice for it. This reminded me of what Egerton told CinemaBlend about working on Apple TV+'s Smoke as his latest small screen venture.

While Egerton is likely best known for his film work, teaming up with Dennis Lehane for the excellent Black Bird back in 2022 resulted in a critical hit over six intense episodes. The duo collaborated for the second time on Smoke, which premiered back in June in the 2025 TV schedule. I won't get deep into spoilers here for any newcomers, but suffice it to say that the drama centered on arson investigations was appealing enough to draw Jurnee Smollett back to TV and wasted no time on dropping a huge reveal about Egerton's character.

With Egerton deeming the James Bond role as "not quite the thing that would make me happiest" (via Collider), I couldn't help but think back on his comments about the appeal of teaming up with Dennis Lehane for television for the second time after Black Bird. When I asked the actor what appealed to him about re-teaming with Lehane, Egerton explained:

Working as lead on a TV show – with or without Dennis Lehane – means being trusted with a character for multiple episodes, often resulting in much more time playing one character than would happen even in a film franchise. For example, Taron Egerton's two Kingsman films so far equal out to about 4.5 hours total, whereas Smoke will run for nine episodes. Black Bird ran for six. (Both are available streaming with an Apple TV+ subscription.)

Both Smoke and Black Bird also gave Egerton the chance to share a fair amount of screentime with costars like Paul Walter Hauser (Black Bird) and Jurnee Smollett (Smoke). For Black Bird, Hauser in fact won the Critics Choice Award, Emmy, and Golden Globe as Best Supporting Actor for his work, with Egerton earning Golden Globe and Emmy nominations as Lead Actor.

When I asked Taron Egerton about his experiences working heavily with these two costars, he described them as "Amazing," then went on:

Does Taron Egerton's evident satisfaction in collaborating with Dennis Lehane on TV shows mean that he's giving up on films? Of course not, and it remains to be seen if Smoke will be his last TV project for a few years. Still, his comments about working on the small screen compared to feeling no desire to play James Bond strike me as unique within the entertainment industry.

As a fan of both Black Bird and Smoke, I'm certainly not mad about Egerton's willingness to branch out from film to television when the right project finds him!

EON Production's James Bond is one of the most popular movie franchises of all time, spanning generations of fans. No Time To Die's ending marked Daniel Craig's final bow as 007, and moviegoers are wondering who will take on the mantle next. One popular fan choice is Kingsman star Taron Egerton, who recently addressed all the chatter about him as the beloved MI6 agent.

With Daniel Craig's Bond movies in the rear view, it seems only a matter of time before another actor takes on the role of 007. Egerton has been a popular choice, especially since we've seen him in action spy movies before. In an interview with Collider, the actor was asked if he's down to play the martini-sipping character, and he responded with:

Darn. While he's usually included in the James Bond odds, it sounds like the Rocketman actor isn't actually interested in playing that iconic character. I have to wonder how this will change his ranking among the fans, as well as any bets that are being set about this particular casting.

One might wonder exactly why Egerton feels this way. After all, he's done plenty of exhausting action sequences throughout the Kingsman franchise. In the same interview, the Carry-On star spoke more about why he wasn't interested. He said:

He's not wrong. While Daniel Craig was able to work on a few other projects during his tenure, Bond is a career-consuming role. And that's not necessarily something that Egerton is interested in at this point in his career. Instead, he'd rather take various passion projects that come up.

Age-wise, Taron Egerton seems like an excellent choice for 007. He's currently 35 years-old, which is three years younger than Craig was when he debuted in Casino Royale. Alas, Egerton seems to think someone younger should get the gig, as he said:

Well, that's one popular choice who seemingly isn't going to actually be playing 007. Other fan choices include Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Richard Madden, Henry Cavill, and Regé-Jean Page. Only time will tell who actually lands the role, and whether or not it's a familiar face.

The James Bond franchise is definitely in a transitional period, and for more than its casting. Amazon-MGM are set to produce the next movie, marking a major change in the property.

What we know about James Bond 26 is very slim, and it's not expected to arrive on the 2025 movie release list. Hopefully we get news about casting sooner rather than later... just don't expect Taron Egerton to get in on the fun.

In the world of James Bond movies, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is a vital cornerstone. George Lazenby’s only 007 adventure, the 1969 classic was deemed a failure upon its initial release - but has grown in profile over the ensuing decades. Which is why I had to see it in an actual movie theater when my local independent theater announced another repertory showing.

I was blown away again by experiencing director Peter Hunt’s blockbuster outside of a living room for a change. However, this latest viewing got me thinking about how OHMSS’ tragic ending actually found itself referenced through every 00-actor that succeeded it. In one case, I even found myself loving a personal favorite even more, as it’s technically the unofficial sequel to this outing.

Let’s get into why what happened to “the other feller” of the James Bond legacy still resonates to this day.

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service Started A Continuity Thread Through The Classic Bond Movies

If you’re someone who’s rewatched the James Bond legacy so much you can recite the opening to some of your favorites, there seems to be little room for surprises. That would be true, if you didn’t know where to look.

While it may not seem like it on face value, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is actually the start to a run of movies that tell a more continuous story than we’re used to in the older films. In order to start processing that, we need to visit the grave of the dearly departed Contessa Teresa di Vicenzo - also known as Tracy Bond (Diana Rigg).

For Your Eyes Only Acknowledged Tracy's Death, Long After It Was Seemingly Ignored

It feels like a very conscious effort was put into overwriting Tracy’s death in the wake of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service - and it didn’t take long to kick in. I won’t go into deep detail here, but in Diamonds Are Forever, Sean Connery’s James Bond is seen rampaging against Blofeld with no mention of his late wife, and Miss Moneypenny (Lois Maxwell) cracking a joke about an engagement ring.

We wouldn’t feel the sting of this passing until the vastly underrated For Your Eyes Only, released in 1981. Roger Moore’s most serious Bond story, the film opens with him visiting Tracy’s grave.

What follows is what feels like a progenitor to Quantum of Solace, as Moore’s 007 learns that vengeance isn’t the end of grief. Sure, he learns that lesson after dropping a nemesis that looks like Blofeld, but can’t be due to the SPECTRE rights drama of the past; but he does learn.

License To Kill Gave Timothy Dalton A Chance To Inject More Emotions Into 007

In the documentary Everything or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007, Timothy Dalton laid out why he’d taken the role of James Bond in the first place. Coincidentally enough, Dalton had turned down the offer to star in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, as he felt he was too young.

As you watch this clip about how he approached Commander Bond, Mr. Dalton's commitment to getting back to Ian Fleming's source material is on full display:

The 1923 baddie was always in tune with Fleming’s James Bond; so it was only fitting that 1989’s License to Kill weave in a scene where Felix Leiter (David Hedison) tells his newly wedded wife Della (Priscilla Barnes) the Cliff’s Notes version of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. One read on Timothy Dalton’s more monogamous secret agent has always been a reaction to the burgeoning AIDS crisis in the ‘80s; but drawing upon this particular entry as an inspiration must have also been in the cards.

The World Is Not Enough Is Basically The OHMSS Sequel We Never Got

The more I think about the Pierce Brosnan James Bond movies, his entire run plays upon 007’s greatest heartbreak. Trevalyan (Sean Bean) quips about the screams of the women he couldn’t save in Goldeneye, the tragedy of Paris Carver (Teri Hatcher) is a direct echo in Tomorrow Never Dies, and one could say that Die Another Day gave Bond his happiest ending yet with Jinx (Halle Berry.)

Having said that, the one movie that feels like a direct continuation that processes this grief is The World is Not Enough. This is mostly seen through the character of Elektra King (Sophie Marceau), a rich industrialist’s daughter who loves skiing and has a soft spot for the good Commander.

Her heel turn cuts even deeper, when you realize that Brosnan’s third time in the tuxedo weaponized his dead wife’s memory - by giving us a villain who resembled her close enough to lower his defenses. Much like On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, this is a 007 movie that doesn’t get the credit it deserves.

The Daniel Craig Run Of James Bond Owes A Huge Debt To OHMSS

Tracy Bond’s death echoed the strongest before Casino Royale’s soft reboot in 2006. That didn’t mean the contributions of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service were totally discarded. In fact I think that Daniel Craig’s James Bond run was the next stage in honoring the heart of James Bond. Only this time, Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) became the failure that haunted 007 throughout the rest of his life.

From that point on, loss defined the character, for better and worse. Bond would eventually suffer a greater loss, thanks to the death of M (Dame Judi Dench) in 2012’s Skyfall. Much like the Algerian Love Knot Vesper wore around her neck, James’s story came full circle in No Time to Die’s heartbreaking finale. Sacrificing himself to save Madeleine Swan (Léa Seydoux) and their daughter, Commander Bond finally let the trauma of the past go - in order to protect the future.

All of this analysis comes from On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’s journey from a seemingly skippable outlier to 007’s urtext for the 21st century. I’ve always been partial to it, because of the fact that my father’s own fandom for this series was strengthened by seeing this in theaters during its initial run.

Now that I can say I’ve seen it on the big screen, I think George Lazenby’s James Bond is further embedded in my heart. With a new producing team embarking on James Bond 26 with director Denis Villeneuve, I hope that all involved don’t forget to pay homage to this touchstone from time to time. Seen as quite possibly the most faithful Ian Fleming adaptation in the bunch, it’s worth keeping close at hand if you’re looking to see that 007 magic as it was intended.

Our landscape of 2025 movies doesn’t see 007 returning any time soon, especially with James Bond 26 supposedly still being a couple of years out. I know I’m not the only person looking forward to the dawn of a new Bond, but I was pleasantly surprised to recently discover how much of a geek Superman’s David Corenswet is about the series.

That realization came from his appearance on Brittany Broski’s Royal Court in a segment that didn’t make the series proper. The 2006 launch of the Daniel Craig James Bond movies allowed Corenswet to dig deep into the weeds of the franchise commenting on Casino Royale’s memorable James Bond pre-credits sequence with a fan theory:

I can see why that snippet was cut for time but released to the public separately. It’s a pretty huge thinker centered on the opening sequence of Casino Royale, which features James Bond killing two enemies of Britain. As noted by David Corenswet, that’s the requirement for earning one’s 00-license to kill on paper.

However, the Twisters actor suggests that in James Bond’s heart and mind, the qualifying kills were truly executed when he dispatched of the opening henchman. That’s because while 007 thought he killed the man by drowning him, it's pulling the trigger that finally punches the man’s ticket – counting as a second kill.

Before we go any further, feel free to watch the scene in question for yourself. It'll be pretty important to the final leg of this discussion.

The reason I’m inclined to agree with this read on Casino Royale’s opening is because Daniel Craig’s time in the tuxedo focused on the psyche of Ian Fleming’s creation. There’s even a line later on in this soft reboot where he asks M (Dame Judi Dench) if he’s to become “half monk, half hitman.”

James Bond knew that the bean counters at MI6 needed two bodies, for strategic and quantitative reasons. But walking in to take out Dryden (Malcolm Sinclair) was nothing more than a formality in his mind, as he learned through the traitor’s dead contact that you only live twice.

If it weren’t for Amazon’s supposed 007 Wishlist upholding the tradition of keeping 007 British, and if more Superman excitement wasn’t an obvious concern, I’d seriously entertain Corenswet’s potential casting as the next James Bond. Seeing as James Brolin was almost an American James Bond, and we’ve had English actors like Henry Cavill and Christian Bale play DC superheroes, I’d actually be open to that possibility.

Of course, we’re in a world where David Corenswet is Superman, and that’s pretty swell as well. Those of you who haven’t caught up with the latest big screen adventure featuring the last son of Krypton can do so in theaters, with Superman’s 3D/4DX option being so great that you should seriously consider it.

As the 2025 movie schedule turns, we’ve seen a lot of movement on the picture we still call James Bond 26. A whole bunch of changes have taken shape, most notably the departure of former Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. The long-time producers of the 007 saga aren’t totally divested from the goings on, however, as Ms. Broccoli has actually shared her reaction to Denis Villeneuve landing the Bond 26 director’s chair.

During her chat on film critic Mark Kermode’s podcast, Kermode on Film, the previous overseer of the James Bond movies provided this feedback:

Denis Villeneuve, much like former competitor Christopher Nolan, is someone we all know has been chasing that famed gun barrel. With Amazon-MGM’s rumored Bond 26 plans seeming to gain momentum, the hiring has sparked all sorts of speculation, especially when it comes to the recently rumored James Bond candidates.

At the same time, the progress on the follow-up to No Time to Die has seen momentous shake-ups altering the playing field for the first time in decades. Thanks to Amazon-MGM’s James Bond deal, the studio has creative control, which saw the hiring of producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman as the new overseers of all things Bond.

Meanwhile, Barbara Broccoli seems to be at peace with her trajectory moving forward, post-007. While there were reports of alleged frustration with Amazon-MGM's executive team on where to take things after Daniel Craig's tenure concluded, the optimism shown in this interview seems to run counter to that impression.

Commenting on her time in the franchise, as well as her plans for the future, the producer of the stage musical adaptation of Sing Street had this to say:

Clearly, there are open roads for all, based on what’s been said here. It truly is sweet to see Barbara Broccoli throwing her support behind Denis Villeneuve, as he makes his way to his Bond 26 duties. Now, all that needs to happen is for the recently retitled Dune: Part Three to be completed, and the Sicario mastermind can get to the task at hand.

Oh, and there’s also the task of getting a script in play. Not to mention hiring the new James Bond, and the rest of the MI6 family - should they be present in this new relaunch. We’ve still got some time until James Bond returns, but if you want to catch up with Paul Atredies, the spice will flow again into theaters on December 18, 2026.

Even before Daniel Craig officially hung up his perfectly pressed 007 tuxedo after five movies and over fifteen years as the iconic character, fans have been discussing who the next James Bond should be. Bridgerton actor Regé-Jean Page has long been at the center of rumors to be next in line. The actor just signed on to be in one of the latest upcoming book adaptations, and I’m getting a kick out of what it could mean for his 007 chances.

Regé-Jean Page Has Signed On To A New Series That Could Bring Him Closer To James Bond

After the British actor recently starred alongside Pierce Brosnan in espionage movie Black Bag, Page has reportedly found his next project with an adaptation of the 2022 novel, Funny You Should Ask. Per Deadline, he’s set to star and executive produce the TV show for Apple. The book by Elissa Sussman is a romance about a journalist named Chani Horowitz who interviews a Hollywood heartthrob of hers named Gabe Parker… who also happens to be the latest James Bond.

So, technically Regé-Jean Page could play an actor who plays James Bond in Funny You Should Ask if the Apple series doesn’t run into rights issues with the aspect of the novel. How hilarious is that? It’s kind of an awesome way for the actor to perhaps get to go full 007 without actually being the face of the franchise. I’m very much looking forward to seeing the Funny You Should Ask series once it’s available to watch with my AppleTV+ subscription, should it continue to go through development and production without a hitch.

Rumors About The Bridgerton Star Playing Bond Has Swirled For Years

As of late, we’ve gotten much closer to finally getting the next James Bond actor considering the latest developments in recent months. What we know about James Bond 26 so far is that it will be helmed by Dune director Denis Villeneuve and produced by Amazon Studios. Most recently, we heard three actors that could be on the movie’s wish list: Tom Holland, Jacob Elordi, and Harris Dickinson.

While Regé-Jean Page isn’t actively on the rumor mill for James Bond right now, he has been for years. He's currently is listed as a favorite on Oddschecker, but no longer in the Top 10. Perhaps the actor figured he’d bite the bullet and play James Bond on his own terms by way of Funny You Should Ask? I think it’s rather ingenious, and allows him to possibly play the role without having to be in the middle of the ongoing first Black James Bond discourse. We’ll of course keep you updated here as more James Bond news comes in.

Despite feeling like we’ve come closer to seeing James Bond 26 in action, we still have a bit of a wait to endure ahead of us. Amazon-MGM Studios’ rumored 007 wish list doesn’t make it any easier, as the likes of Tom Holland, Jacob Elordi, and Harris Dickinson are now being discussed as the next tuxedoed super spy. This means the audition process might be kicking off real soon, and knowing the traditional methods of sussing out the next Bond, I think some minor tweaks are in order.

Traditional James Bond Auditions Used From Russia With Love As The Material

While it’s not the end-all/be-all part of the process, a lot of stories from 00-auditions past center around one key scene from Sean Connery’s James Bond movies. A moment where Mr. Bond introduces himself to opposing spy Tatiana Romanova (Daniela Bianchi) has been the benchmark for tryouts involving previous hopefuls.

Through stories such as Sam Neill’s reluctant Bond audition and the account of Daniel Craig’s own process of landing the gig, the scene you’re about to see has been present throughout:

As we’ve heard from EON Productions’ resident casting director Debbie McWilliams, the Bond 26 audition process could be as tough as it always has been. Even with frontrunners being thrown around in the press daily, that’s not enough of an indicator to select who would be the right face to carry this legacy franchise into a new era.

Daniel Craig’s mythic shadow kind of makes it even harder, which is why I think we need to use a selection of moments from his movies to really vet the next generation properly.

The Next James Bond Should Run A Gauntlet Of James Bond Scenes From Daniel Craig’s Arc…

Daniel Craig’s James Bond movies evolved the character in such a way that emotional weight is inherent to his personality. Put that together with 007 being in his most physically fit form, and you’ll also need to test the physical performance abilities of such a star.

If I had to narrow it down to three scenes that put this to the test, they’d be the opening bathroom fight from Casino Royale, Bond’s “I never left” scene at the end of Quantum of Solace, and his interrogation by Javier Bardem’s Silva in Skyfall. In this triptych of moments, you’d have emotional range, cutting wit, and stunt work all on display.

I think the relationship between James Bond and M is the bedrock that really needs to anchor 007 in his future adventures. My apologies to those of you disappointed that I didn't include any Vesper scenes from Casino Royale. However, I’d say whoever gets into the next round would need to work through at least one of those more tender moments.

All of this talk about the process to land a new 007 is pretty lengthy, and you can begin to see why it’ll take a minute to secure a new actor. If reports of the next James Bond movie being “impossible” to land before 2028 are true, there will be plenty of time to audition the next iteration of the Commander himself.

Of course, if the 2026 video game 007 First Light hits as big as IO Interactive is hoping, we could see the playing field shaken up a little further. I’ll wait until the gameplay footage drops later this summer before really weighing First Light’s “mysterious” actor as a candidate any further. Surely we have the time before any official decisions are made, right?

If you woke up to the sound of cash register dings and saw dollar signs flashing behind your eyeballs in the bathroom mirror as you brushed your teeth, it can only mean one thing: Amazon's sales extravaganza has arrived! The 2025 Prime Day deals are live and ready to make that Amazon Prime subscription feel worth every penny.

We're live-blogging lots of entertainment deals for fans of all sorts, and if you're like me, you'll probably never stop trusting in the longevity of physical media. Streaming platforms are shows randomly more often than anyone should be comfortable with, leaving fans without any digital ways to access those shows. So the best solution is always to invest in Blu-rays and DVD. (I'll save my thoughts on CDs, vinyl and printed media for another day.)

It's an unofficial measurement to say the best Blu-rays and DVDs are the ones bought with the biggest discounts, but let's just blindly believe in it, and put our attention on some of the biggest wins of the day for fans like us.

Prime Day's Best Discounts On Blu-Ray And DVD Movies And Collections

• The James Bond Collection [Blu-ray] - $54.99 (Was $119.99) Save 54%!
• Dark Knight Trilogy Collection (4K Ultra HD) - $34.99 (Was $74.99) Save 53%!
• Indiana Jones 4-Movie Collection (Blu-ray) - $54.40 (Was $90.99) Save 40%!
• Terminator 6-Film Collection [Blu-ray] - $14.99 (Was $44.99) Save 67%
• Shaun of the Dead / Hot Fuzz / The World's dEnd Trilogy [Blu-ray] - $19.99 (Was $59.98) Save 67%!
• Nightmare on Elm Street Collection (1-7) [Blu-ray] - $19.99 (Was $44.98) Save 56%!
• Star Trek Trilogy: The Kelvin Timeline (4k UHD + Blu-ray + Digital) - $33.23 (Was $50.99) Save 35%!
• Jaws 3-Movie Collection - 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital - $34.99 (Was $79.99) Save 56%
• The Mummy Trilogy - 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital - $26.99 (Was $59.98) Save 55%!
• The Naked Gun Trilogy Collection (Blu-ray) - $12.42 (Was $17.99) Save 31%!
• Twister [4K UHD] - $12.99 (Was $33.99) Save 62%!
• Twisters - Collector's Edition (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital) - $14.99 (Was #33.99) Save 56%
• Gladiator II [4K UHD + Blu-Ray + Digital] - $16.99 (Was $37.99) Save 55%!

Liam Neeson's Naked Gun reboot trailer was a great reminder of how fun those films were, and reminded me that I somehow only own The Police Squad on DVD and none of Frank Drebin's cinematic shitshows. So you can bet that I'll be picking that up while waiting for the new spoof to hit the 2025 release schedule.

Now for some discounted TV love. So many full-season sets on sale, so choose wisely. But I mean, obviously choose The Penguin, even if it means getting into bed with that slimeball Oz. Even beyond Gotham City, though, there are plenty of other great TV settings to spend some time in for a good price. (And there's admittedly more Batman-related fare lower down, too.)

Prime Day's Best Discounts On Blu-Ray And DVD TV Series And TV Collections

• Ted Lasso: The Richmond Way [3 Seasons] (Blu-ray) - $39.99 (Was $89.99) Save 53%
• Game of Thrones: Complete Series (Blu-ray) - $59.99 (Was $179,99) Save 67%!
• The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Series [Blu-ray] - $64.99 (Was $154.99) Save 58%!
• Monty Python's Flying Circus: The Complete Series (Blu-ray) - $49.99 (Was $129.98) Save 62%!
• Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!: The Complete Series (Blu-ray) - $12.99 (Was $54.97) Save 76%!
• Regular Show: The Complete Series (DVD) - $49.99 (Was $99.99) Save 50%!
• Westworld: The Complete Series (Blu-ray) - $39.99 (Was $112.99) Save 65%!
• Batman: The Complete Animated Series (1992) (Blu-ray) - $29.99 (Was $79.99) Save 63%!
• Samurai Jack: The Complete Series (Blu-ray) - $24.99 (Was $69.99) Save 64%
• Supernatural: The Complete Series (Blu-ray) - $104.99 (Was $229.99) Save 54%!
• Babylon 5: The Complete Series (Blu-ray) - $54.99 (Was $134.99)
• Twin Peaks: From Z to A [Blu-Ray] - $47.30 (Was $69.99) Save 32%!
• Pee-wee's Playhouse: The Complete Series [Blu-ray] - $34.49 (Was $99.98) Save 66%!
• Psych: The Complete Collection [DVD] - $34.99 (Was $79.98) Save 56%!
• Star Trek: Enterprise: The Complete Series [Blu-ray] - $63.48 (Was $90.99) Save 30%!

Batman: The Animated Series, Twin Peaks and Pee-Wee's Playhouse will all feel a bit different watching them after the deaths of Kevin Conroy, David Lynch and Paul Reubens, but that's no reason to shy away from three totally singular classics.

Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for more Prime Day deals for movie and TV fans.