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.

Some SPOILERS are ahead for all of the Mission: Impossible movies, now streaming with a Netflix subscription (except for The Final Reckoning, which is in theaters).

I’m still in shock over here. Are the Mission: Impossible movies really over and done with? Watching Tom Cruise hang off a biplane and try to recover a module in the depths of the ocean on the big screen really awakened something in me. And that something was going back over the Mission: Impossible movies now that they recently joined the 2025 Netflix releases.

And I have to say… I really forgot how many incredibly talented actors have shown up in the movies over the years! Of course, I had remembered Ving Rhames' Luther being there from the beginning, and it only made knowing his death in Final Reckoning hit harder. And, there’s no way I’m ever forgetting Philip Seymour Hoffman’s role as Owen Davian. But, there were quite a few appearances that genuinely shocked me. I’ll break them down below:

Jon Voight

Starting with the first Mission: Impossible movie, it pretty much felt like I was watching it for the first time when I kicked it on first. I’ll be honest, the last time I watched it before this, I found it boring in comparison to the newer installments, so I kind of have been sleeping on it, but I really enjoyed going back to basics with it this time around.

One of the reasons I actually decided to watch it was because Final Reckoning had a flashback to Jon Voight’s role as the leader of the IMF, Jim Phelps, and I had no memory of him in the movie. But, what a great role for the Oscar winner. He plays an excellent first villain for the M:I franchise.

Emilio Estevez

And, early in the Mission: Impossible, I did not have it on my bingo card to see The Breakfast Club’s Emilio Estevez! He plays an IMF agent who dies in an elevator shaft, but what a treat. It’s a fun little role for the actor because both Cruise and Estevez were in The Outsiders together over a decade earlier.

Kristen Scott Thomas

Another pleasant surprise in the first Mission: Impossible was Kristen Scott Thomas as another IMF agent. I’ve seen her in a ton of movies and TV shows over the years, but I just didn’t realize one of the first movies I likely saw her in was actually the first Mission: Impossible.

Jean Reno

And Jean Reno? I was literally going through my viewing of the 1996 first film, gasping left and right at the list of talent. Reno is an accomplished French actor first and foremost, but I’ve loved English-language movies like Léon: The Professional or The Pink Panther with Steve Martin. He’s so solid in Mission: Impossible as an ex-IMF agent who is the man who’s holding up Ethan during his iconic scene where he’s suspended by a wire.

Henry Czerny

The last one I want to bring up from the first movie is Henry Czerny. The character of Kittridge, the director of the IMF, is obviously in The Final Reckoning after being in Dead Reckoning as well, but I had sincerely forgotten that he was actually brought back from being in the original film. Rewatching the first movie after Final Reckoning is honestly so satisfying because they added so many callbacks from the first movie, that it’s even better because the last movie exists.

Brendan Gleeson

I moved on to Mission: Impossible 2 next, which I know is not a favorite among fans, but actually remained in my memory a lot more clearly than the first for some reason. I absolutely remembered Dougray Scott and Thandiwe Newton’s key roles in the John Woo film. But the first actor that caught me by surprise was seeing Irish actor Brendan Gleeson of the Harry Potter movies, The Banshees of Inisherin, and 28 Days Later. He plays a CEO who gets kidnapped in the 2000 sequel.

Anthony Hopkins

The other surprising actor in Mission: Impossible 2 was none other than Anthony Hopkins at the very end of the movie. I never would have guessed him showing up late in the action movie just to play Mission Commander Swanbeck for a little scene with Tom Cruise, but it definitely exists. I read that he was actually uncredited in the movie in order to give audiences at the time a shock when he made his appearance, and I find that fun.

Laurence Fishburne

Moving on to J.J. Abrams’ Mission: Impossible 3, I thought I had this one figured out, but yet again I was short-sighted by a few unexpected actors in the mix. This is a great rewatch because it has the first appearance of Simon Pegg’s Benji, and I loved seeing Ethan and him interact for the first time. But Laurence Fishburne being the IMF director? It’s literally perfect casting, and I had no memory of it.

Aaron Paul

Another fun one in Mission: Impossible 3 is Aaron Paul being in a key scene just a couple of years before he officially became Jesse Pinkman in Breaking Bad. He plays Ethan Hunt’s future brother-in-law, Rick, whom he calls during a pivotal scene where the agent is worried about the safety of his fiancée, Julia (played by Michelle Monaghan). Rick is completely clueless; he just aids the movie’s villain in capturing his sister, but Ethan ultimately saves her, so it all turns out OK.

Léa Seydoux

The last movie I watched is one of my favorites, Ghost Protocol. And, I’ve seen this one a lot. I had remembered that Lost’s Josh Holloway briefly shows up in the beginning and dies, because I was obsessed with that show at the time, and that Paula Patton and Jeremy Renner were part of Ethan’s team. Somehow, I forgot the insanely talented Léa Seydoux played an assassin named Sabine. This movie somehow almost came out fifteen years ago? Seeing Seydoux looking much younger made me realize that, but yeah, she’s still a perfect fit for M:I. I only wish she were in it more!

What a blast of a mission for me. The M:I movies really hold up. They continue to be exciting, unexpectedly funny, and full of great talent that have continued to do some great work after being in these movies.

Just like crazy gadgets and classic villains are important to James Bond movies, so-called "Bond girls" have been crucial to the franchise's success. Obviously society has changed quite a bit since Dr. No was released in 1962, and so have the roles these women have played in the adventures. They aren't just a love interest to Bond anymore, though some are, of course, nor do all of them have ridiculous names though some definitely do. Really, it's just all the women who have played important roles,  throughout the years, like the 32 on this list. 

Ursula Andress (Honey Ryder)

The O.G. Bond girl is Honey Ryder, played by Ursula Andress. Bond (Sean Connery) famously meets her as she strolls out of the ocean in a bikini on a small island owned by the titular Dr. No. It's not only one of the most iconic moments of the Bond series, it's one of the most famous in Hollywood history. 

Michelle Yeoh (Wai Lin)

Academy Award-winner Michelle Yeoh first came to Western cinema acclaim as a Bond girl. After years of success in Hong Kong, Yeoh's Hollywood breakthrough came as Wai Lin in Tomorrow Never Dies, starring Pierce Brosnan as Bond. 

Barbara Bach (Anya Amasova)

Actor Barbara Bach is famous for playing a Bond girl in one of the best Roger Moore movies. Bach, who is the wife of Ringo Starr, played a Russian spy named Anya Amasova in The Spy Who Loved Me. Bach was, in fact, the spy who loved Bond. Or Bond was the spy who loved her. Both ways work. The same movie also features one of the best henchmen in Bond history, Jaws. 

Shirley Eaton (Jill Masterson)

The third movie of the Bond franchise, Goldfinger, is pretty almost universally praised as the best of the series. It's certainly the best of the Connery era, despite what some critics claim. Shirley Eaton plays Jill Masterson who meets her demise in one of the most famous scenes in the series when Bond finds her covered in gold paint after her death. 

Tanya Roberts (Stacey Sutton)

Roger Moore's final appearance as James Bond came in 1985's A View To A Kill opposite Tanya Roberts who starred as Stacey Sutton. The late Roberts had a fairly short-lived career in the mid-80s before reviving it as a regular on That '70s Show in the late 1990s and early 2000s. She'll be forever remembered for her moments as a Bond girl. 

Carey Lowell (Pam Bouvier)

Carey Lowell is best known for her two-season run as ADA Jamie Ross on Law & Order in the '90s, but years before that, she was a Bond girl. Lowell played Pam Bouvier, a capable ex-army officer-turned-informant on the cartels Bond is chasing in the Timothy Dalton-as-Bond flick Licence To Kill. 

Teri Hatcher (Paris Carver)

In 1997 Teri Hatcher was coming off an incredibly successful run as Lois Lane in the TV show Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. She parlayed that in a role as James Bond's love interest in Tomorrow Never Dies, named Paris Carver. 

Jane Seymour (Solitaire)

In the United States, Jane Seymour is probably best known as Dr. Michaela Quinn in Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. About 20 years early, she starred as one of the best Bond girls ever, Solitaire, in the first Roger Moore-era Bond movie, Live and Let Die. 

Léa Seydoux (Madeleine Swann)

Léa Seydoux actually starred in two James Bond movies, both featuring Daniel Craig as 007. In both Spectre and No Time To Die, she played Madeleine Swann. She also holds the distinction of being the only actress to play the mother of a James Bond child, which is revealed in the final movie of the Craig era, No Time To Die. 

Halle Berry (Giacinta "Jinx" Johnson)

Before the 21st Century, the producers of the Bond series rarely picked huge stars as Bond girls. That wasn't the case in 2002 when Halle Berry starred as Jinx Johnson in Die Another Day. Berry had just won an Academy Award and was one of the biggest stars in Hollywood when she played Jinx, who was every bit Bond's equal in all ways. 

Maud Adams (Andrea Anders And Octopussy)

Maud Adams is one of two women who have starred in two James Bond movies as Bond girls. Her first, Andrea Anders came in 1974's The Man with the Golden Gun. Her second, and larger role, came as the titular Octopussy in the movie of the same name. Adams also holds the distinction of being the only one to have the same name as the movie. Pretty cool. 

Famke Janssen (Xenia Onatopp)

While she's best known these days for playing Jean Grey/Phoenix in the X-Men movies, Famke Janssen also starred in one Bond movie, GoldenEye, as the ridiculously named assassin Xenia Onatopp. It's one of the sillier names, but the character is all business. 

Diana Rigg (Teresa di Vicenzo/Tracy Bond)

For many Brits, Diana Rigg is known for playing Emma Peel in the '60s spy show The Avengers (no relation to the MCU). For many Americans, she's best known as Olenna Tyrell on Game of Thrones. For Bond fans, she'll always be Tracy Bond, James' first wife, who he married in On Her Majesty's Secret Service, the lone film starring George Lazenby as 007. 

Gemma Arterton (Strawberry Fields)

While Quantum of Solace usually ranks pretty low overall among Bond aficionados, Gemma Arterton deserves a lot of praise for his work as Strawberry Fields. While Strawberry Fields is one of the silliest names in the canon, at least it's not an innuendo. 

Daniela Bianchi (Tatiana Romanova)

Daniela Bianchi is an Italian actress who brilliantly played a Soviet spy in From Russia With Love. Tatiana Romanova, the character Bianchi, set the standard for the capable foil to Bond, rather than a damsel in distress as Honey Ryder was in Dr. No.

Maryam D'Abo (Kara Milovy)

Timothy Dalton only got to play Bond in two films, but in one of him, he got to star opposite Maryam D'Abo, who played the classical musician Kara Milovy. The Living Daylights is, like the other Dalton movie, Licence To Kill is underrated, and along with that, D'Abo's excellent performance. 

Kim Basinger (Domino Petachi)

Okay, okay, so Never Say Never Again isn't an official James Bond movie, but it does feature one of the biggest stars to ever play a Bond girl. Kim Basinger was already a big deal when she signed on to join Sean Connery in his return as 007 in the remake of Thunderball. 

Denise Richards (Christmas Jones)

The producers of The World Is Not Enough took a lot of grief for casting Denise Richards as Dr. Christmas Jones. Critics complained that she couldn't be taken seriously as a doctor, or something. It was pure sexism because Richards was fine in the role and fit the mold of a Bond girl perfectly. Her stupid character name wasn't her fault, either. 

Eva Green (Vesper Lynd)

Vesper Lynd is one of two Bond girls who actually married the super spy. Eva Green plays Lynd in Casino Royale and like the other woman who married Bond, Tracy, in On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Lynd doesn't make it to the end of the movie. She is killed in front of Bond in Venice in one of the most tragic endings to any Bond movie. 

Grace Jones (May Day)

Without question, May Day, played by Grace Jones, in A View To A Kill is one of the most intimidating Bond girls. She's bold and built like a truck. She's a woman of few words, but she can intimidate with nothing more than a look. Grace Jones wasn't in a ton of movies over her unique career, but maybe she should have been more based on this. 

Jill St. John (Tiffany Case)

Jill St. John, who plays Tiffany Case in Diamonds Are Forever has had a long career, going back to the 1950s. In 1971, she starred alongside Sean Connery in his return to the role of 007 and she holds the distinction of being the first American Bond girl. 

Sophie Marceau (Elektra King)

Elektra King, played by Sophie Marceau, is a quintessential Bond girl. She's both Bond's lover and his enemy in The World Is Not Enough. As such, Marceau plays both vulnerable and vicious and the French actress nails both. 

Bérénice Marlohe (Sévérine)

Skyfall is consistently ranked as one of the fans' favorites and that's in no small part to Bérénice Marlohe, who plays Sévérine. Marlohe hasn't starred in many English-language films, in fact, Skyfall was her first, but you'd never know if from the French actor's performance in the Bond universe. 

Mie Hamna (Kissy Suzuki)

Let's be honest, Kissy Suzuki has to be the silliest name ever. It's just ridiculous. That doesn't mean that actress Mie Hamna's performance as the Japanese ninja/spy in You Only Live Twice was silly. The Japanese actress didn't speak much English, but she left an impression on moviegoers, despite her lines being overdubbed. 

Izabella Scorupco (Natalya Simonova)

Natalya Simonova, played by Polish actress Izabella Scorupco, is a stereotypical Bond girl who is a bit of a damsel in distress but turns out to be very capable when teamed with Bond. Scorupco. The multi-talent Scorupco is also a singer and even hosted one season of Sweden's version of Top Model. 

Ana De Armas (Palona)

We couldn't have this list without Ana de Armas, but she doesn't play a typical Bond girl. The character, Palona, is not Bond's lover, nor is she his enemy. She's his equal in many ways, as a green CIA agent sent to help Bond. De Armas is pretty darn awesome in the role, fighting side-by-side with 007. Of course, even before starring here, she was already a pretty big star. 

Carole Bouquet (Melina Havelock)

At the end of The Spy Who Loved Me, the words "James Bond Will Return in For Your Eyes Only, but after the success of Star Wars, the producers of the franchise pivoted and made Moonraker instead to add some sci-fi to the series. Actress Carole Bouquet auditioned to be the Bond girl in that movie but lost out on the part. Luckily, she landed the role of Bond's ally, Melina Havelock, in For Your Eyes Only when it was finally made. 

Lois Chiles (Holly Goodhead)

Moonraker is... not James Bonds' finest hour, but it's not that bad either. One thing that no one can argue, Dr. Holly Goodhead is the dumbest name in the history of the franchise. Sure, there's always been some sophomoric humor to Bond girl names, but actor Lois Chiles has the unfortunate luck of starring as the character with this over-the-top name. 

Claudine Auger (Domino Derval)

French actress and model Claudine Auger played one of the most famous Bond girls in Thunderball. Her sultry performance set a new standard for the archetype. Auger, who played Domino in the movie, wasn't in a lot of movies American audiences would recognize, but she did represent her native France in the Miss World pageant in the 1950s. 

Lana Wood (Plenty O'Toole)

While she's in the running for the silliest name, Plenty O'Toole doesn't have plenty of screen time, lasting only a few minutes before being thrown out of a window of Bond's hotel room in Diamonds Are Forever. She's played by Lana Wood, sister of the late Natalie Wood. 

Britt Ekland (Mary Goodnight)

Britt Ekland, who was once married to Peter Sellers, stars as Mary Goodnight in The Man With The Golden Gun. Let's be honest here, the writers of the movie were not kind to the character as the British agent isn't a very smart or capable spy. That's on the writers, not Ekland. 

Cassandra Harris (Countess Lisl von Schlaf)

Australian actress Cassandra Harris had an interesting and tragic life. When she starred as Lisl von Schlaf in For Your Eyes Only, he husband in real life was none other than Pierce Brosnan. How's that for meta? Sadly, Harris died of ovarian cancer at just age 43 in 1991. Her mother AND her daughter both died of the same disease in their 40s as well. 

If video game fans thought that the early pandemic years were huge for video game legend Hideo Kojima, 2023 and beyond are shaping out to be even more impressive. The imagination-oozing storyteller only just recently delivered a holiday surprise in the form of confirming Death Stranding 2's existence with a teaser, and now he's revealed a film adaptation of Death Stranding will be the first feature project for his company Kojima Productions. I know I'm not the only one with a growing list of questions, such as "Will the movie maintain the game's all-star cast, as led by Walking Dead star Norman Reedus?" (We all say "as led by" in our heads, right?)

A game that has already drawn mass (though certainly not universal) acclaim for its already cinematic scope and narrative, as well as its varied cast, Death Stranding will still no doubt be a challenge to adapt into a format with a limited frame and runtime. It’s unclear just how deeply involved Kojima will be in the creative process at this early stage, though it’s noted that he will “develop and produce” the project through Kojima Productions alongside Alex Lebovici and his Hammerstone Studios banner. (Lebovici was an EP on the Stephen King-approved and crowd-stupefying horror Barbarian, which is a good sign.) So it’s likely the Metal Gear mastermind will be in charge of figuring out the story’s main beats, if not the entire screenplay. 

The Death Stranding feature is reported as being “on the fast track” and is in active development. The game’s specific plot will remain a mystery for the time being, though it’s already been confirmed that the adaptation will introduce new characters and elements into the branching universe. And since new characters means new actors, let’s talk about the game’s stellar cast and whether or not it’s feasible for everyone/anyone to return. 

For a quick rundown of Death Stranding's lead and recurring cast members:

• Norman Reedus
• Mads Mikkelsen
• Léa Seydoux
• Margaret Qualley
• Lindsay Wagner
• Tommie Earl Jenkins
• Troy Baker
• Guillermo Del Toro
• Emily O'Brien
• Conan O'Brien

Interestingly enough, some of the on-screen talent such as Guillermo Del Toro and Nicholas Winding Refn were only recorded through motion-capture, while their characters’ voices were provided by other actors. (Anyone familiar with Del Toro or Refn’s voices no doubt felt a shock upon hearing what came from their digital mouths in Death Stranding.) But for the biggest and most-present characters, the actor and their voices match up. 

Norman Reedus and Mads Mikkelsen would arguably be the must-get actors here, with Reedus’ Sam Porter Bridger the lonely protagonist to Mikkelsen’s militant antagonist Clifford Unger. Which isn’t to downplay the importance of Margaret Qualley or Lindsay Wagner’s characters in the slightest, or anyone else, but considering Death Stranding’s story largely keeps appearances from non-Sam characters to a minimum for much of its playthrough time, it’d be easier to explain away other casting changes. 

Reedus is currently in France filming the Walking Dead spinoff series Daryl Dixon, and has presumably already filmed the next season of his AMC series Ride (with Keanu Reeves as an upcoming guest star). He was recently revealed to be joining the cast of the John Wick spinoff Ballerina, and Death Stranding 2 is also presumably taking up some of his time. Assuming the Death Stranding feature takes a bit to come together behind the scenes, Reedus could possibly make room in his schedule to bring Sam out to deliver an endless line of cargo across the Knot Cities that form the post-cataclysm United Cities of America.

Meanwhile, Mads Mikkelsen will soon be seen opposite Harrison Ford in the cast of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, and was recently announced to be reteaming with Hannibal creator Bryan Fuller for the horror film Dust Bunny. He’ll also be seen in the upcoming Nikolaj Arcel drama The Bastard, Similar to Reedus, an opening in his schedule should make it easier for the actor to take on Unger in live-action, should he so choose.

I can’t wait to hear more about how Death Stranding will change up its story for adaptation purposes, which will likely amount to way more than the alterations made for the Director’s Cut release. Now if we could just get that long-awaited announcement from Kojima Productions about P.T. coming back from the digital grave, that’d be swell. 

As far as ratings go, at least those handed out by the Motion Picture Association, there is nothing more extreme these days than NC-17. That means no one under the age of 18 can be admitted to a movie with this rating for a multitude of reasons.

Some directors, producers, and studios will re-cut their films to get an R-rating, but there are plenty of NC-17 movies that have been left unedited and sent out into the wild as is, which has resulted in limited releases of some of the most notorious movies of all time. Find out why these films were branded this way, as well as how you can watch them if you are curious, in the following list.

Henry & June (1990) - Fred Ward, Uma Thurman

What better way to start than with the very first movie to earn the NC-17 rating – according to SlashFilm – Henry & June. Director Philip Kaufman’s adaptation of Anaïs Nin’s memoir focuses on a love triangle between novelist Henry Miller (Fred Ward), his wife, June (Uma Thurman), and the French-American author (portrayed by Thurman’s future fellow Pulp Fiction cast member, Maria de Medeiros) in 1930s Paris. Despite its controversially explicit sexual content, the drama was a mild critical and commercial success and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography.

Buy Henry & June on Blu-ray on Amazon.  

Killer Joe (2012) - Matthew McConaughey, Emile Hirsch, Juno Temple

Directed by the late William Friedkin and written by 2019’s Little Women cast member Tracy Letts (also based on his stage play), Killer Joe stars Emile Hirsch as an indebted young man who hatches a plan to have his mother (played by Gina Gershon) killed to collect insurance money. Matthew McConaughey gives one of his most underrated performances as the titular hitman he hires, whose fee is so high that he agrees to let his teenage sister (Juno Temple) be treated as collateral.

According to Deadline, the shamelessly twisted crime thriller was released with an NC-17 rating after Friedkin and distributor LD Entertainment opted not to change its ending. While an R-rated version of the film was later made available for home viewing, those interested in seeing it in its original form could also seek out the unrated director’s cut of Killer Joe instead.

Rent or buy Killer Joe on Amazon.
Buy Killer Joe on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Mysterious Skin (2004) - Joseph Gordon-Levitt

One of Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s best movies from earlier in his career is Mysterious Skin, in which he plays a gay teen making a living as a sex worker who recalls a disturbing encounter from his childhood through narration. Meanwhile, another teen, played by Brady Corbet, struggles to figure out the truth behind a blackout he suffered when he was younger, leading the two men to cross paths unexpectedly.

Writer and director Gregg Araki is notorious for including pervasive sexual content in his films, but the NC-17 rating for Mysterious Skin – also starring Elisabeth Shue and Buffy the Vampire Slayer cast member Michelle Trachtenberg – was largely determined by its graphic depiction of pedophilia. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the challenging subject matter sparked controversy when the Australian Family Association feared child predators could use the film as a grooming tool or for their own gratification.
 
Rent or buy Mysterious Skin on Amazon.
Buy Mysterious Skin on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (1989) - Antonio Banderas

In one of his many racy collaborations with writer and director Pedro Almodóvar, Antonio Banderas stars in Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! as Ricky, who is released from a mental hospital with the intent of finding love. So, he tracks down a former adult film star, played by Victoria Abril, whom he once shared an intimate encounter with and takes her prisoner in hopes he can convince her to be his wife.

According to Gwyne Edwards’ 2001 book Almodóvar: Labyrinths of Passion, the controversial subject matter of Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! was instrumental in the creation of the NC-17 rating itself. Thus, the MPA branded it as such in 1990 for a “scene of strong adult sensuality with nudity,” according to FilmRatings.com.

Stream Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! on Max.
Rent or buy Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! on Amazon.
Buy Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! on Blu-ray Amazon.

Blonde (2022) - Ana de Armas

Based on the book by Joyce Carol Oates, Blonde is director Andrew Dominik’s in-depth and fictionalized look at the tragically short life of Norma Jeane Baker, better known as Marilyn Monroe. Ana de Armas disappears into the role of one of Hollywood’s most iconic figures, portraying a side of the actress and model that was long kept hidden from the public.

Dominik once said that he anticipated his nearly three-hour biopic would be rated NC-17 before the MPA made it official in June 2022, citing “some sexual content” as the reasoning. The film’s more hardcore scenes would inspire some strong reactions from both critics and audiences since it was made available to stream in 2022.

Stream Blonde on Netflix.

Crash (1996) - James Spader, Holly Hunter

Not to be confused with director Paul Haggis’ Best Picture Oscar winner from 2005, Crash is one of the more bizarre and inventive movies directed by David Cronenberg (which is really saying something). Based on the novel by J.G. Ballard, it stars James Spader as a TV producer who becomes seduced into an unusual and dangerous obsession with car wrecks and the intense, sexually stimulating effect they seem to have on him and others, including his mistress (played by Holly Hunter).

Just from learning the plot, it seems pretty clear why a movie like Crash would have been given the NC-17 rating and why it inspired controversy so pervasive that it was chronicled in a 2001 book called The Crash Controversy: Censorship Campaigns and Film Reception. Nonetheless, it was still relatively well-received by critics, according to Rotten Tomatoes, and earned Cronenberg a Special Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, despite vehement opposition from the jury’s then-president, Francis Ford Coppola.

Buy Crash on DVD on Amazon.

Descent (2007) - Rosario Dawson

Not to be confused with the Scottish 2005 horror movie THE Descent, this film sees Rosario Dawson giving her most provocative and extreme performance since she broke out in another controversial classic, Kids. This time, she plays a woman who undergoes a dramatic and violent change of character after she is assaulted by a man she meets at a fraternity party.

This brutal and upsetting revenge drama was actually released with two alternative cuts: one rated NC-17 and an R-rated edit that omits seven minutes of footage. Still, both versions contain brutal rape, language, some sexual content and drug use.

Buy Descent on DVD on Amazon.

Showgirls (1995) - Elizabeth Berkley, Kyle MacLachlan

Perhaps the most infamous movie on this list, Paul Verhoeven’s 1995 erotic cult classic, Showgirls, stars a post-Save by the Bell Elizabeth Berkley as a young drifter named Nomi Malone. As she hitchhikes to Las Vegas with dreams of becoming a famous dancer on the Strip, she has some ups and downs on her journey, but finally makes her dreams come true, at a price…

According to the MPA, Showgirls was given its NC-17 rating due to the amount of nudity and erotic sexuality throughout the movie, as well as graphic language and sexual violence. If you’ve seen the movie (and not the VH1 version with digitized bras), you’re well aware of the film’s graphic nature.

Stream Showgirls on Tubi.
Stream Showgirls on Pluto TV.
Buy Showgirls on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Shame (2011) - Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan

Released in 2011, Steve McQueen’s psychological drama, Shame, stars Michael Fassbender as Brandon Sullivan – a successful and dashing executive who is secretly a traumatized sex addict who will do anything and everything to get his kicks in New York City. Just when he thinks life can’t get any worse, his equally damaged sister (Carey Mulligan) storms into his life, causing more complications.

Upon release, Shame was given an NC-17 rating by the MPA for explicit sexual content as well as some truly troubling scenes. I’ve walked out of several movies before, but this was the first I exited simply because what was happening on the screen was way too real and unnerving to finish.

Rent or buy Shame on Amazon.
Buy Shame on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Blue Is The Warmest Color (2013) - Léa Seydoux 

Abdellatif Kechiche’s 2013 French drama, Blue is the Warmest Color, stars Adèle Exarchopoulos as a high school student who experiences a sexual awakening after meeting an art school student and aspiring painter named Emma, played by James Bond movies actor, Léa Seydoux. Over the years, the two form a contentious and highly-emotional relationship that opens their eyes to a whole new world around them.

Though tamer than some of the other titles on this list, Blue is the Warmest Color was given an NC-17 rating because of the explicit sexual content the MPA felt was unsuitable for younger audiences. However, at least one theater allowed teens to watch the movie upon release.

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Buy Blue is the Warmest Color on Blu-ray Amazon.

Bad Lieutenant (1992) - Harvey Keitel

Abel Ferrara’s 1992 crime thriller Bad Lieutenant follows Harvey Keitel as a broken NYPD detective whose stress over his job, life, and gambling habits get the best of him. From one interaction to the next, the unnamed lieutenant falls deeper down the rabbit hole of depravity, committing some irredeemable crimes of his own along the way.

If there has ever been a movie deserving of an NC-17 rating it would have to be Bad Lieutenant. With an abundance of sexual violence, intense sexual situations, endless drug use, and extreme language throughout, it’s no wonder the MPA came down hard on the movie, which later inspired a sequel only in name, Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, starring Nicolas Cage and directed by Werner Herzog.

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Buy Bad Lieutenant on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Orgazmo (1997) - Trey Parker, Matt Stone

Co-writer and director Trey Parker plays a normal Mormon missionary trying to find enough money to support and marry his longtime girlfriend. But when he stumbles upon a porn set, the once strait-laced and deeply devoted young man becomes the biggest thing going in the adult entertainment industry in Orgazmo.

It should come as no surprise that a movie written by the creators of South Park, and one centered on the porn industry, would receive an NC-17 rating from the MPA in 1998. It should come as even less of a surprise that the rating was handed down due to the sexual content and dialogue featured throughout.

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Buy Orgazmo on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Bent (1997) - Clive Owen, Ian McKellen

After being discovered and arrested by the Gestapo in Nazi Germany, Max – a proud gay man played by Clive Owen – is sent on a perilous journey to the Dachau concentration camp where he is subjected to indescribable horrors while still being able to find love.

Possibly one of the most harrowing movies about the Holocaust, Sean Mathias’ 1997 drama Bent is absolutely heartbreaking and disturbing with its graphic displays of violence. Upon its release, the movie received an NC-17 rating from the MPA due to its graphic sexual nature.

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Buy Bent on Blu-ray Amazon.

Matador (1986) - Antonio Banderas

In one of his most disturbing roles, Antonio Banderas plays Angel, a young student who confesses to an attempted rape and a series of murders he may or may not have committed, in Pedro Almodóvar’s 1986 dark comedy, Matador.

Just like some of the other movies featuring the director and actor, Matador pushed the limits with its dark, twisted, and oddly humorous story. Still, the MPA would later give the film an NC-17 rating in 2005 (nearly 20 years after initial release) due to “aberrant sexuality” and violence.

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Buy Matador on DVD on Amazon.

The Dreamers (2003) - Eva Green, Michael Pitt

In the midst of the 1968 Student Riots in Paris, an American student named Matthew (played by Michael Pitt) finds himself getting caught up in the lives of formerly conjoined twins – Louis Garrel as Théo and Eva Green as Isabelle – whose relationship is far from normal. When asked to spend a month with the siblings, Matthew falls deeper into their wild and free-flowing lifestyle.

Bernardo Bertolucci’s 2003 erotic drama, The Dreamers, pushes several boundaries and deviates from societal norms to tell a story about young love in the midst of a chaotic time. With the extreme sexual content and nudity, it’s no surprise the MPA gave the movie an NC-17 rating upon release.

Buy The Dreamers on DVD on Amazon.

A Dirty Shame (2004) - Selma Blair, Johnny Knoxville

A John Waters movie receiving an NC-17 rating? You don’t say! The filthy filmmaker’s 2004 comedy, A Dirty Shame, follows Tracey Ullman as Sylvia Stickles– a puritanical resident of the Hatford Road area of Baltimore who experiences a sexual awakening after being hit by a car. 

Selma Blair, Johnny Knoxville, and Chris Isaak also star in A Dirty Shame, which (no shocker here) was given the NC-17 rating by the MPA due to its pervasive sexual content. And if you’ve seen the movie, you are all too aware of just how pervasive and graphic it is.

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Buy A Dirty Shame on DVD on Amazon.

Pink Flamingos (1972) - Divine

When Connie (Mink Stole) and Raymond Marble (David Lochary) attempt to steal Babs Johnson’s (Divine) title of “the filthiest person alive,” the down and dirty criminal and her family make it their mission in life to prevent the newcomers from accomplishing their mission by any means necessary.

With scenes featuring incest, people eating dog poop, flashers, and an infamously notorious scene involving a chicken, it shouldn’t shock anyone that John Waters’ classic exploitation comedy film, Pink Flamingos, was given an NC-17 rating by the MPA upon re-release in 1997, 25 years after it first shocked audiences around the world. Maybe that’s why Roger Ebert hated the movie.

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The Evil Dead (1981) - Bruce Campbell

Bruce Campbell stars in the film that kickstarted the Evil Dead franchise as Ash Williams who – along with his girlfriend and a small group of friends – set off for a night away in an isolated cabin. However, the night quickly takes a turn for the worst after they discover the Necronomicon – a powerful book that awakens possessive, malevolent spirits.

Sam Raimi’s classic horror film, The Evil Dead, was initially released with an X rating back in 1981 on account of its substantial graphic violence and gore. It was later given an NC-17 by the MPA when the movie was re-released back in 1994.

Rent or buy The Evil Dead on Amazon.
Buy The Evil Dead on Blu-ray on Amazon.

BONUS: Elles (2011) - Juliette Binoche

The title of Elles refers to the French magazine, Elle, for which Juliette Binoche’s character is researching an article about an underground sex worker ring orchestrated by female college students in Paris. However, the closer she gets to the facts behind the story, the more she begins to question her own personal interests. Graphic sexual content that goes as far as urinary fetishes initially earned this drama from Polish filmmaker Malgoska Szumowska an NC-17 rating.

Buy Elles on Blu-ray on Amazon.

BONUS: Happiness (1998) - Philip Seymour Hoffman 

The late Philip Seymour Hoffman plays one of several interconnected people all searching desperately for the most coveted emotion there is: happiness. Of course, their chosen ways of acquiring it are exactly the kind of reasons this Golden Globe nominee was initially given an NC-17 rating. 

Also starring the likes of Trick ‘r Treat’s Dylan Baker, Twin Peaks cast member Lara Flynn Boyle, and SNL’s Jon Lovitz, Happiness is one of the darkest comedies of its time. However, that does not mean so much when you learn it comes from writer and director Todd Solondz.

Buy Happiness on DVD on Amazon.

Elles and Happiness are some of a few notable examples of films that surrendered their NC-17 ratings upon release and are now deemed “unrated,” such as the aforementioned Kids. However, they are just as challenging and provocative as any of the films listed above, which is why we’ll still count them as NC-17 in our book.

The search for Daniel Craig’s James Bond replacement has been hot with multiple candidates reportedly in the running, including Regé-Jean Page and Henry Cavill. Finding a successor has been tough for Bond producers as they look to reinvent the international spy. But beyond finding the next Bond, there’s been a question over who may or may not return after No Time to Die. With speculation running rampant, Lashana Lynch, Ralph Fiennes, and more No Time to Die stars spoke about possibly returning to the James Bond franchise.

Lashana Lynch (Nomi)

As one of No Time to Die’s breakout stars, the Woman King star stole multiple scenes as Nomi. Taking up 007 was a huge deal for Lynch following in the steps of earlier Black female representation. Being a fan favorite made many viewers want more potential Nomi stories in the future. With the franchise in flux right now, Lashana Lynch mentioned to Empire she was unsure of her Bond future, but the actress did spill an interesting tidbit about her current status with Eon Productions.

So there might be more Nomi after all. This development means Bond producers want Lynch to keep the 007 mantle going after Craig’s departure. It made sense given the spy franchise is going through a 21st-century transition. Maybe the future of the franchise is female despite the ongoing search for a new Bond.

Keeping Lynch under contract would allow the fans to watch more takedowns and see Nomi come into her own. The character displayed endless potential to carry the beloved franchise in a different direction if she were to fight alongside the new international spy. Fans can breathe as the Doctor Strange 2 star is locked in… for now. But are her No Time to Die co-stars on board for another film when the time comes?

Ralph Fiennes (M)

Ralph Fiennes served as the perfect successor to Dame Judi Lynch when he took over in Skyfall. He managed to carry over the authoritarian angle while fighting to keep Craig’s Bond on track. Fiennes inhabited the MI6 chief well. A few fans have questioned whether the Oscar nominee would return after Craig’s swan song. Despite the looming doubt, the Schindler’s List actor made his case for staying on as the head of MI6.

So the 59-year-old actor is ready for another Bond outing once the producers settle on a new spy. Having him remain with the franchise would be a major positive to help fans transition into the reinvention.

Naomie Harris (Eve Moneypenny)

Naomie Harris reintroduced Eve Moneypenny as a field agent-to-M’s right hand in 2012’s Skyfall. She added a new depth to the witty secretary upon her appearance. After months after No Time to Die’s release, Harris ung on to hope that she will return after planting seeds of doubt about her future with the franchise.

As Harris mentioned, a new Bond could bring in a new MI6 family. She’s still game to play Moneypenny again if producers decided to keep the remaining cast. Like Fiennes, it would be nice to see her remain with the spy film series as a way to bridge the gap between the Daniel Craig era and the new Bond.

Ben Whitshaw (Q)

Resembling Harris’ introduction, Ben Whishaw reinvented the tech-savvy research developer for a new generation upon his debut in 2012’s Skyfall. Whishaw gave Q a new dimension, and despite the character’s development in No Time to Die, the Golden Globe winner opened up to the BBC about his uncertainty over his return.

Of course, recruiting a new James Bond usually brings in a new cast for a new era. Bond producers being secretive doesn’t quell Whishaw’s doubt over his return as Q. Hopefully, he’ll be brought back for another film so fans can, at least, see how his story plays out.

Léa Seydoux (Dr. Madeleine Swann)

Léa Seydoux’s Dr. Madeleine Swann made an impression over two movies as James Bond’s most recent love interest from the Craig era. Despite the twist in No Time to Die, she appeared to complete her arc by having Bond’s daughter. Given that she didn’t die in the end, her future with the spy film series is unknown. When speaking about her possible return, Seydoux said:

Having Bond’s only child put her in a special place in the Bond girl pantheon. Driving into the sunset with her and Bond’s daughter might be a proper conclusion to Dr. Swann’s story. But the The French Dispatch star felt there was a door open for her return.

Having an open-ended conclusion did leave room for Seydoux to pop up again. It might not be in the new Bond film, but having Bond’s daughter could lead to a story down the line.

With so many questions in the air, only time will tell if these actors return to play these beloved characters. You can watch No Time to Die to catch the actors playing these roles by getting an Amazon Prime Video subscription.

At the current moment, the James Bond movies are still in that sort of free falling uncertainty that happens every time 007 changes actors. The Daniel Craig era of Bond is over, with only the announcement of his successor remaining to officially close things out. As such, it’s a good time to ask if that means the same for all of the faces No Time To Die brought back to support Craig’s 007. And one of the actors in Craig’s big swan song thinks there could be more to the story for their character.

During a recent chat at the Telluride Film Festival, star Léa Seydoux was on hand, and was asked whether her Dr. Madeleine Swann could return for Bond 26. Deadline was the publication in question that posed this rather interesting scenario, and Seydoux responded with some very interesting statements. Among them was the following: 

No Time To Die’s ending didn’t need to kill off all of 007’s fondest friends and family, even though we did see the loss of Jeffrey Wright’s Felix Leither midway through. Despite so many rumors flying around what sort of secret her character was holding, Madeleine’s big twist happened to be that she had James Bond’s daughter. Seeing how that plotline turned out in the conclusion of the 25th 007 adventure, Léa Seydoux definitely isn’t saying never in her continued remarks: 

The James Bond franchise hasn’t had a problem bringing actors back in the past, whether they were playing their assigned characters or not. Where the new era of continuity goes in Bond 26 and beyond is where the question of whether Dr. Madeleine Swann and/or Mathilde return will ultimately be answered. Though there’s still some figures that don’t have to depend on such whims.

James Bond history has always allowed the MI6 support characters to return throughout the years, no matter who was playing Commander Bond. Most recently we saw Dame Judi Dench’s M leapfrog over the concern of rebooting Bond, as she was on hand in Casino Royale, despite a new timeline of events being started. That sort of loyalty isn’t lost on certain members of the Daniel Craig era, for sure. 

When CinemaBlend spoke with Naomie Harris for the home entertainment release of No Time To Die, the Moneypenny actor was keen to stay on board. Other interviews with folks like current M Ralph Fiennes have the same sort of tone, with Fiennes flat out pitching EON Productions that he’d love to continue acting out Gareth Mallory’s adventures in the future. Sadly, there is one cast member that seems to think their time in the series is over, as Ben Whishaw revealed to the BBC that he is convinced that his time as Q is at an end. 

As we get closer to Bond 26’s intended 2024 shooting schedule, the question of who the new James Bond will be is obviously the first one that’ll need to be answered. After that point, all of the other pieces will fit into place. How Dr. Madeleine Swann, M, Moneypenny, and Q pan out will be important steps along the way to Commander Bond’s return to theaters; and for now we’ll just have to wait and see what the future holds. 

SPOILERS are ahead for David Cronenberg’s Crimes of the Future. 

Since the 1970s, David Cronenberg has established himself as a distinct filmmaker with a tendency to shock and challenge his viewers with ideas of visceral bodily transformation and and distinct themes to ponder as the credits roll. That continues with the Crimes of the Future ending following an intriguing imagining of a time where humans have a different definition of the line between pain and pleasure. It’s time to break down how the movie concludes and what it's perhaps trying to say. 

Crimes of the Future takes place on an unspecified date in the future where pollution and climate change have seriously affected the human race. Due to this, there have been significant advances in biotechnology and human bodies are perhaps changing in a way where they no longer feel physical pain the way they used to (and we do now). As members of the Crimes of the Future cast, we follow two performance artists, Viggo Mortensen’s Saul Tenser and Léa Seydoux’s Caprice, the latter who regularly performs advanced surgeries on her partner for the entertainment and awe of audiences. Now, to break down the ending: 

What Happens At The End Of Crimes Of The Future

Throughout Crimes of the Future, Saul is trying to make best use of his body for his art. As we learn, Mortensen’s character has the unique ability to grow new organs, which he is using to his advantage in his shows, because Caprice can remove them for performances in front of a live audience. Amidst this, Saul and Caprice are logging the new organs he creates to the “National Organ Registry,” which is a fairly new governmental office designed to uphold the state’s restrictions on human evolution. 

As Crimes of the Future hits its third act, the focus moves toward another body rather than Saul Tenser. The focus becomes on the corpse of Brecken, a young boy who was killed by his mother in the beginning of the movie. After his father, Lang (Scott Speedman), retrieves his son’s corpse, he offers the body up to Saul and Caprice to have an autopsy performed on him for their show. The autopsy would not only shake up the pair’s act but show the public something new in the direction of human evolution with Brecken’s insides. Lang tells them that Brecken genetically inherited the ability to eat plastics following a synthetic surgery Lang received. 

Saul and Caprice agree to the public autopsy, but it does not prove to be the “miracle” Lang sells it as, but we do see a ton of organs flooding his body. Lang is then brutally killed and the final scene is between Saul and Caprice in their home. There, Saul decides to try a plastic chocolate bar that Lang had created and used to kill someone earlier in the film. As Caprice films him eating it, he ingests it and is able to successfully consume the plastic. 

What Was Going On With Saul Tenser? 

Saul Tenser was working undercover with Detective Cope throughout Crimes of the Future, frequently meeting with him throughout the film, dispelling information based on his own dealings within the performance art scene he is part of. But, due to his actions throughout the movie, it’s clear that Saul didn’t take a particular side on the debate over human evolution except for when it served his own job as a performance artist. 

As far as what was going on with Saul’s body, it is explained in the film that he has Accelerated Evolution Syndrome, which allows him to grow these organs for his shows, but also somehow makes it more difficult for him to process regular foods. Saul is seen eating his meals in a specific chair that looks to help him cope with the condition by moving his body around while he eats. 

What The Abrupt Ending Means And Symbolizes 

Crimes of the Future begins with Breckin, and the child becomes a major part of the story David Cronenberg aims to tell. As we see early in the film, Breckin pretty much eats anything and is able to digest it. His mother, disturbed by his eating habits, kills him in his sleep and then calls his father to pick up his body. Knowing the information we do from the previous sections, it seems he had a similar condition to Saul. Seeing as Breckin was able to eat plastics and other odd items as food and be OK, Saul in the final scene decides to eat a plastic chocolate bar. 

As the conclusion shows, he is fine afterwards, showing that perhaps in this future humankind is being so affected by pollution and climate change, they will not need human food to survive at some point. It could be a discovery that would change the society of Crimes of the Future as they know it. The bite of the plastic chocolate bar is an abrupt way to end the movie, but also is a way for audiences to think and imagine how our evolution could potentially take us further away from being human. 

Other Themes Crimes Of The Future Explores 

Aside from the ending of Crimes of the Future, the movie explores a number of ideas, including those Viggo Mortensen and Léa Seydoux spoke to CinemaBlend about in our interview. Seydoux, of the James Bond movies, told us, 

Cronenberg, who wrote the script over 20 years before shooting it, has also spoken to the movie being about artistry. He told Variety this: 

Seydoux shared honestly that she didn’t really know what to make of the film when she first read it, but really latched on to the characters when playing the role. Mortensen called the movie a “very tender love story,” about a committed relationship that includes sacrifice for one another. Perhaps, Crimes of the Future is this complex painting we’ll all take something else from? What we're certain of is there are a lot of different meanings one can take from it. 

Because Denis Villeneuve opted to only adapt the first half of Frank Herbert’s original Dune novel with his first Dune movie, that resulted in a handful of characters from the original source material being left out. Fortunately for the filmmaker and fans of his take on Dune, Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures greenlit a sequel to chronicle that latter half. Over the last few months, we’ve learned about some of the new faces who’ll be along for the Dune 2 ride, and the latest addition to that group is a star from some recent James Bond movies.

Léa Seydoux, who played Madeleine Swann, the love interest to Daniel Craig’s James Bond in Spectre and No Time to Die, is currently in negotiations to join Dune 2. According to Deadline, once the deal is finalized, Seydoux will play Margot, Lady Fenring, the wife of Count Hasimir Fenring and member of the Bene Gesserit, just like Lady Jessica, Paul Atreides’ mother. Without going into specific spoilers, Margot ends up being one of Paul’s allies, even after House Atreides is overthrown by the scheming Harkonnens.

This latest Dune 2 casting comes a few weeks after Léa Seydoux’s latest movie, David Cronenberg’s Crimes of the Future, opened to the public. It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, as did another one of Seydoux’s upcoming movies, One Fine Morning, which doesn’t have a release date set yet. Along with her important presence in Daniel Craig’s final two James Bond movies, Seydoux’s other recent credits include Zoe, The French Dispatch and The Story of My Wife. 

Léa Seydoux is the fourth newcomer to be added to the Dune 2 cast. Back in March, we learned that Black Widow’s Florence Pugh was being eyed to play Princess Irulan and Elvis’ Austin Butler was being lined up to play Feud-Rautha. Both those castings have since been confirmed, and  here’s an extra tidbit of information concerning Margot’s role in Dune: she shares scenes with Feyd-Rautha, Baron Vladimir Hakonnen’s cunning nephew. Then in May, Christopher Walken was cast in Dune 2 as Emperor Shaddam IV, whose closest friend is Count Hasimir Fenring. So while Margot is married to the Count, their allegiances couldn’t be more different.

Among the actors reprising their roles from Denis Villenueve’s first Dune movie are Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, Stellan Skarsgård and Dave Bautista. In addition to sitting back in the director’s chair, Denis Villeneue co-wrote the Dune 2 script with Jon Spaihts. Production is expected to begin to start this fall, and the sequel will arrive in theaters on October 20, 2023.

In addition to Dune 2 coming down the pipeline, an HBO Max series called Dune: The Sisterhood is in development, and Denis Villeneuve has also expressed interest in rounding out his run with Frank Herbert’s saga by adapting Dune Messiah. Keep checking back with CinemaBlend for all major updates on what’s happening with the Dune mythology in live-action.

Since David Cronenberg’s latest movie Crimes of the Future has focused its marketing around images of sliced-up bodies and the tagline “surgery is the new sex,” there’s been an interesting discourse about what The Fly filmmaker could possibly have in store for audiences with his return to sci-fi horror. Then, when it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, there were reports of viewers walking out of the debut screening during its grotesque sequences. Léa Seydoux and Viggo Mortensen, two of the movie's stars, have ideas about the movie’s themes, and their answer opposes the popular belief about it. 

When CinemaBlend virtually sat down with Seydoux and Mortensen, we spoke about the themes of the film from their own point of view. First, in the No Time To Die actress’ words: 

Both Seydoux and Mortensen seem to agree on the core element of the movie, and to them, it’s nearly a love story. Check out the Lord of the Ring actor’s thoughts: 

You can check out the Crimes of the Future actors’ full responses in the video above. Cronenberg’s latest movie centers on their characters, Mortensen’s Saul Tenser and Seydoux’s Caprice, who are performance artists in an imagined future. In this future, humans have evolved past simple pleasures and turn to pain to turn them on and entertain themselves. Weird? Yes, but as the actors shared, there’s a deeper storyline between its main characters they enjoyed exploring. 

While much of the conversation around Crimes of the Future is in its blood and gore, which is often associated with David Cronenberg’s best work, the movie itself has an emotional story involving these performance artists who have a unique partnership and care about one another in an intriguing way. As someone who has seen the movie (check out CinemaBlend’s review of Crimes of the Future), I can see how the actors have gravitated toward this element of the film, because it was truly the most human and oddly most interesting element of the movie. 

Crimes of the Future feels like a thought experiment of where we could go as a society in hundreds of years as we continue to become numbed by the entertainment that used to blow our minds. And amidst the ideas being explored, the audience is grounded by the affection two people can have for each other, even if their careers and way of having sex are super uncomfortable and alien to modern times. 

You can also check out CinemaBlend’s interview with David Cronenberg about working with Kristen Stewart and stay tuned for more exclusive coverage on upcoming 2022 movies.  

David Cronenberg’s return to horror, Crimes of the Future, has been getting a lot of buzz ever since members of the audience walked out during its premiere at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, and now moviegoers around the world finally have a chance to see what all the fuss is about. If you were curious or brave enough to check out what has been described as a “slow burn” with “effective body horror,” and have seen the movie already, you may be wondering why some of those faces look so familiar.

Sure, Viggo Mortensen, Léa Seydoux, and Kristen Stewart are all instantly recognizable, but there are other members of the Crime of the Future cast that might be unknown to most who have watched, or at least heard about the movie. That being said, let’s break down each member of the main cast and where you’ve seen them before, in some shape or form.

Viggo Mortensen (Saul Tenser)

At the center of Crimes of the Future’s twisted, futuristic narrative is Viggo Mortensen’s Saul Tenser, a man who has the ability to will new organs to grow into his body that are then later removed as part of some art performance. 

This isn’t the first time Mortensen has worked with David Cronenberg, as the former Lord of the Rings star had top billing in 2005’s A History of Violence and two years later in Eastern Promises, though neither of those would be considered horror movies. The list of Mortensen’s great movies include Green Book, Captain Fantastic, Hidalgo, G.I. Jane, Daylight, Crimson Tide, and even Witness. But, to some, he will always be Aragorn.

Léa Seydoux (Caprice)

Next up is Léa Seydoux, who shows up in Crimes of the Future as Caprice, Saul’s ambitious assistant who channels her former career as a trauma surgeon to perform bizarre performances that involve removing organs in front of a live audience.

Seydoux has some experience with portrayals of characters at the center of expressive art performances, considering she played Simone, the prison guard and muse of an incarcerated artist in 2021’s The French Dispatch. However, Seydoux is mostly remembered for her appearances in the two most recent James Bond movies — Spectre and No Time to Die — where she played 007’s love interest. Over the years, Seydoux has also popped up in movies like The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Lobster, Inglourious Basterds, Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol, and the 2013 NC-17 romantic drama, Blue is the Warmest Color

Kristen Stewart (Timlin)

Kristen Stewart steps into the picture in Crimes of the Future as Timlin, an officer from the Organ Registry who keeps a detailed log of Saul’s organs and the performances in which they are removed.

To some, Kristen Stewart is and always will be remembered for her portrayal of Bella Swan in the Twilight franchise, which you could argue was her breakout role. But in addition to playing the protagonist in one of the most divisive film properties of the past 20 years, Stewart has been in a ton of other great movies. Over the years, she’s appeared in Panic Room, Adventureland, Still Alice, Happiest Season, and most recently, Spencer, which earned her an Oscar nomination for her take on the ill-fated Princess Diana. 

Don McKellar (Wippet)

Don McKellar shows up in Crimes of the Future as Wippet, Timlin’s superior investigator with the Organ Registry who keeps track of Saul and Caprice’s various provocative performances.

McKellar previously worked with David Cronenberg on the 1999 science-fiction horror movie, eXistenZ, just one of the many title on the actor’s extensive filmography. He has also appeared in movies like The Red Violin, Last Night, The Grand Seduction, Most Wanted, and most recently The Middle Man. McKellar also has TV work to his name, with the most notable contribution being the animated series, Odd Job Jack.

Scott Speedman (Lang Dotrice)

Then there is Scott Speedman, who makes an appearance in Crimes of the Future as Lang Dotrice, a severely haunted man who handles the death of his son in a very peculiar way.

Speedman is mostly remembered for his various TV roles, which include Ben Covington on Felicity, Barry “Baz” Blackwell in Animal Kingdom (which is one of the shows ending in 2022), and Dr. Nick Marsh on Grey’s Anatomy. Over the years, Speedman has also popped up in movies like Underworld and its sequel Underworld: Evolution, XXX: State of the Union, The Strangers, The Vow, Run This Town, and most recently, Best Sellers.

Welket Bungué (Detective Cope)

Taking on the role of the one of the few skeptics of the organ performance art in Crimes of the Future is Welket Bungué who portrays Detective Cope in David Cronenberg’s return to body horror.

Throughout his career, Bungué has appeared in various film, TV, and stage productions, including the likes of Berlin Alexanderplatz, País Irmão, Joaquim, Boida Por Ti, and dozens of others in Portugal. Bungué has just as many, if not more, appearances in short films that date back to 2009, around the time he made his acting debut.

Tanaya Beatty (Berst)

But, the surgical shows are just one side of the organ art in Crimes of the Future’s dark, twisted, and anything goes futuristic world, as there are people behind the scenes making it all possible, like Tanaya Beatty’s Berst.

Fans of the the incredibly popular neo-western series, Yellowstone, will immediately recognize Beatty from her portrayal of Avery, the former stripper who was invited to work on the Dutton Ranch by Rip Wheeler. That isn’t her only big TV role, though, as Beatty has shown up on Arctic Air, Continuum, The 100, and The Night Shift all the in the past decade. Beatty also has a number of film appearances, as well, including The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1, Hostiles, Through Black Spruce, and Murder at Emigrant Gulch, to name only a few.

Nadia Litz (Router)

Nadia Litz plays Router, one of the technicians involved in the orchestration of the incredibly graphic performance art at the center of Crimes of the Future. 

Throughout her career, which goes back to the 1996 made-for-TV movie, Hidden in America, Litz has appeared in a number of film productions, including The Mighty, Love That Boy, Some Things That Stay, Blindness, You Are Here, and Big Muddy. Her TV work includes shows like King, Due South, Wind at My Back, and other productions.

Lihi Kornowski (Djuna)

Lihi Kornowski shows up in Crimes of the Future as Djuna, the ex-wife of Lang Dotrice who is sitting in prison after being convicted of murdering their young son. 

Much of Kornowski’s work throughout her career, which goes back to 2012, has been spent on the small screen with TV shows like Summer Break Diaries, The Hood, The Commune, Losing Alice, Who Died, Ballistic, and Malkot. However, she does have a few film credits to her name outside of her role in the new David Cronenberg horror movie. These include Sublet, Born in Jerusalem and Still Alive, and The Burglar, as well as a handful of short films along the way.

Yorgos Pirpassopoulos (Dr Nasatir) 

Taking on the role of Dr. Nasatir in Crimes of the Future is Yorgos Pirpassopoulos, who portrays a man who is set on getting Saul to participate in what is known as an “Inner Beauty Pageant.”

Over the course of his career, which dates back to TV appearances as early as 1990, Pirpassopoulos has popped up on dozens of productions (big screen and small screen alike) including Chevalier, End of an Era, Thymata Eirinis, Beckett, Eden, and Monday, the 2020 streamy romantic drama starring Sebastian Stan and Denise Gough. Pirpassopoulos has also provided his voice for a number of video games over the years with perhaps the biggest being Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey. He has also appeared in a large number of short films and TV shorts during that same stretch of time.

Denise Capezza (Odile)

And then there is Denise Capezza, who portrays Odile in David Cronenberg’s Crimes of the Future, her latest in a series of interesting film and TV projects.

Since making her debut in the Italian TV series, Don Matteo, in 2011, Capezza has landed roles on shows like Gomorrah (which was based on the great Italian film of the same name), Baby, Bang Bang Baby, and several others. And, although most of her work can be found on the small screen, Crimes of the Future isn’t Capezza’s first time showing on the silver screen. Over the years, the actress has been spotted in Another World, Cobra Non È, San Valentino Stories, Darbe, and Hep Yek, as well as a number of short films like Killer in Red and Koala, to name just a couple.

As great as this collection of actors may appear, it is just barely scratching the surface of the Crimes of the Future cast, as David Cronenberg’s latest body horror movie features even more talented actors before the screen fades to black and the credits begin to roll. It should also be noted that the Crimes of the Future is just one of the many great horror movies coming to theaters in 2022.

The Gambit solo film has become somewhat of a legend at this point, as a number of die-hard fans surely know that Channing Tatum was set to star as the Cajun card thrower. Eventually, after spending years in development hell at 21st Century Fox, Disney canceled shelved the X-Men spinoff after buying the film studio. At the time, No Time to Die’s Léa Seydoux was attached to star as Bella Donna Boudreaux, the titular hero's childhood love, in the superhero film. The actress hadn't spoken publicly on her involvement but has now broken her silence.

The former Bond love interest was cast in Gambit in 2015, around the time that Channing Tatum was cast. Before she landed the role, the character was reportedly set to be played by Mean Girls alum Lizzy Caplan. Léa Seydoux opened up to IndieWire about the canceled solo spinoff while promoting the horror thriller Crimes of the Future. And during the chat, she explained what exactly drew her to the production in the first place:

Her assessment of the script falls in line with that of producer Simon Kinberg, who once labeled the superhero film a romantic comedy. Of course, the suave X-Man does have the personality to pull off the charming romantic lead (and has the kinetic energy to boot). It seems the award-winning actress was impressed with the unused screenplay. In the same interview, she went on to recall how American films how the American films she was offered were more imaginative compared to others:

The phrase “very exotic” is a huge compliment from someone with Léa Seydoux’s taste in projects. I'd say that the rom-com angle would’ve given faithful Marvel fans a fresh take on the self-charging mutant. The No Time to Die actress’ compliment is yet another anecdote that makes one wonder what could've been. Previously, Dog director Reid Carolin even compared the couple’s relationship to one seen in a classic mob flick.

During the project's time at Fox, there were multiple directors attached to the it, including Rupert Wyatt, Doug Liman, and Gore Verbinski. At one point, Channing Tatum was rumored to be directing the film alongside producing partner Reid Carolin. After years of false starts, the actor left the project over creative differences and, when reflecting on losing the solo spinoff, he called the experience “traumatizing." He even stated that 21st Century Fox was against him and Carolin directing it.

But with Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios set to bring the X-Men into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Channing Tatum and LéaSeydoux could still play the star-crossed lovers someday. But right now, Tatum is currently working on Magic Mike: The Last Dance. and likely has other projects on his plate. Meanwhile, Seydoux has several upcoming movies, including One Fine Morning. There's also a plethora of upcoming Marvel movies that should more than fill the void left by Gambit.

When we look at the history of the human race, one pattern that continues to progress is our eagerness to push the envelope and lean into things that generations before us would snicker at and be bewildered by. In David Cronenberg’s latest film, Crimes of the Future, that modernization is a redefinition of how we view our bodies as a vessel for pleasure. The dubbed “King of Venereal Horror” imagines that far into the future we may become bored with our current notions around sex, and the regular twisting and turning into our skin and organs is the kind of intimacy we may crave. Surgery is the new porn and eroticism of society. The thought is enough to make you squirm, isn't it? 

Following David Cronenberg’s more recent, contemporary works from the ‘90s to 2014’s Map To The Stars, the filmmaker has finally returned with Crimes of the Future to his sci-fi/horror roots, for which he is still most beloved. The power of the concept itself is enough to induce horror considering our own obscene tendencies as humans, because hey, in a few hundred years, we might go there.

The title was previously used for one of his first features in 1970, but this is not a remake. It is however, the realization of a project Cronenberg has had in the works for nearly twenty years – and it shows. Crimes of the Future is incredibly rich in its ideas and world building – it feels like the stellar adaptation of a dusty ‘80s sci-fi novel you might find adjacent to Dune on a bookshelf. But, to its credit, the stickler for Crimes of the Future is presenting this expansive idea in a way where one craves for it to go even further down its hole of visceral imagery. But, within its incredibly crafted and terrifying visions, audiences never are quite sent to the deep end of its thematic horrors.

Crimes Of The Future balances its slow burn science fiction vision with effective body horror, but sometimes it gets silly. 

Crimes of the Future follows two performance artists – Viggo Mortensen’s Saul Tenser and Léa Seydoux’s Caprice – who have become well-known within the movie’s somewhat ambiguous setting and far future. Caprice, who was a trauma surgeon prior to her current profession, performs surgeries on Saul while audiences ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ at their shows. Saul has the unique ability to will new organs to grow into his body, which Caprice regularly removes during their shows. 

They are logged into an Organ Registry – which is where Kristen Stewart’s Timlin and Don McKellar’s Wippet come in. They are logging these organs for them, which in this society adds a certain sexual appeal and scientific intrigue to Saul’s profile as an artist. 

Saul and Caprice’s act is one of many, all of whom serve as the new primary form of entertainment in between couples in dark alleys cutting up each other for sexual pleasure in a world numb to “the old sex.” The lengths this science fiction concept goes to imagine how people live their daily lives in this dark, twisted fantasy. That being said, there are also a few moments that come off as laughable in the wrong places. It can be tough to follow the tone when jokes are being cracked amidst some otherwise disturbing material. It’s welcome in a sense because you don’t want Crimes of the Future to be cold as ice, but tones don't always blend with ease. 

Amidst this, Saul finds a new show for himself and Caprice that will really push the boundaries of their performance art relating to a child. In this thread, Crimes of the Future feels like Cronenberg’s version of a science fiction, slow-burn noir. The movie is careful with how it builds tension. Its frequent body horror moments don't emerge into a the big scares one might imagine from it, but instead it's an interesting (sometimes boring) set mystery specifically within Saul and Caprice's world. 

Léa Seydoux and Kristen Stewart particularly astonish with offbeat but enrapturing performances. 

As Léa Seydoux has become a highlight within the Bond franchise and other recent roles, the actor brings her comforting presence to Crimes of the Future as the movie’s most exciting character. Seydoux's Caprice is calm, cool and completely passionate in her work. She elevates Mortensen’s character, who is a more reserved and indifferent character, with a unique weight to bear in his performance. 

In contrast to Seydoux, comes another particularly terrific performance from Kristen Stewart – a mousy investigator of the Organ Registry who also becomes very invested in Saul. Her delivery somehow fits in the world and is animated, bold and unlike anything we've ever seen from the Oscar nominee. Both Seydoux and Stewart also sell a sex appeal that's key to Crimes of the Future in its own weird, very particular, classy, not insanely perverse way. 

Cronenberg has something profound to say about human nature’s evolution. 

As Crimes of the Future reaches its final moments before Howard Shore’s effective score ramps back up in the credits, it's clear David Cronenberg’s film is firmly centered on not only its concept, but what he wants to say about humankind through it. Among the stomaching of the blood, guts and weird eroticism of Crimes of the Future, the sci-fi drama is slow-building and steady with its hand. If only all the slicing and thought-provoking exercise had paid off in a third act as powerful as the subject and the rest of the tension Cronenberg builds. There's either an extra 20 minutes the movie could have benefitted from, or it needed to be a tighter film overall. 

Throughout the movie there are a number of lines that don’t dance around, but rather in plain words state the legendary filmmaker’s thesis for the film. The next stage of human evolution down the line could transform us into something genetically new. Crimes of the Future asks the question: if we grow numb to the human warning system of pain, are we human anymore? It succeeds in asking the question and provides a distinctive vision for how horrific humankind is and can be. 

It took less than a week for Dune: Part 2 to get the green light following the blockbuster theatrical release of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune, and it allowed the fanhood of the beloved sci-fi franchise to breathe a powerful sigh of relief. We no longer had to worry that the 2021 movie would never have a counterpart to complete the adaptation of author Frank Herbert’s seminal novel, and could focus all attention on simply getting hyped for the sequel. Thankfully, the production has made this extra easy with some tremendously exciting casting announcements in recent months.

Obviously there are a lot of stars from the first Dune who will be reprising their roles in Dune: Part 2, but there are also a number of new big names who have signed on – and we’ve built this feature in the aim of highlighting all of them. It feels logical to start with the former group, so let’s start by talking about the actor who will be back to play the central protagonist in the sequel…

Timothée Chalamet

The journey of Paul Atreides has only just begun. In Denis Villeneuve’s Dune we see the prince-adjacent character see his life essentially go up in flames – his family and clan moving to a new planet before being all but wholly annihilated – and Dune: Part 2 will see him attempt to stop the evil forces of House Harkonnen and Emperor Shaddam IV. Timothée Chalamet is back to star in the sequel, having completed work on Paul King’s upcoming Wonka while waiting for production on the sci-fi epic to start filming.

Rebecca Ferguson

Paul Atreides isn’t totally alone after the fall of House Atreides, as at the very least he still has the protection and companionship of his mother, Lady Jessica. While Paul learns the ways of the Fremen in Dune: Part 2, Jessica will continue to teach him in the ways of the Bene Gesserit – hoping that her boy will achieve what has been prophesized. Rebecca Ferguson, who delivers a brilliant performance in Dune, has been busy recently filming the new Mission: Impossible movies, but she will be reuniting with Denis Villeneuve for the sequel.

Zendaya

While her role in Dune was heavily publicized, Zendaya really doesn’t have very much screen time in the sci-fi blockbuster… but that is something that is very much going to change in Dune: Part 2. After being the literal girl of Paul’s dreams, Chani is now very much a part of his life, and the two of them will grow very close in the next chapter of this epic story – working together to try and save Arrakis from the evil forces that which to control and exploit it. Outside of the Dune franchise, Zendaya is best known for playing MJ in the MCU Spider-Man movies and her HBO series Euphoria.

Javier Bardem

Javier Bardem is very much in the same boat as Zendaya where Dune is concerned. He has some notable scenes as Stilgar in the film, but the vast majority of them aren’t until the very end. That will change in a big way with Dune: Part 2, as a huge part of the movie will be Paul and Jessica becoming acclimated in Fremen culture, and that’s a world where Stilgar stands up as leader.

Josh Brolin

By the time the third act rolls around in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune, audiences don’t know the fate of Josh Brolin’s Gurney Halleck. The character is featured trying to lead men in the fight back against the invasion of House Atreides on Arrakis, but the movie doesn’t feature a definitive scene that reveals his status. As such, this might be a bit of a spoiler… but Gurney Halleck is indeed alive, and he will be back in Dune: Part 2 once again played by Brolin.

Stellan Skarsgard

Baron Vladimir Harkonnen is one of the most iconic villains in the history of the science-fiction genre, and Stellan Skarsgård does a brilliant job with his performance in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune. He’s not in terrific shape at the end of the movie, as he is healing from the last-ditch effort attack by Duke Leto Atreides, but he is very much alive, and he is ready to bring the hammer down on Arrakis in Dune: Part 2 now that his enemies have been cleared off the board (or so he thinks).

Dave Bautista

Serving as one of Baron Harkonnen’s primary agents of cruelty in Dune: Part 2 will be Glossu “Beast” Rabban, played by the terrific Dave Bautista. The actor has just recently wrapped filming on another sci-fi epic – namely James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – but he’s surely excited to once again work with Denis Villeneuve, with whom he collaborated on Blade Runner 2049 before they came together on Dune.

Austin Butler

Denis Villeneuve admitted in November 2021 that Feyd-Rautha was purposefully left out of Dune so that the character could have a “more elegant” introduction, and the actor who has landed the sought after role is Austin Butler – the star of Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis. Butler joined the cast of Dune: Part 2 in March 2022, and he will star in the sequel as a kind of counterpart to Dave Bautista’s Glossu Rabban. While “Beast” is all about brutality and strength, Feyd-Rautha is a villain who relies on intelligence and cunning (though, like every Harkonnen, at the end of the day he is a terrifying sadist).

Florence Pugh

Preceding the casting news about Austin Butler in Dune: Part 2 by just two days was the announcement that Florence Pugh has signed on to play a key part in the ensemble. She will be playing Princess Irulan in the hotly anticipated sequel, and without giving away too much to those of you who haven’t read the book, it may be a role that stirs up some controversy when the film hits theaters. The movie will provide a second opportunity for Pugh and Timothée Chalamet to work together, as they both previously starred in Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of Little Women.

Christopher Walken

Fresh off his acclaimed performance in the AppleTV+ original series Severance, Christopher Walken is joining the Dune franchise – but he’s not just headed into space; he’s going to be running the whole show. It was reported in early May 2022 that Walken has signed on to play the role of Emperor Shaddam IV in Dune: Part 2. Presumably the movie will dig more into the relationship between the Emperor and House Harkonnen, who conspired to try and decimate House Atreides on Arrakis.

Léa Seydoux

Léa Seydoux has gotten a lot of blockbuster experience in recent years starring in the last two James Bond movies starring Daniel Craig, and she'll keep her run of big films going with a key role in Dune: Part 2. As was first reported in June 2022, she will be playing Margot Fenring, a member of the Bene Gesserit sisterhood whose husband Count Hasimir Fenring is a close friend an ally of Emperor Shaddam IV.

Souheila Yacoub

In July 2022, it was reported by Deadline that Souheila Yacoub has joined the Dune: Part 2 cast. In the blockbuster sequel she will be playing Shishakli – a member of the Fremen who notably provides Paul Atreides with the hooks for riding sandworms. It's not a particularly massive role, but it's an interesting casting choice given that the character in the book is a man.

Tim Blake Nelson

Tim Blake Nelson is one of Hollywood's most gifted character actors, perhaps best known for his delightful role in Joel and Ethan Coen's O Brother Where Art Thou, and he was revealed as a member of the cast of Dune: Part 2 in January 2023. Unfortunately, reports about him being in the movie did not include details about the part he will be playing (and he hasn't been featured in any of the film's trailers). It's one of two major franchise gigs that Nelson has going right now, as he is also set to reprise his role as Dr. Samuel Sterns in Marvel's upcoming Captain America: Brave New World.

Set to arrive in theaters almost exactly two years after its predecessor arrived on the big screen, Dune: Part 2 will be released on March 1, 2024. You can consult our 2024 Movie Release Calendar to find all of the new films that keep you distracted and not thinking about the long wait for the sequel.

A lot of franchise conventions were challenged in Daniel Craig’s final James Bond outing, the explosive finale known as No Time To Die. Adding to the sweeping changes in dynamic was, naturally, the role of Léa Seydoux’s Dr. Madeleine Swann being brought back to draw further dramatic contrast between the modern era of 007 and its storied past. Dr. Swann isn’t a conventional Bond Girl, and even Ms. Seydoux herself admits that as the truth, as she doesn’t see herself as a conventional Bond actor. 

It’s rather daunting to think of oneself as an “outside of the box” pick for the Bond legacy, as that sort of talent doesn’t always work out. Speaking with the publication Screen Daily, the actor who made her Bond debut in Spectre wrestled with that prospect herself, and in a unique fashion. When labeling herself an unconventional performer in this series, Ms. Seydoux laid out the following rationale: 

Introduced in Daniel Craig's fourth Bond film, Léa Seydoux’s Madeleine set herself apart from the already impressive Bond Women canon, rather quickly. Playing the daughter of 007 nemesis Mr. White, Dr. Swann was the sort of character who could make James Bond question everything he knew about trust in the world. When it came to reprising her character in No Time To Die, Ms. Seydoux would have the opportunity to do just that, throwing that seemingly happy ending from Spectre into question from the very beginning of the final Craig era adventure. 

One probably wouldn’t be wrong to question whether or not Madeleine Swann would return for the 25th 007 movie. Female associates and love interests have an extremely rare chance of seeing themselves called back to play alongside England’s greatest secret agent. Thankfully, when Daniel Craig was convinced to return for No Time To Die, that meant it was also time for Léa Seydoux to be asked back to close out the serialized arc she’d joined. It was a prospect that excited Ms. Seydoux for these reasons:

By helping develop Madeline Swann further with co-writer/director Cary Joji Fukunaga, Léa Seydoux felt she was able to explore her character in a unique way with No Time To Die. That’s exactly the kind of experiment that succeeds when you cast an actor that’s an unconventional pick when compared to previous Bond history. Just as Daniel Craig has left a pretty huge vacancy to fill for the next 007, the next woman to go into action with James Bond will have to live up to Ms. Seydoux’s sterling work. 

No Time To Die is currently enjoying its awards season victory lap, with a limited IMAX re-release underway. Though the film is also available for rental or purchase on digital and physical media, if you’d rather enjoy it at home. If you’re ready to move onto the year to come, check out the 2022 release schedule to see what’s heading to a theater near you in the near future. 

Warning: SPOILERS for No Time To Die are in play. Once you read them, they can’t be taken back. So if you want to go in unspoiled, this is your official warning to turn back.

One of the hot topics leading up to No Time To Die’s theatrical release was the supposedly deadly secret of Dr. Madeleine Swann (Léa Seydoux). A good portion of the time waiting for the movie to finally be released to the public has been dedicated to trying to figure out just what this “daughter of SPECTRE” has been hiding. Since No Time To Die has officially concluded the Daniel Craig era of James Bond movies, we pretty much have all the answers to any question we could ever ask about the movie. 

This includes all of the details that spell out just what Dr. Madeleine Swann’s big secret happens to be. This is the last chance you’ll get to turn back and avoid spoilers for No Time To Die. For those of you sticking around, it’s time to finally uncover the mystery that posed such a threat to James Bond’s life. 

What Is Dr. Madeleine Swann’s Big Secret? 

The world-changing secret of Dr. Madeleine Swann stems from No Time To Die’s pre-credits sequence, where Madeleine and James Bond (Daniel Craig) are about to start their lives together. Taking place right after Spectre, the couple’s idyllic vacation to Matera, Italy is about letting the past go. But before long, SPECTRE is wreaking havoc, causing James to question whether Madeleine can be trusted. Which prevents her from breaking the big news she was about to reveal: she’s pregnant with their child. 

Five years pass between Spectre and No Time To Die, and all this time Madeleine has been raising a daughter named Mathilde (Lisa-Dorah Sonnet). Resuming her psychiatric practice, that quiet life is only waiting to be disrupted, as a patient of Dr. Swann’s is Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Christoph Waltz). She’s the only person he’ll officially talk to, which puts her in the crosshairs of an old acquaintance: Lyutsifer Safin (Rami Malek), the man who killed her mother, spared her life and became obsessed with his would-be target. 

The Origins Of Safin’s Obsession With Madeleine

Lyutsifer Safin becomes obsessed with the idea that, upon sparing Madeleine her life, she “belongs” to him. As he couldn’t bring himself to kill her during No Time To Die’s chilling pre-titles flashback, Safin spares Léa Seydoux’s character, but in turn fixates on her for some time to come. On the surface, Dr. Madeleine Swann’s access to Ernst Stavro Blofeld is of primary importance, as Safin wants to use her to kill him with the newly-purloined Project Heracles. 

However, there’s another motive that sees No Time To Die’s antagonist acting when it comes to the subject of Madeleine. Ready to unleash Heracles upon the world, Madeleine is meant to stay as Safin’s captive. In a sense, Safin is building a new family by capturing Dr. Swann, as they are both children orphaned by SPECTRE’s actions. While Madeleine was open with James Bond about her traumatic childhood, perhaps telling him about the masked man that saved her from freezing to death would have been a good fact to divulge.

Wait, Madeleine’s Not With SPECTRE?

After all of this time, with theories ranging from Dr. Madeleine Swann either being a secret child soldier or a psychological mastermind bent on breaking James Bond, the truth can finally be revealed. Madeleine is absolutely, 100%, not connected to SPECTRE’s operations. No Time To Die may have thrown some final curveballs, what with a henchman even calling Madeleine a “daughter of SPECTRE” and all. But besides having a father who literally worked for the organization (and killed Safin’s family in the process,) Dr. Swann isn’t on the take at all.

Much like James Bond, the audience has been gaslit by the ploy of Blofeld to paint Dr. Madeleine Swann as another person that Bond shouldn’t be able to trust. No Time To Die reveals that those rumors about Madeleine being a SPECTRE agent were just the once and future 007 having his mind screwed with by his adopted brother. Which, in turn, caused James to miss out on five years caring for his darling daughter, Mathilde. 

Mathilde, The Daughter Of Madeleine Swann And James Bond

Yes, that lover’s vacation to Matera gave James Bond and Madeleine Swann more to talk about than just the weather. No Time To Die splits the couple up before Madeleine could tell James the secret she’d been intending to reveal during this trip. As intended, James was to once and for all rid himself of the memory of the late Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) so that the two could have a future together. Part of that future being the news that Madeleine alludes to when put on a train, with it looking at the time that she'll never seen Bond again.

With a quick grasp of her stomach upon learning that James Bond is sending her away, those rumors from the No Time To Die set seemed to be proven correct. So when James and Madeleine embrace for the first time in five years, and we see a young blue-eyed girl interrupt, we pretty much knew what was up. Though Madeleine told him that Mathilde wasn’t his, she ultimately confirms that James is the father when she admits that their daughter does have his eyes. This happens right before he’s blown apart by the explosive volley unleashed by the HMS Dragon, proving Blofeld right in his proclamation that “once her secret finds its way to you, it’ll be the death of you.” 

How Madeleine Swann’s Secrets Killed James Bond

Madeleine Swann’s secrets in No Time To Die directly lead to the death of James Bond, albeit through no sinister means. This is thanks to Safin’s infatuation with Madeleine motivating him to create his “insurance policy,” which is a bespoke variant of Project Heracles that would ensure James Bond would never come near her or Matilde again. Acting as the darkest reflection of James Bond’s “at all costs” personality, Safin ensures his revenge against Bond is eternal, as once Project Heracles is in your bloodstream, it never leaves. 

Which moves us to the literal death that Madeleine’s secrets pretty much ensured for James Bond. No Time To Die sees Commander Bond left with the ultimate choice after killing Safin, who infected him with that very special blend of Project Heracles. Knowing he’ll not only never be able to see Madeleine or Mathilde again, and even if he leaves the island, the nanobot infection will eventually circulate their way, Bond allows himself to be incinerated. Were he to have lived, James would always be a threat to Madeleine and Mathilde in every sense of the word. 

James Bond never had a problem finding a cause to fight for, or a family of MI6 employees to call compatriots. But his greatest duty ultimately came down to saving Madeleine, the love of his life, and Mathilde, his daughter who could have the life he never had. While Dr. Madeleine Swann’s secrets killed James Bond, his death was not out of spite or defeat, but honor. Not all hidden truths that kill come from dark places, and if he had to die for something, Commander Bond chose the best death possible. 

Just because Madeleine Swann’s secrets are out doesn’t mean that No Time To Die is completely decoded. Those of you who have seen the film already, or decided to read through this dossier in order to learn those secrets beforehand, may be learn more in the days to come. So be sure to check your local listings and see when you can schedule your date with 007 destiny. 

No Time to Die was the proper send-off for Daniel Craig after playing James Bond for almost two decades. It’s hard to say, but that almost didn’t happen. Before No Time to Die was announced, there were whispers 2015’s Spectre was Craig’s last Bond outing. The actor even hinted that the acclaimed film was his last. So, his return to the franchise was a surprise to many fans. Even his co-stars were thrown off by Craig’s return to the role. Spectre’s Léa Seydoux seemed to think the actor was done with playing 007.

The potential relationship between James Bond and Dr. Madeleine Swann was teased toward the end of Spectre. So, moviegoers were excited to see Léa Seydoux’s return for No Time to Die. But Seydoux never thought the story would play out after working on Spectre with Daniel Craig. The No Time to Die star commented to JoBlo over her surprise with Craig’s return to the Bond franchise.

The actress' account painted the picture of a weary and exhausted Daniel Craig on the set of Spectre. Craig’s exhaustion was understandable, considering he had done four films over 10 years. Fighting villains, hopping over cars and running through explosions can become tiresome after a while. Craig was starting to feel some fatigue from doing intense action scenes over a few years. He probably felt like he had tapped into every facet of James Bond at that point.

So, Daniel Craig’s return as 007 was a pleasant surprise for devoted Bond fans. The actor’s return meant moviegoers would get to see Léa Seydoux once again. Bond fans got to see his and Dr. Swann’s relationship carry over to No Time to Die. This rarity in the Bond franchise made Craig’s swan song even more special.

With No Time to Die being Daniel Craig’s final outing, it was nice to see him and Léa Seydoux share the screen once more. Maybe that’s something the next James Bond could do once they’re announced. At least, Craig got to finish on a high note. Now, viewers can watch Craig become Bond once more with his swan song currently playing in theaters.

As we look back throughout the Daniel Craig era of James Bond movies, there are a lot of changes that can be highlighted throughout his record-breaking run. But expanding that view to the nearly-60-year history of 007 adventures, one of the marked, yet constant improvements has been the female characters in the series. Léa Seydoux’s Dr. Madeleine Swann is a recent example of such developments, as she became a Bond woman who got to show the world a facet never explored before in No Time To Die: a combination of being able to take care of herself, while also exploring a rare fragility.

Sitting down to tackle the No Time To Die press day, one of the threads that stood out was the fact that Dr. Madeleine Swann is the first James Bond woman in the Craig era to return. Normally the women in Bond’s life tend to either die or disappear, never to be heard from again. But Seydoux’s character, introduced in 2015’s Spectre, returned for good reason, which allowed her to vary her approach to No Time To Die in the following context: 

A lot of the marketing for No Time To Die has absolutely focused on Léa Seydoux’s return, more specifically centering in on the fact that Dr. Madeleine Swann has a supposedly deadly secret. That mere suggestion sends James Bond, and the audience, off on a bit of a spiral. It wasn’t too long ago that we saw 007 get his heart broken in Casino Royale, as well as in the events of Skyfall. To suggest the woman he fell for in Spectre might be his greatest threat is a massive possibility to deal with, and director/co-writer Cary Joji Fukunaga’s entry into the James Bond canon makes that its thematic centerpiece.

That potential is ramped up even more when you watch how No Time To Die sets up the events of the film. Early on, we’re treated to the sequence we’ve seen in the trailers where Bond and Madeleine are on a romantic getaway in Matera. It doesn’t take long before the real Bond action kicks in, but for a moment, we’re shown a window into the life that James wants to have with Dr. Swann.

It almost feels like it’s another movie, but soon enough, an errand to make peace with the past turns into No Time To Die’s main thematic point. While you may have let the past die, sometimes those events, or persons, don’t want to let go of you. For the third time in the Daniel Craig era, someone’s returned from the darkness to try and shape the future. Only in the case of Rami Malek’s mysterious Safin, he shares a deeper connection Léa Seydoux’s Madeleine.

No Time To Die has given the world its most important Bond woman yet through Dr. Madeleine Swann. That fact ties into a lot of the basic differences between Léa Seydoux's Madeleine and the classic Bond girl archetype. The total package was too good for Seydoux not to return, and she said as much when reflecting on her decision to reprise the role: 

As much as Daniel Craig and the James Bond fans can celebrate No Time To Die as a proper ending to the Craig era of films, the continued advancement of Bond women is also something to cheer about. Through Léa Seydoux’s simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming performance, there’s a chance that her prediction about audiences and their tear ducts just might come true. We’ll find out soon enough, as early showings of No Time To Die are already underway ahead of this weekend’s massive US opening. 

In the midst of anticipating how No Time To Die’s finale will change everything, the last movie in James Bond's Daniel Craig era holds another crucial mystery. It all has to do with Dr. Madeleine Swann (Léa Seydoux), a woman who apparently holds a huge secret that could “kill” the secret agent she loves. While we’ve still got some time before we discover what hidden facts might be so lethal in the world of James Bond, let’s take a look at what could possibly be the darkest theory behind Dr. Swann’s shadowy revelation.

Just a warning before we move ahead: there are tons of spoilers for all of the Daniel Craig movies here. Should you need to catch up with everything from Casino Royale to Spectre, it’s best to turn back now. With that warning in mind, here’s the hypothetical scenario that even James Bond himself is probably worried about in the opening of No Time To Die.

The Darkest Theory Behind Dr. Madeleine Swann’s Big Secret

The largest suggestion that’s been made in reference to Madeleine's big secret is that she’s connected to SPECTRE in some way. Between her father, Mr. White (Jesper Christensen), playing an integral role in their operations, as well as some interesting phone calls that James Bond receives during the early moments of No Time To Die, there’s a lot of curiosity being stoked about how Dr. Madeleine Swann could be connected to the infamous terror organization. The darkest possibility being that Dr. Swann has been working for SPECTRE the whole time and handing them the psychological weapons to destroy James Bond.

Her background as a psychologist positions her as a potential expert in SPECTRE’s efforts to undermine the intelligence community throughout the world. But James Bond, the constant thorn in the side of Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Christoph Waltz), deserved some special treatment. So knowing his adopted brother’s tragic past, and the scars he’s picked up throughout his career as a 00-agent, he enlisted Dr. Madeleine Swann in the ultimate psychological war against 007.

The trump card to the operation, quite possibly, could be the romance between Madeleine and James, which may or may not have inspired her to shift loyalties to the side of good. By the time Spectre shows us the couple driving into their future together, the damage has already been done. Whether she’s still serving SPECTRE or not, Blofeld now has an advantage that could send James Bond into the ultimate tale spin. But in this darkest scenario, we’ll assume that Dr. Swann is indeed a baddie.

Dr. Madeleine Swann’s Past Is Mostly A Mystery

When starting to look at the evidence presented throughout the James Bond series, most notably in 2015’s Spectre, it becomes clear we know very little about Dr. Madeleine Swann’s past. Save for some stories she told James throughout their adventure together in Sam Mendes’ second Bond film, there’s a wide gulf to explore. And part of that past might be coming back to haunt her, not only through her secret, but also through the presence of Safin (Rami Malek).

Her potential service to SPECTRE could range from actually getting her hands dirty as a child soldier to running psychological warfare programs that keep the group ahead of their potential foils. Remember, that CinemaCon footage did make references to Madeleine Swann as a “daughter of SPECTRE,” and hinted at a sacrifice that would make her father, and the organization, proud. James Bond is suspicious of Dr. Swann’s secrets, and he may have a good reason for that, as her total personal history isn’t quite clear.

James Bond Would Have Never Met Madeleine, If It Wasn’t For Her Father, Mr. White

As James Bond started to connect even more of the dots between Quantum and SPECTRE, his trail eventually leads him to Mr. White, also known as “The Pale King.” Apparently human trafficking was the cause of Blofeld and White’s falling out, which led to SPECTRE’s leader ordering a hit on his former associate. Of course, that wasn’t before Mr. White made 007 promise to take care of his daughter, the first big step in connecting these future lovers. But what if Mr. White hadn’t truly defected, and his actions in Spectre were part of a larger game.

He could have already been dying and been allowed the chance to live the rest of his days in solace, for a price. Acting as a believable pawn between James Bond and Ernst Stavro Blofeld, Mr. White put his foe on the path to meet his daughter, who will ultimately become his greatest weakness. That's fitting enough, as his death is a suicide over a chess game in progress. Considering the business he’s in, this is as comfortable of a “retirement plan” as one could hope for, but it also ties into a previous effort that Mr. White had launched to win over James Bond.

Spectre Has Become Quite The Experts In Running This Particular Game

James Bond isn’t the only intelligence agent that SPECTRE has turned in the name of love. Both Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) in Casino Royale, and Canadian intelligence operative Corinne Veneau (Stana Katic) in Quantum of Solace were revealed to be turned by the same agent. SPECTRE has always been trying to knock James Bond off his game, whether it’s by recruitment through an attractive turncoat, or by inflicting pain throughout his early adventures. Most knowingly, Mr. White made the following admission during his interrogation in Quantum:

Blofeld even flat out crowns himself as “the author of all [his] pain” in Spectre. As not only a jealous adopted brother, but also the head of the organization that had a hand in the deaths of Vesper Lynd and M, this is absolutely true. While Vesper’s end was her own doing, the attack on M may have been suggested based on Dr. Swann’s psychological profile on Bond; the same profiling that was used against other operatives time and again. And what pain would be greater than just as he starts to think he can love again, Madeleine Swann is revealed to have targeted key intelligence operatives around the world, Bond included, in order to compromise them through honey trap operations?

Madeleine Swann May Be SPECTRE’s Ultimate Weapon To Destroy James Bond

Knowing all of his weaknesses, and working for SPECTRE as a psychological profiler, Madeleine Swann holds all the cards to destroy James Bond in this dark theory. Her knowledge of his past is exactly what she needs to make him fall in love for the first time since Vesper, which would put him in his most vulnerable spot yet. There’s a potential she may have fallen for Bond, and decided to actually make an attempt to go straight in No Time To Die. But after all of her past sins, it might just be the death of James Bond, as Safin is ready to kill him to get to her.

If this theory is true, Dr. Madeleine Swann may have been intended as the ultimate neutralization of James Bond. Preying on his psychological weaknesses, she convinces him to take himself off the board and live a life of love away from the world of spies. But when Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright) comes calling with a very important mission, the darker option is executed by breaking Bond’s spirit through a shocking revelation, just as he’s ready to trust Madeleine once and for all.

Many factors may have changed, and Madeleine Swann just might be on the side of good in No Time To Die. Even if that’s true, her perceived actions above prove that at one point, she was the sharpest knife in the drawer of weapons SPECTRE used against James Bond. Those past actions will almost assuredly come home to roost, as Safin’s diabolical plan sounds like it’s partially based on personal vendetta.

We’ll find out the truth behind Dr. Madeleine Swann, and see Daniel Craig’s James Bond embark on an epic conclusion to his five film arc, when No Time To Die releases in theaters this fall. For our UK readers, that means September 30 is the big day; while US readers will have to pencil themselves in for showings starting on October 8. The clock is ticking, and whatever the result is, the wait is almost over for the moment that James Bond finally returns.

At this year’s CinemaCon exhibition in Las Vegas, an extended sequence of footage was shown from director Cary Joji Fukunaga’s upcoming James Bond film, No Time To Die. Making the prospect of the supposedly unavoidable October release date all the more real, seeing Daniel Craig in action for his final 007 adventure seems to have been quite the treat. However, digging into the finer details of that footage, it looks like the secret being harbored by Léa Seydoux’s Dr. Madeline Swann has been further teased in the process.

It appears it’s time to rev the hype engines for No Time To Die up once again, as we’re going to take a look at everything we know about Madeleine Swann so far. By putting these pieces together, we might just be able to speculate a little more further down the line about what her supposedly deadly secret is, and how it may connect to James Bond himself. Let’s start at the beginning with her very personal connection to a seriously nasty foe in the Bond canon.

Madeleine's Father, Mr. White, Was A High Level Lieutenant For SPECTRE

Present in the Daniel Craig run for each previous film, minus 2012’s Skyfall, Mr. White (Jesper Christensen) is the link between the eras of both Quantum and SPECTRE’s modern incarnation. A high level figure in both organizations' charts, White was eventually revealed to be the father of Dr. Madeleine Swann thanks to Bond’s supposedly secret rendezvous with him in Spectre. Rather than resign himself to death by poisoning, Mr. White accepted James’s offer to protect her and committed suicide with a gun given to him by Bond.

Going back to the No Time To Die footage shown at CinemaCon, this brings to mind a line of dialogue repeated twice in James Bond’s fight with a supposed SPECTRE henchman. Labeling her as a “daughter of SPECTRE,” it feels like on the surface, the attack on Bond and Dr. Swann is a personal vendetta that Blofeld (Christoph Waltz) may want to square up. Killing the daughter of a traitor is a powerful message, but doing so alongside the man who’s given him the most grief throughout life? That’s a potentially huge win for the incarcerated bad guy.

Madeleine’s Mother Was Killed By Safin, And He’s Still Fixated On Her

Another important piece of knowledge dropped in Spectre is the fact that Madeleine Swann is actually a survivor of a previous hit issued against her. Telling James Bond that story as an explanation of why she hates guns, but knows how to handle them, is another clue to the connection between Swann and her would-be assassin Safin (Rami Malek.) Which stretches back to that fateful day in Madeleine’s childhood, where No Time To Die’s main villain killed her mother and she supposedly tried to end him.

Her survival is part of the puzzle that will be solved in the 25th James Bond movie, with Safin ready to either finish the job or inflict even greater pain upon Dr. Swann’s psyche. Think back to the “Meet Safin” video released in promotion of No Time To Die, where Rami Malek threatened Léa Seydoux by identifying as “a man willing to kill the person you love the most.” Sure, that could be proof that the rumors of Swann and Bond having a child could be true. However, that could also be a simple threat that while he may not kill her, James Bond is definitely a target on his list.

After Distancing From Her Father, Dr. Swann Became A Psychologist

Learning of his role in the criminal organization of SPECTRE, Madeleine Swann distanced herself from her father’s evil deeds. Looking to help humanity rather than harm it, Dr. Swann studied to become a psychologist and lent her services to the greater good. Running from her past, Madeleine was still devastated when shown the footage of Mr. White taking his own life thanks to the assistance of one James Bond.

The subject of Madeleine’s grief over that moment is barely tackled in Spectre, as we see Bond and Dr. Swann escaping together, still very much in love. This distance that formed between Madeleine and Mr. White looks like a clean break, but what exactly prompted it is still left to the imagination. And questions towards that point have definitely started forming after the new footage for No Time To Die was revealed.

There’s Definitely A Connection Between Blofeld And Madeline Swann

Perhaps the most important push-pin in the conspiracy board that is No Time To Die is the fact that, thanks to this new CinemaCon footage, it looks like there’s definitely a deeper connection between Dr. Madeleine Swann and Ernst Stavro Blofeld. Between Blofeld “sending his regards” to a “daughter of SPECTRE” and a line from Spectre about how he remembered meeting Madeleine as a child, there’s a potential for some gaps in that story to be filled with a horrific reality.

While he doesn’t seem to be the central antagonist for No Time To Die, Blofeld is definitely having fun taking shots at James Bond’s mental health. Almost every trailer seems to drop his taunting line about how “when her secret finds its way out, it’ll be the death of you.” Also, Blofeld himself tells Madeleine, through a phone call James witnesses, that “[her] father would be so proud”. Somewhere in the darkness that is Madeleine Swann’s past, there’s a potential for something truly sinister to be discovered.

Looking at what we know about Dr. Madeleine Swann, she could be James Bond’s greatest love, but also his ultimate undoing. We’ll finally know the truth behind her secret, and the rest of the revelations that close out the Daniel Craig era of James Bond films when No Time To Die opens this fall. UK audiences will get those answers on September 30, while the US will see those results on October 8.

As far as movie franchises go, there are few quite as massive and long-running as the James Bond movies. 007's adventures as an MI6 agent have enthralled audiences for decades, and Eon Productions is showing no signs of slowing down. But Daniel Craig's tenure as Bond will come to an end with Cary Joji Fukunaga's No Time to Die. The highly anticipated blockbuster has been pushed back a number of times, but actress Lea Seydoux was able to see the theatrical cut. And she even shared her thoughts on Bond 25.

Lea Seydoux will be making her second appearance in the Bond franchise with No Time to Die, playing psychiatrist Dr. Madeleine Swann. She's reprising the role she debuted back with Spectre, one of many returning characters set to appear in the next movie. No Time to Die was pushed back seven months over concerns over the global COVID-19 pandemic, Seydoux recently spoke to the movie's contents, saying:

Well, this is exciting. It looks like Cary Joji Fukunaga has crafted an especially emotional movie for Daniel Craig's swan song as Bond. It's so emotional that even cast members like Lea Seydoux were affected, despite already knowing the contents of the No Time to Die.

Lea Seydoux's comments to The Daily Mail are sure to pique the interest of longtime Bond fans, who have been eagerly anticipating No Time to Die's release. The wait has been especially painful given its myriad delays, which have left the generations of moviegoers to try to stay patient for Bond's return to theaters. Luckily, it appears that the movie will be worth it.

Daniel Craig's time as 007 has seen the franchise make some big changes, including embracing serialized storytelling. While Bond movies have historically been an anthology series, each movie starring Craig is connected to the last. His actions are informed by the events of his previous big screen adventures, with characters and plot lines helping to connect each blockbuster.

And with No Time to Die marking the final installment in this slate of movies, it's no doubt going to be an emotional journey or James Bond. The movie's trailers show Lea Seydoux's Madeleine Swann and Bond on a high speed car chase, with 007 claiming that something from her dark past has come back to bite them. The movie will also see the return of Naomie Harris, Jeffrey Wright, Christoph Waltz, Ralph Fiennes, and Ben Whishaw.

No Time to Die is currently set to arrive in theaters on November 25th. In the meantime, check out our 2020 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

What comes to mind when you think of a Wes Anderson film? If you said pastels, a twinkly musical score and one hell of a cast, then you’re absolutely correct in your beliefs. Should anyone question your Anderson acumen, then you have plenty of evidence to provide to back up your valid hypothesis, especially when the trailer for The French Dispatch features such stars as Timothee Chalamet and Bill Murray in its full cast list.

As luck would have it, we have that cast list provided below, which shows off the pretty extensive lineup that Anderson has assembled for The French Dispatch.

Before we dive into a deeper breakdown of the cast, it’s particularly notable that we have a classic Wes Anderson narrator at large in The French Dispatch. Anjelica Huston, a long time Anderson player, is the omniscient voice that will bring the entire package to live. And here are the players she’ll be commentating on throughout the film:

The Staff Of The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun

Bill Murray

One of the many veterans of the Wes Anderson Repertory Company is none other than comedy legend Bill Murray! In their latest collaboration, Murray will be playing the role of Arthur Howitzer Jr, the editor of The French Dispatch that ties the universe together. So basically, Murray is almost playing the exact same role he provides to the world at large.

Owen Wilson

Also rejoining the ranks of Wes Anderson’s frequent flyer club is Owen Wilson, someone who’s been in almost all of the director’s films. Herbsaint Sazerac is Wilson’s new character, a writer on staff at The French Dispatch who can be counted on for witty conversation and bicycle repair prowess, as well as sterling copy.

Jason Schwartzman

How could a Wes Anderson movie not have Jason Schwartzman attached, even in the slightest capacity? Another longtime friend and employee in the Anderson orbit, Schwartzman’s Hermes Jones looks to be the cover artist for The French Dispatch. Here’s hoping his quips are as crazy as his hair.

Elisabeth Moss

Rounding out the staff members of The French Dispatch who are displayed outside of individual vignettes is Elisabeth Moss, a newcomer to the wild and crazy world of Wes Anderson’s work. We don’t know her character's name yet, but it looks like Moss’ dry and wry sensibilities from Mad Men will make this follow-up to her work on The Invisible Man a nice change of comedic pace.

We’ll now move onto the three stories that The French Dispatch tells at the heart of its very last issue in print. With each story is a journalist from the staff at its heart, recalling events from various time periods and moments of turmoil in this film’s thematic structure.

Story 1: The Concrete Masterpiece, By J.K.L. Bernesen

Tilda Swinton

Providing the lecture that details the story within “The Concrete Masterpiece” is The French Dispatch’s journalist J.K.L. Bernesen. Artistically inclined, and ever fashionable, Berensen is brought to life by the impeccable Tilda Swinton. Her track record in the Wes Anderson Repertory Company stretches back to 2012’s Moonrise Kingdom, and has endured ever since.

Benicio Del Toro

Another first timer comes to the fold in The French Dispatch, as Moses Rosenthaler, the artist at the heart of “The Concrete Masterpiece” is played by Benicio Del Toro. Just watching his banter with co-star Adrian Brody is enough to convince even the most casual observer that Del Toro clearly belongs in this motley crew of acting talent.

Lea Seydoux

The muse for Rosenthaler’s work, and subject of a painting that’s of particular importance to The French Dispatch, is the alluring and mysterious Simone. Seen as both muse and prison guard, this part is played by Spectre’s Léa Seydoux. No stranger to Wes Anderson’s work, Seydoux previously worked with the director on 2014’s The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Adrien Brody

Seeking to purchase Moses Rosenthaler’s un-buyable “Simone, Naked, Cell Block J, Hobby Room (oil on sackcloth)” is the persistent art dealer, Julien Cadazio. As previously mentioned, this bickersome character is played by Adrien Brody, best known for his roles in Anderson’s previous films The Darjeeling Limited and The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Bob Balaban and Henry Winkler

In order to aid his art savvy empire, Julien Cadazio has the help of two ‘business-partner uncles’ at his disposal in The French Dispatch. Playing one of those two uncles is comedic stalwart Bob Balaban, who, much like Tilda Swinton, has been an Anderson disciple since Moonrise Kingdom. The other Cadazio uncle is the big surprise though, as the legendary Henry Winkler is playing him, making his debut in the Wes Anderson three ring circus!

Story 2: Revisions To A Manifesto, By Lucinda Krementz

Frances McDormand

Story 2 of The French Dispatch, Lucinda Krementz’s “Revisions To A Manifesto,” focuses on two crazy kids who happen to be in love during a tumultuous student revolution. The journalist telling this story is played by Frances McDormand, last heard bringing the news to the Wes Anderson created world of Isle of Dogs.

Timothee Chalamet

It was only a matter of time before Timothee Chalamet and Wes Anderson crossed paths. Nature basically dictated it, and it’s only fair that Chalamet be the one to play Zeffirelli, a revolutionary student in The French Dispatch. Looking like a prodigious chess player to boot, this young man could put that knowledge to political usage as well.

Lyna Khoudri

Making her major motion picture debut with The French Dispatch is actor Lyna Khoudri. Playing Juliette, the girlfriend to Timothee Chalamet’s Zeffirelli, their pairing was destined based on their character names. With a motor scooter and a bad attitude, her fire matches that of her fellow activist and boyfriend.

Story 3: The Private Dining Room Of The Police Commissioner, By Roebuck Wright

Jeffrey Wright

Our final story in The French Dispatch's catalog of whimsy is entitled "The Private Dining Room Of The Police Commissioner, By Roebuck Wright." Wright, played by Westworld and No Time To Die actor Jeffrey Wright, is the resident food journalist at the film's titular magazine. Reporting on something called "Police Cuisine," he becomes embroiled in a story that looks like it leads to a hostage standoff, and a lot of symmetrical gunfire.

Liev Schreiber

Part of Roebuck Wright's story looks to be told through his appearance on a TV show of some sort. Cast as the presenter of that show is Isle Of Dogs voice actor Liev Schreiber, making this his second Wes Anderson film. We don't know his character's name yet, but The French Dispatch looks like it's going to make the most of pairing Schreiber with Jeffrey Wright.

Willem Dafoe

While not all of the star studded cast members of The French Dispatch may play larger than life characters, it's nice to see Wes Anderson continue to reward previous collaborators with spots in the lineup. Willem Dafoe is one such fixture in this cast, as his prisoner character doesn't have a name yet, and is only seen briefly in the film's trailer. A sporadic presence in Anderson's universe, Dafoe was most notably present in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zizzou, but also in the casts for Fantastic Mr. Fox and The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Mathieu Amalric

Cast as "a policeman with a kidnapped son,” Mathieu Amalric won't just be enjoying food alongside Jeffrey Wright's Roebuck Wright. As this third story centers around said kidnapping, Amalric's policeman will undoubtedly be excusing himself from dinner a little earlier than expected. This marks the actor's second Wes Anderson film, as The Grand Budapest Hotel was Mathiew Amalric's appearance in an Anderson picture.

Edward Norton

The voice on the other end of that phone Mathieu Amalric is holding was quite recognizable upon the first viewing of The French Dispatch's trailer. Edward Norton has one of those distinct vocal ranges that automatically pegs him in any film he shows up in, and as the kidnapper behind the insidious plot of "The Private Dining Room Of The Police Commissioner, By Roebuck Wright," he's even easy to spot in a group of dissidents firing at will upon authorities. And before you ask, yes, Norton is another cast member that's been a part of the Wes Anderson Repertory Company since Moonrise Kingdom.

Saoirse Ronan

Rounding out the cast of characters partaking in the kidnapping of a policeman's son is a rather mysterious woman. So mysterious, we don't know her character's name. However, we do know that she's played by Academy Award nominee Saoirse Ronan, who was previously spotted in Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel. With The French Dispatch, Ronan looks to be playing against type, as a figure on the side of evil.

Stephen Park

Last, but not least is Stephen Park's Lieutenant Nescafier, the chef behind the gorgeous meal that "The Private Dining Room Of The Police Commissioner, By Roebuck Wright" looks to be serving. But Park's character also happens to be listed as solving a kidnapping in The French Dispatch. Which is pretty handy, considering how fast things shift from a table of smiling guests gushing over cuisine to exchanging bullets and phone calls.

The French Dispatch has a huge cast, three stories and a boatload of ambition to potentially become the next, best Wes Anderson film. We'll see if it pays off when the film opens in theaters on July 25. Though should that release date be delayed, due to the ever shifting release calendar affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, we'll report such an update as it occurs.

By the time No Time To Die, the film previously known to the world solely as Bond 25, hits the world, it will almost have been 5 years since James Bond’s last adventure hit theaters. With a lot riding on what could be Daniel Craig’s final adventure as the famed superspy, there’s a lot of information that’s still hidden for a film that’s going to be released in the near future.

While some details are concealed under No Time To Die’s veil of secrecy, we also do know a bit about this mysterious film that hasn’t dropped a trailer just yet. And, looking at all of that information at once shows us where our gaps in knowledge may be leading in the long run. As we put together the pieces that are out there, here’s what we know so far about No Time To Die.

When Is No Time To Die Being Released?

Atypical to the traditional model of releasing a James Bond movie in November, No Time To Die will be released in theaters on April 10, 2020. Originally, the film was slated for release on November 8, 2019, but a production delay then pushed No Time To Die to a tentative February 14, 2020 release date. One more delay was implemented, putting the film in its current release slot, though it still wouldn’t be surprising if someone decided to push the film to a November release, in the name of tradition and post-production.

What Will No Time To Die Be Rated?

There’s no way to tell how No Time To Die will be rated at this moment, but it’s a pretty easy guess to make. With the Bond series being historically a PG-13 rated affair, it looks like the 25th film in the series will carry the rating that’s been the franchise’s bread and butter since 1989’s License To Kill.

What Will Be The Story Of No Time To Die?

Per the official announcement of production starting on No Time To Die, the story of the film was laid out in the following synopsis:

While we don’t know it for sure, Bond’s retirement at the end of Spectre, with Dr. Madeleine Swann by his side, may yield some more personal stakes that haven’t been revealed just yet. Let’s just say the series has been playing around with the On Her Majesty’s Secret Service influences to a point where James may see his most devastating loss since Vesper Lynd’s death.

Will Blofeld Return In No Time To Die?

One of the biggest mysteries about No Time To Die has been whether or not Christoph Waltz’s arch-nemesis to James Bond, Ernst Stavro Blofeld, will be returning for this new James Bond adventure. There’s been no official confirmation as to whether Blofeld will factor into this new film or not, but not only have rumors persisted that Waltz was spotted on set filming some content, even director Cary Joji Fukunaga has stated that there was potentially room for his comeback. That said, we really don’t know at this point, but will probably find out some time before No Time To Die is released.

The Director (Cary Joji Fukunaga)

Originally, Yesterday mastermind and British film icon Danny Boyle was to direct No Time To Die. But, creative differences led to his departure, and eventually director Cary Joji Fukunaga took over the directing duties. Previously known for directing films like Sin Nombre and Beasts of No Nation, as well as the TV series Maniac, Fukunaga has a taste for seriously offbeat stories that allow the viewer to unfold the mysteries at the center along with the characters on screen. Pair that with Cary Joji Fukunaga’s eye for action, as seen in the first season of HBO’s True Detective, and you’ve got a pretty impressive mix of talents that could serve this story exceedingly well.

James Bond (Daniel Craig)

The legendary superspy created by Ian Fleming through his initial series of books, James Bond has been the subject of 25 films, with six actors playing the role throughout. The most recent actor in the role is Daniel Craig, who since 2006’s Casino Royale has been the cinematic face of 007 in the past four films. No Time To Die is allegedly his final outing in the role, though there’s yet to be total confirmation that this assumption is correct.

Dr. Madeleine Swann (Léa Seydoux)

First seen in 2015’s Spectre, Dr. Madeleine Swann was the daughter of Quantum/Spectre agent Mr. White, and the companion that accompanied Craig’s Bond throughout that previous adventure. At the end of the film, after Bond saved Dr. Swann from the clutches of the villainous Blofeld, the two rode off into the metaphorical sunset with Bond retiring from active service. Her return in No Time To Die raises some questions, especially since franchise history has proven fatal to the women 007 tries to keep in his life after blissful retirement.

M (Ralph Fiennes)

Formerly the chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, Ralph Fiennes’ Gareth Mallory was promoted to the post of M at MI6 after the untimely death of Dame Judi Dench’s version of the character in Skyfall. Returning for a second outing as the head of the British clandestine services, No Time To Die sees the infrastructure of James Bond’s support network remaining pretty intact.

Eve Moneypenny (Naomie Harris)

Also returning to the MI6 cast of characters is Eve, better known as Moneypenny in Spectre, played by Naomie Harris. Traditionally a foil who adds a bit of office-bound flirtation to James Bond’s life, her evolution through the last two films has seen her go from a mere secretary to a vital piece in Bond’s intelligence gathering efforts. Just don’t expect the two of them to ever get too close at the office.

Q (Ben Whishaw)

If M gives Bond guidance, and Moneypenny helps gather intel, then Ben Whishaw’s Q is the person to go to for the right tools of the trade. The gadget master of MI6, Whishaw will be reprising the role he originated as part of the rebooted James Bond franchise in No Time To Die. Much like Naomie Harris’ Moneypenny, Q has been a part of the Bond dream team since 2012’s Skyfall, providing a younger depiction of the, formerly, much older character.

Bill Tanner (Rory Kinnear)

As one of the people who has always stood at the side of MI6’s head honcho, Bill Tanner has been the chief of staff for M in several films reaching back to 1974’s The Man With The Golden Gun. Rory Kinnear’s reprisal of this role in No Time To Die not only sees him continue to maintain his position between two different people heading up MI6, but also makes him the longest recurring actor in the role as he’s played Tanner through all but one of Daniel Craig’s films in the series.

Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright)

Another classic fixture of the 007 mythos, CIA agent Felix Leiter has been counted on as one of James’ most trusted allies when the chips are truly and firmly down. Played by Westworld’s Jeffrey Wright, the character did have a moment where he returned for the franchise’s more modern reboot in 2006’s Casino Royale, as well as 2008’s Quantum of Solace. No Time To Die sees James Bond’s “brother from Langley” returning to bring the legendary character back to life, and Bond back to Her Majesty’s Secret Service, after being absent in the last two 007 adventures.

Nomi/007 (Lashana Lynch)

With James Bond retiring from his 007 callsign in Spectre’s finale, someone had to take the legendary label forward into the future. Enter Nomi, a new intelligence agent played by Captain Marvel’s Lashana Lynch. The latest recipient of the 007 number, she will become one of MI6’s elite operatives that ensure world security, and while she’ll certainly have fun interacting with Bond when No Time To Die calls for the two to team up, she’ll be more immune to his charms than most.

Paloma (Ana de Armas)

It’s uncertain if Ana de Armas’ Paloma will be the kidnapped scientist that Daniel Craig’s James Bond will have to rescue in No Time To Die, or if she’ll play another character in the film’s ultimate plot. However, it wouldn’t be that much of a surprise if the Knives Out and Blade Runner 2049 actor would play a secondary villain that could try to kick Bond’s ass across Europe as he investigates the central villainy at hand.

Waldo (David Dencik)

We’re similarly unsure if the character simply known as Waldo will be a force for good or evil in No Time To Die. However, what we do know is that the role will be played by Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Chernobyl actor David Dencik. Knowing the actor’s range through such works, no matter which side of the coin he falls onto, it’s going to be fantastic to see Dencik interacting with the rest of the No Time To Die cast in either context.

The Villain (Rami Malek)

Last, but not least, Academy Award winner Rami Malek has been cast as No Time To Die’s enigmatic villain. While we don’t have any deeper details as to what he’ll be doing as this film’s antagonist, his casting was one of the most hotly anticipated announcements, as the powers that be really wanted Malek as James Bond’s latest nemesis. With certain conditions surrounding the role met, Rami Malek was brought on board rather quickly, allowing him to antagonize Daniel Craig for what could be his final 007 adventure.

Will No Time To Die Be Daniel Craig’s Final James Bond Movie?

It’s widely been speculated, and pretty much accepted, that Daniel Craig’s time as James Bond would come to an end after he has completed No Time To Die. Not only is this film supposed to wrap up the story started in Skyfall, but, allegedly, getting Craig back for the 25th Bond film was a challenge in and of itself, so it feels like it could be the end.

That being said, there have been recent rumors and interpretations of remarks from Craig, and other key players in the 007 franchise, that suggest there could be at least one more film in the actor’s future. While this is mere speculation, the fact that No Time To Die has three different endings rumored to have been filmed for its finale, lead to the possibility that Daniel Craig might still be deciding what his fate with the franchise will be, meaning that there’s enough leeway for him to take his time to decide.

We’ll have to wait until next April to see what No Time To Die has in store for its audience. In the meantime, you can bookmark this handy guide, and check back often to see what new developments have occurred. And, if you’re interested in seeing what the competition looks like for the film, head over to our 2020 release schedule and see what other films are looking to make April 2020 a blockbuster affair.

The frame is centered and the picture has a vintage tinge – it must be time for another Wes Anderson film! Whispers of the quirky, Oscar-nominated director’s next project have been floating around, and now some official details have now been revealed. Anderson’s next film will be called The French Dispatch and feature an impressive cast of actors – including frequent collaborators Bill Murray, Owen Wilson and Tilda Swinton.

The French Dispatch will be a love letter to journalists and be set in a fictional French city at an American newspaper outpost. The collection of stories published in the titular “French Dispatch” magazine will be brought to life through Wes Anderson’s vision. Fox Searchlight officially announced its acquired rights, along with a 2020 release date.

Benicio Del Toro, Frances McDormand, Adrien Brody, Jeffrey Wright, Léa Seydoux and Timothée Chalamet have each been cast in roles in The French Dispatch. Additionally, French actors Mathieu Amalric (also in Grand Budapest Hotel) and Lyna Khoudri have joined, along with newcomer Stephen Park.

The movie is currently in production and will follow Wes Anderson’s second stop-motion film, Isle of Dogs, released in 2018. Fans of the filmmaker will be excited to hear Bill Murray will continue his streak and once again grace an Anderson film. It’s also no surprise Tilda Swinton and Owen Wilson are amongst the cast. The latter started out as his writing partner and star in his first movie, Bottle Rocket, and has appeared in many of Anderson's movies since then.

The upcoming release certainly marks tons of talented actors in first-time roles with the established filmmaker as well. Benicio Del Toro has yet to work with Wes Anderson between his work Paul Thomas Anderson, Denis Villenueve and so forth. It should be fun to see how Del Toro translates into Anderson’s aesthetic along with The Goldfinch’s Jeffrey Wright and 23-year-old Timothée Chalamet, who will soon be seen in Greta Gerwig’s Little Women and Villenueve’s Dune.

Fans of the filmmaker certainly can expect a certain tone and whimsy going into a Wes Anderson flick. The writer/director is an expert at bringing together ensemble casts and giving them sharp dialogue to work with. The French Dispatch looks like no exception.

The movie will be produced by Wes Anderson, Steven Rales and Jeremy Dawson, a team who previously worked on Isle of Dogs, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Fantastic Mr. Fox and The Darjeeling Limited.

Other big names such as Saoirse Ronan, Elisabeth Moss, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz, Jason Schwartzman and Willem Dafoe have been attached to the cast, but are not among those who have been confirmed by Fox Searchlight.

The studio behind The French Dispatch has an Anderson-esque release coming soon in the form of Taika Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit, which is getting Oscar buzz ahead of its release on October 18.

Besides Daniel Craig's eventual resignation of the mantle 007, the big question surrounding Bond 25 has been who else is returning for the upcoming sequel. The subject has been rather coyly dealt, as most parties would be shy to say anything so far out from its release. Director Cary Joji Fukunaga apparently lacks that shyness though, as he recently told a journalist that not only will Lea Seydoux's Dr. Madeline Swann be coming back, but also Ralph Fiennes's M, Ben Whishaw's Q, and Naomie Harris' Moneypenny.

When explaining why these characters, and their actors, would be coming back, Fukunaga had this to say:

Bringing back Lea Seydoux is a pretty big move, as it's the first time that a female lead character, who isn't M or Moneypenny, has returned in a James Bond film in years. This could be an indication that Bond 25 is a direct follow-up to Spectre, keeping the threaded narrative approach alive in the series. Besides that point, there's another good reason for this extensive of a cast retention.

Cary Joji Fukunaga's statement about keeping the best actors in this canon can't be argued with, particularly when you take into account how some fans may have seen Spectre as a less than ideal follow up to Skyfall. With Bond 25 being the capper to Craig's tenure as James Bond, and a new director shaking things up in the franchise, you're going to want to have as strong a team as you possibly can to support the sequel.

Familiar faces certainly help keep things moving in a series such as the James Bond franchise, and Fukunaga's comments to The Daily Mail partially speaks to that. Though there is still one particular casting card in the deck that remain to be played, as the finale of Spectre left the door open for the return of one particular party that is of notice: Christoph Waltz's Blofeld.

The actor hasn't commented on whether he'll be returning for Bond 25, but given the former tradition of different actors playing the role, his participation is less than guaranteed. Although seeing as Christoph Waltz's rumored departure was bundled into the same dismissal that Cary Joji Fukunaga issued involving Waltz and Ben Whishaw's rumored exits, there's still a chance that we might see his Blofeld again.

And let's not forget, Christoph Waltz knows how to keep a secret, even if it's in plain sight, as he denied he was even playing the part up and down during Spectre's press tour. So if you didn't think that story was interesting enough, you're in luck.

For now, all we know is this: the threads woven in Casino Royale are about to tie together in Bond 25, and a good number of familiar faces look to be joining Daniel Craig in winding that story up properly.

Bond 25 starts shooting early in 2019, with a February 14th, 2020 release date set.

Update: As of May 5, 2019, Gambit has officially been shelved. But! Should things get going again for Gambit, be sure to keep an eye on this space, and CinemaBlend, because we'll have the latest news for you!

Created by Chris Claremont and Jim Lee, the mutant character Gambit was first introduced to Marvel Comics in 1990, and while considered by many to be a controversial character, he certainly has developed his own dedicated fan-base (particularly in thanks to the animated show that began in 1992). With the X-Men franchise expanding, 20th Century Fox has spent years trying to capitalize on this popularity, and now they may actually get to by giving the mutant hero his very own solo movie.

But what's the Gambit film going to be about? Who is it going to star? Who has been put in charge of making it? We answer all of those questions and more in this latest installment of our What We Know So Far guides. Read on and learn!

When Is The Gambit Release Date?

In January of 2015, 20th Century Fox announced a number of big release dates, but one of the most significant was the placement of Gambit - which was pegged for October 7, 2016. This was a big deal, mostly because it looked like the X-Men Cinematic Universe would beat both Marvel Studios and DC Comics/Warner Bros. to the three-movies-per-year punch - releasing both Deadpool and X-Men: Apocalypse in the months before it. Unfortunately, that plan didn't turn out so hot.

Following Deadpool's incredibly successful release in February 2016, 20th Century Fox officially announced that they would be removing Gambit not just from their 2016 release schedule, but their release schedule in general. It's been said that the project is hoping to start up production before the end of 2016, meaning that the film could find its way into theaters some time in the second half of 2017, but it's unclear if that is actually going to happen. For now, the film exists with a giant "TBA" where its release date should be.

What Is The Gambit Rating?

It has not yet been revealed what the rating of Doug Liman's Gambit movie will be, but what's interesting is that there are more possibilities that exist with the project than with most superhero films. While Marvel/Disney and DC Comics/Warner Bros. seem 100% happy continuing to make only PG-13 projects that appeal to mass audiences, the X-Men franchise and 20th Century Fox have been a tad bit more open minded about the potential of more adult-geared fare.

Fox had incredible success with Deadpool in 2016 - the movie actually managing to not just become the highest grossing title in the X-Men franchise, but one of the highest grossing R-rated movies ever released. The crazy box office numbers have already inspired the studio to let director James Mangold make the third and final Wolverine feature with plenty of blood and cursing, so it's entirely possible that they will go the same direction with Gambit. The Cajun hero isn't one who necessarily entirely lends himself to an R-rated feature, but it's not like Fox hasn't made particular alterations to characters before (Gambit not excluded).

Director Troubles

As of August 2016, Gambit has no director signed on to helm the film. That wasn't always the case, though. The film has been through a series of rumored directors and has had two directors sign on to the movie, only to later drop out. Most recently, the announcement that Doug Liman, seen above, had landed the gig arrived through trade reports in November 2015 -- following stories suggesting that he was the frontrunner for the job. The production is currently scrambling to fill the director's chair in the hopes of fulfilling the proposed January 2017 production start date.

Liman may have been calling all the shots for the production of Gambit until recently, but he wasn't always going to be the guy in that position. In fact, for many months it looked like it was going to be Rise of the Planet of the Apes' Rupert Wyatt -- but that fell apart behind the scenes.

To rewind things completely, Gambit was announced for a 2016 release date, but spent many, many months without anybody actually at the helm. It May of 2015 a rumor began to spread around saying that Channing Tatum and 20th Century Fox were reaching out to a number of high profile directors about the possibility of making the blockbuster, but that they repeatedly got turned down. This is a list that included names like Darren Aronofsky, Gareth Evans and J.C. Chandor. It was a few weeks later that Rupert Wyatt entered the picture and signed a deal to direct.

But it was a few months later that the project once again ran into director issues. In September 2015 a trade report revealed that Rupert Wyatt was leaving the production. At the time it was said that there were schedule conflicts, as the filmmaker wanted to start work on other movie and couldn't do both -- but an insider later went on the record saying that "Ambivalence is not a good way to go into an expensive movie" and that Wyatt is a principled filmmaker who was unwilling to work on something unless he could make it live up to his own high standards.

After that, the director search restarted, and while more rumors said that Attack The Block's Joe Cornish and Iron Man 3's Shane Black were on 20th Century Fox's radar, the gig eventually went to Doug Liman, who then backed out in August of 2016 after a series of scriptwriting delays for the movie.

The Story

Gambit was originally being written by screenwriter Joshua Zetumer - the scribe behind the 2014 RoboCop remake -- but since the film got pushed from its 2016 release date, Reid Carolin (Magic Mike) has been taking care of rewrites. While nothing has officially been confirmed about the plot of the film, it's expected to follow certain beats from the titular character's origin story in Marvel comics.

Set to be a part of the growing X-Men Cinematic Universe, the film is expected to follow the young Remy LeBeau as he lives in New Orleans, Louisiana as a key member of the venerable Thieves' Guild. In order to try and create peace between this group and the rivals of the Assassins' Guild, a marriage is organized between Remy and Bella Donna Boudreaux, the granddaughter of the head assassin and a childhood friend of Remy's. Unfortunately, due to certain sour family members, this event winds up going horribly wrong.

At this time it is unknown who will be the central antagonist of the film, but we'll get into that soon.

Gambit

Taking on the role of Remy LeBeau, a.k.a. Gambit, in the Doug Liman-directed superhero movie will be none other than A-lister Channing Tatum... and that casting is really all thanks to long time X-Men franchise producer Lauren Schuler Donner. Back in January of 2014, the filmmaker went on the record saying,

Interestingly enough, Channing Tatum's connections to both the franchise and the character have been around for quite a long time. Back in 2006 when director Brett Ratner was working on making X-Men: The Last Stand, Tatum was one of the actors who was in the running to take on the first live-action version of Gambit. The character was ultimately cut from the script and wasn't featured in the film, but apparently the "Tatum as Gambit" idea stuck around.

In late July 2015, there were reports that circulated saying that certain issues had come up between Channing Tatum and 20th Century Fox regarding his contract. As a result, it was speculated that there was a possibility that he could wind up leaving the project behind and leaving the studio in the position of recasting the lead. This trouble was averted a few days later, however, when it was revealed that the actor had closed a deal.

Channing Tatum's version of Remy LeBeau in Gambit is expected to have his traditional thick Cajun accent -- which the actor claims he can do thanks to his father being from New Orleans - and there's no reason to believe that they will be changing the hero's traditional power set that comes courtesy of his mutation. His primary ability is that he can connect to and channel kinetic energy, and can subsequently use this to charge individual objects. He is particularly known for "charging" playing cards and throwing them around as explosives. Additionally, he is a skilled and acrobatic fighter who uses a bo staff as his primary weapon.

Bella Donna Boudreaux

Bella Donna Boudreaux and Remy LeBeau first met when they were just eight years old, and for the longest time had no clue that they were star-crossed - being from the Assassins' Guild and the Thieves' Guild, respectively. As mentioned earlier, that friendship is eventually transformed when the two are arranged to be married -- though it's a romance that ultimately leads to many tragic events.

Seen pictured above, actress Lea Seydoux will be playing the Gambit heroine, having first been rumored for the role back in July of 2015. According to reports, her closest competition for the role came from Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation's Rebecca Ferguson, and Mad Max: Fury Road's Abbey Lee, but obviously she was able to beat both of them out and get the role. Given the French actress' country of origin, it's expected that she will do just fine with a Cajun accent in Gambit, and her action experience in both Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol and Spectre should serve her well also.

Like Gambit, Bella Donna Boudreaux is also a mutant, though she has a very different power set. She has the ability to not only produce "plasma blasts," but also has the psychic power of astral projection.

The Villain

As alluded to earlier, not much is known about the central antagonist in Gambit mostly because nothing is known about the story, but there is one particular candidate who sticks out as a real possibility and has been hinted at in casting calls: Mr. Sinister. In the comics, Sinister a.k.a. Nathaniel Essex has an interesting encounter with Gambit in his younger years, having once hired the thief to steal diaries from the Weapon X program (also known as the experimental program that created Wolverine). The character has also already been teased in the big screen X-Men universe, specifically in the post-credits sequence of X-Men: Apocalypse.

Mr. Sinister was actually born all the way back in the year 1859, and was a biologist who became completely and utterly obsessed with the ideas of evolution. In particular, he theorized that all of humanity was going through a period of mutation - though he also felt that most of his colleagues were too held back in their experimentation due to their morals. After being rejected by the scientific community, he got into the business of kidnapping homeless people and conducting terrible experiments on them.

Unlike many characters in the X-Men universe, Mr. Sinister isn't actually a mutant, but is instead considered a "mutate" - which is to say that his genes have been scientifically altered to give him special abilities (Deadpool is another example of a mutate). He is incredibly gifted and dangerous, with powers that include telepathy, energy projection, shapeshifting, and immunities. As you can probably tell from his birth year, he can also regenerate, giving him an extended lifespan.

As mentioned, Mr. Sinister hasn't been confirmed to have a role in Gambit, but if he is in the movie there is an award-winning, acclaimed actor who has already thrown his hat into the ring for the gig. In October 2015, Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston mentioned that it was a comic book character that he would be particularly interested in taking on. It's worth noting that Sinister is British in the comics, which would make Cranston an odd choice, but it's hard to imagine him not pulling it off.

Taylor Kitsch

Long before Channing Tatum officially got the green light to be the new big screen version of Gambit in the X-Men franchise, that was a gig that originally belonged to Friday Night Lights star Taylor Kitsch. The actor, who would go on to star in John Carter, played Remy LeBeau in Gavin Hood's X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and is portrayed as being a former prisoner of William Stryker's who managed to escape. He winds up working with Wolverine so that the adamantium-clawed mutant can get back to Stryker's base and destroy it.

While not considered the worst thing in the movie (which was roundly criticized and bashed by fans and professional critics alike), Taylor Kitsch's version of Gambit wasn't exactly beloved -- if not partially because the accent was too soft and the character never got to sport his signature look.

The X-Men franchise can get away with recasting Remy LeBeau, a.k.a. Gambit, thanks to the end of X-Men: Days of Future Past, which wiped the series' entire continuity clean post 1972 -- which is to say everything other than X-Men: First Class, the early scenes of X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Days of Future Past itself. Don't feel too bad for Taylor Kitsch, though, because he wasn't exactly too hurt about Channing Tatum taking the gig for the new solo movie. Asked for his thoughts on the subject in the summer of 2015, Kitsch explained

Basically, he's being a real sport about the whole thing.

I liked Spectre. Sure, it’s no Skyfall, but for 2 hours and 30 minutes it thoroughly entertained me. At the points, when its flaws were painfully obvious, I decided to internally tell myself in the broad Italian American accent that my mind surpisingly adopted, "Fuhgeddaboudit," and enjoyed the blockbuster film in the escapist manner it was intended.

As the countless negative American reviews have revealed, that hasn’t been the case for some critics, with the general consensus being that Spectre is cumbersome and bland. Does this mean that Daniel Craig’s James Bond reboot now needs to be rebooted back to the classic incarnation of yesteryear? At this point, it’s too early to tell. But here are 6 big changes that the Bond franchise could make with Spectre's follow-up that should appease the naysayers. WARNING: They almost certainly won’t stop the complaining, because, sometimes, people are just like that. Oh yeah, and there are also SPOILERS ahead. So don’t read on if you haven't seen Spectre.

New Director

I love Sam Mendes. Not only is his eye the cinematic equivalent of an Andrea Pirlo pass – elegant, beautiful, and he produces things that only he could have both spotted and executed – but if I was shooting a plastic bag floating in the wind and needed someone to make it poignant, almost magical, he’d be my first call. With both Skyfall and Spectre, Mendes has eked out what I consider to be the two most compelling James Bond performances ever. I believe that Daniel Craig needs, needs, needs to bring his Bond to a resolute end that doesn’t end with him living happily ever after. In order to do this, Sam Mendes’ poignant, classy beauty should be replaced by a more rugged and direct filmmaker. I’m thinking Danny Boyle. Just because, well, he’s Danny fucking Boyle.

It Shouldn’t Be Connected To Past James Bond Films

There’s a line close to the end of Spectre where Christoph Waltz’s Blofeld tells Craig’s Bond, "I’ve put you through quite the ringer haven’t I, James?" It made me think, "Has he? Really?" It was obvious that the villain wasn't just talking about the antics of Spectre, because he made it clear that he was the architect of all of the heinous things that have happened to James Bond starting with Casino Royale. But it was impossible for me to be overly impressed with Christoph Waltz’s villainy because Casino Royale was released nine years ago. The fact that Spectre tried to use Casino Royale, Quantum Of Solace, and Skyfall’s villains, as well as the character’s own past, to try and make Blofeld more imposing just didn’t work. And the constant references to these films just felt superfluous. Of course there was another reason why Christoph Walt’s Blofeld wasn't as potent as he could have been…

More Scenes With The Villain

What is it this year with blockbusters and their tepid villains? OK, I admit that when Christoph Waltz was actually on screen he was deliciously and magnetically evil, but there just wasn’t enough of him. Instead, Sam Mendes rather infuriatingly kept him at arm’s length for much of the film. First we got to see his back. Then his face was obscured by the shadows. In fact, even when he originally talked he whispered to his assistant. If Christoph Waltz then featured prominently in Spectre for the rest of the film, that might have been a good introduction, but instead, Bond chased around the world for over an hour looking for clues to track him down. All this meant that Blofeld felt underused. There was yet another issue why audiences had every right to feel aggrieved with Blofeld though…

No More Lying To The Audience

OK, this isn’t just Spectre’s fault. Spectre gets the brunt of my frustration because of the fact that Star Trek: Into Darkness insisted Benedict Cumberbatch wasn’t Khan, only for that to be a downright lie. This was also the case for Christoph Waltz in Spectre, who continually, and at times rather vehemently, denied he was Blofeld, only to end up being Blofeld. Here’s my issue: Why lie? Doing this only has a negative effect on the film. Not only does it suggest that those involved needed to trick their audience to somehow increase their enjoyment, but as soon as you learn that they were lying, you're instantly taken out and lose focus of the film. Especially since you can’t help but tell those around that you always knew they were lying. It’s a sly, idiotic trick that needs to come to an end.

More Gags And Wit, Less Waffle And Heart

Spectre is written by Jez Butterworth, John Logan, Neal Purvis, and Robert Wade, with the latter trio having also penned Skyfall. And you can tell, which is both a good and bad thing. Like its predecessor, Spectre is wonderfully structured and has a flowing rhythm and enjoyable energy that keeps it bouncing along nicely for its entire run time. Unfortunately, Spectre also doesn’t sparkle with wit or humor. Sure, there are gags, they’re just not laugh out loud funny. Instead, they’re the sort you smile at just to be polite. Plus, characters repeatedly use waffling imagery to describe situations, and dialogue regularly goes on for just one line too long. Meanwhile, the fact that Daniel Crag’s James Bond was still lovelorn and seemed to walk away happily ever after with Lea Seydoux’s Dr. Madeline Swann was too heartfelt. Sadly, especially since Seydoux was so magnificent, it was so heartfelt and out of place that I was hoping for an On Her Majesty’s Secret Service type ending to befall Swan. Maybe we’ll get it at the start of the next film.

Time To Look Forward, Not Back

This one’s a little bit harder considering James Bond’s esteemed cinematic history. However, it’s not just directed to the filmmakers, who, in Spectre, failed in their attempt to build a mini-Marvel-esque universe by referencing Casino Royale, Quantum Of Solace, and Skyfall. It’s also aimed at the fans and critics that perennially judge James Bond against his prior films and incarnations. Any slight alteration to the character is instantly seen as the equivalent of a swift kick in the groin. Of course, living up to these comparisons has helped make James Bond so great and what he is today, but it hindered Spectre. Instead of being celebrated for just how gloriously fun and entertaining it is, Spectre has been criticised for not matching the traits of its past. The car, women, gadgets, and villain have all been attacked, which is rather funny since a decade ago the first three were being used as examples as why Bond was obsolete in comparison to Jason Bourne. Despite these insipid traits, Spectre is still a hugely enjoyable film, and as long as James Bond's latest adventure is satisfying, thrilling, and a compelling slice of escapism then it should be celebrated, not chastised for trivial reasons.

If you’ve been following the development of the X-Men spin-off movie Gambit, then you know that it has been in a bit of trouble recently. After taking a surprisingly long time to find a director, the studio finally hired Rupert Wyatt to take the helm this past summer… but then he wound up leaving the ship. As a result of this, there have been many question marks hanging around the production, and we recently got an update on it from star Lea Seydoux. Unfortunately, it looks as though the project is very much in limbo, and currently doesn’t have a start of production penciled in on the calendar.

I had the chance to talk with the French actress this past weekend while down in Mexico City for the Spectre press junket. While she was paired with her James Bond co-star Monica Bellucci, I took the opportunity to ask her about the current status of Gambit, and her response was paired with a very appropriate hand shrug and smile:

You can watch Lea Seydoux’s response in the video below, which also includes her quick response to my follow-up question about if there was a start of production scheduled:

Not having a start of production scheduled is certainly troubling news for Gambit - which was announced for an October 7, 2016 release date back in January of this year. In case you didn’t notice, that means that the film is now supposed to be less than a year away, and given that not a single frame has been shot, that means that means that the blockbuster production isn’t going to have a ton of time to actually get made if it wants to stay on its current schedule. After this update from Lea Seydoux, it’s pretty fair to assume that the next step for the project will be pushing the theatrical release to 2017.

In Gambit, Seydoux will be starring opposite Channing Tatum as Bella Donna Boudreaux, a childhood friend of the titular character and the daughter of the leader of the Assassins Guild (making her a touch star-crossed with Gambit – the son of the leader of the Thieves Guild). Eventually it’s decided by both houses that Gambit and Bella Donna should be married to usher in a peace between the clans, but without giving too much away, this doesn’t exactly goes as planned.

Stay tuned not only for more updates about Gambit, but also more from my interviews with the cast of Spectre - which arrives in theaters this Friday, November 6th.

The James Bond movie franchise is now more than 50 years old, but age is in no way slowing it down. The great spy series is as popular as it ever was, and anticipation for espionage adventure is at an extreme high thanks to the forthcoming release of Spectre. The brilliant and daring 007 is ready to go toe-to-toe with his greatest nemeses, and we’re excited for every moment.

You can get a taste of what to expect with the final trailer embedded below:

So what is the new James Bond movie about? Who is making it? What are returning characters up to, and what can we expect from the series’ new faces? We’ve broken all of that down in our What We Know So Far guide below!

The Story

MGM, Eon Productions and Sony seem to have a lot of confidence in the work of John Logan, Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, as they have brought them back for another round of James Bond storytelling (the second for Logan, and the sixth for the team of Purvis and Wade). The movie will begin with a big action sequence set during the Day of the Dead in Mexico City, but it will see things go seriously rough for Daniel Craig’s 007. It’s after this incident that he receives a cryptic message from a former associate that puts him on the path of a sinister organization: Spectre. We once again are in store for another globe-trotting adventure, as various clues and action sequences will take Bond to places like Austria, Italy and Morocco.

The Director

There's a long tradition of filmmakers taking the helm of more than one James Bond movie (a total of 12 directors have helmed the previous 23 installments), and Sam Mendes will be a part of that tradition with Spectre. With Skyfall, the man crafted one of the most beautiful and well-executed action movies of recent memory, so it was a surprise to very few that producers Barbra Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson reached out to him. It wasn’t a total slam dunk that he would return just a few months after his last 007 film’s release, but he’s been officially at the helm since July 2013

James Bond

Daniel Craig has now been playing James Bond for nearly a decade, and in that time we’ve seen the character go from first getting his 007 status to becoming a weathered and tired veteran. The events of Skyfall nearly pushed him to his end, but nobody ever expects the great super spy to ever give up his job protecting queen and country. Given the way things go in Mexico City, and what we’ve seen in footage, it doesn’t sound like the film will feature him having the greatest relationship with MI6, but that certainly won’t stop Bond from trying to protect it and the entire world. And while many have continued to wonder who could potentially replace Craig as the next incarnation of the hero, it doesn’t look like Spectre will be his last go-round, as he still has one more feature left on his studio contract.

Franz Oberhauser

We have been kept very much in the dark when it comes to details about Christoph Waltz’s role as Franz Oberhauser in Spectre, but as far as we can tell, he definitely isn’t Ernst Stavro Blofeld. Footage that we’ve seen and comments made from people involved with the production have suggested that the guy is the head of the movie’s titular evil organization, and apparently he has deep ties to James Bond’s past (describing himself as the author of all the hero’s pain). It also seems that he’s been lurking around in the shadows for as long as we’ve known Daniel Craig’s version of 007, but has kept hidden from site and just out of reach. As a result of this, we’re just fascinated to learn what his ultimate plan is for the super spy.

M

Skyfall saw the end come to a particular era, as Judi Dench concluded her time as M after a seven film and 17 year-long run. The end of the film also saw the esteemed mantle – representing the head of MI6 - passed on to Ralph Fiennes’ Gareth Mallory, who will now be in charge of sending Daniel Craig’s James Bond around the world to stop terror. Unfortunately, things kind of get off to a rocky start in Spectre. Not only does Bond wind up going rogue and orchestrate some kind of international incident in Mexico City, but M must also battle political forces that are working to try and close the espionage agency’s doors forever.

Eve Moneypenny

The name of Naomi Harris’ character was kept a mystery for most of Skyfall, but it was in the movie’s final moments that it was revealed that she actually plays a very key role in the history of the James Bond franchise. A part originated by actress Lois Maxwell – who starred in 15 different Bond movies during her career – Eve Moneypenny was first introduced as 007’s personal assistant, but you should expect her just to be sitting behind a desk in Spectre. Discussing the character during the production earlier this year, producer Barbara Broccoli described, "This Moneypenny is very active. She is key to the story and key to helping Bond on his mission." We’re still waiting on the "how," but that’s probably something that we won’t learn until we’re actually watching the movie.

Q

Daniel Craig’s James Bond went through two full movies without having anyone committed to outfitting him with awesome gadgets, but fortunately that’s a problem that was fixed in Sam Mendes’ Skyfall. Actor Ben Whishaw brought back the role classically played by the great Desmond Llewelyn, and he’ll be back to his old tricks in Spectre. Thus far, trailers have only revealed one new toy that 007 will get to play with – a super sleek new car – but we fully expect that the film will have plenty of surprises in store for that department. I personally have my fingers crossed for at least one thing that comes out of the super spy’s watch.

Mr. Hinx

James Bond has faced off with many notable villains over the years, but one could make the argument that some of the evil henchmen he’s gone toe-to-toe with are even more memorable. In the tradition of characters like Richard Kiel’s Jaws and Harold Sakata’s Oddjob, Spectre will introduce audiences to Dave Bautista’s Mr. Hinx. The actor has described his role being a mix of both brains and brawn, and footage from trailers have suggested that he will be a very capable adversary for Bond. The only thing we don’t really know at this point is exactly what his special kind of hook will be. He doesn’t have metal teeth, and throwing that hat probably wouldn’t be very effective, so what could it be?

Madeleine Swann

When it comes to Lea Seydoux’s character in Spectre, we know she is named Madeleine Swann, we know that she’s a doctor… and that’s pretty much it. Trailers have suggested that she has information that James Bond needs about the eponymous terrorist organization, but what hasn’t been made immediately clear is whether she is playing for the good guys, playing for the bad guys, or pretending to play for the good guys while playing for the bad guys, or vice versa. Either way, the actress is another member of this cast joining an incredible legacy – specifically the legacy of "Bond Girls" – and it’s a place in cinema history she will share with…

Lucia Sciarra

Monica Bellucci will be joining Lea Seydoux as Spectre’s second Bond Girl, Lucia Sciarra, but one could say that we actually know even less about her role. Every image we’ve seen of her, including the one above, shows her as a woman grieving the death of her husband – though the cast and filmmakers also haven’t been subtle about the idea of her being just a tad bit mysterious and holding on to one or two secrets. How will she wind up fitting into the film’s larger plot? That seems to be a card that the production is playing close to the chest, and won’t have an answer until early November.

Mr. White

After being established as a recurring villain, featured in both Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, Jesper Christensen’s Mr. White took a hiatus while the events of Skyfall played out – but the shady bad guy is back in action in Spectre. When we last saw him, he was escaping from James Bond after being captured and thrown in the trunk of a car – but from everything we’ve seen, it doesn’t look like he held on to freedom for very long. Footage and stills have suggested that the past few years have been super rough for him, and Bond probably had a pretty key hand in making sure of that (White was, after all, directly involved in the death of Eva Green’s Vesper Lynd). We can presume that he has very strong ties to the goings on at Spectre, and should be a pretty rich source of information for 007, provided that he cooperates.

The Theme Song

During his run as James Bond, Daniel Craig has been backed by some truly impressive singers and musicians performing the new theme song, as Chris Cornell, Jack White, Alicia Keys and Adele all brought special little touches to their incarnations. Given the prestigious honor for Spectre is British crooner Sam Smith, who also wrote and produced the song alongside Jimmy Napes. You can give it a listen in the embed below:

The song has been criticized for being slow and lifeless, but at the very least we can hope that it will A) wind up being better in the context of the movie, and B) be backed by a sleek, cool opening credits sequence.

That’s all we know about Spectre so far, but stay turned for more updates to this guide, and get ready for the next amazing James Bond adventure to hit theaters on November 6th.

It’s common for people to have an alcoholic beverage — or eight — to calm the nerves before a high-pressure situation. But for Lea Seydoux, it nearly ruined the biggest moment of her career. The Blue Is the Warmest Color actress portrays Madeleine Swann in the new James Bond movie Spectre, but she could’ve easily lost the role thanks to that beer she had before her audition.

While visiting the Mexico City set of Spectre earlier this year, I caught up with Seydoux about her role. Though she still couldn’t reveal much about the character, she did reveal how non-traditional her audition was. She first explained,

Auditioning for a major female role in one of the most popular and beloved movie franchises of all time is a pretty uncomfortable feeling. We definitely understand that. So, she decided to calm her nerves, and that’s when things went down hill.

As Jamie Foxx and T-Pain famously said, "Blame It On the Alcohol." Watch the full clip below.

When it comes to prospective Bond Girls, there seems to be a tradition of auditioning for the role by reading the script from a previous Bond Girl. Naomie Harris, who plays Moneypenny in the Daniel Craig-led films, told press that she read Eva Green’s part from Casino Royale. The same was true for Seydoux, who told me she read Harris’ part for her Spectre audition.

Funny enough, Spectre was so secretive even from the actors’ standpoint that Seydoux took on the role without reading a script or knowing exactly who she was playing. She said,

Even at the time we spoke, which was towards the beginning of filming, Seydoux didn’t know how to fully describe her character. She did, however, reveal that Swann is a doctor, she’s "more complex," and "she’s equal to Bond." Lea Seydoux is joined by cast members Christoph Waltz, Dave Bautista, Monica Belluci, Andrew Scott, Rory Kinnear, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw, Stephanie Sigman, Naomie Harris, and, of course, Daniel Craig.

Spectre will hit theaters on November 6. Stay tuned for more coverage from the set as it rolls out. And be sure to celebrate Global James Bond Day today, Oct. 5, as it is the anniversary of the theatrical release of Dr. No, the first James Bond film.

Undercover agents have been all the rage this year on the silver screen, whether they have been men from U.N.C.L.E., Kingsmen, or a dude on an impossible mission. So, where are the ladies? This is the right time to bring back Charlie’s Angels, and Pitch Perfect 2 director Elizabeth Banks may be the ideal candidate for the gig.

But who would Banks cast as the next generation of Angels? The last time we saw the ass-kicking ladies on screen, they were personified by Cameron Diaz, Lucy Liu and Drew Barrymore. Even though Barrymore recently confided plans for a potential third movie, this franchise reset likely would look for fresh faces to fill its titular trio. We went ahead and picked 9 beautiful and talented actresses who we think would have the chemistry, the comedic chops and the action background needed to play one of Charlie’s Angels. Who did we miss? Let us know in the comments section, but these are our best choices:

Zoe Saldana

Based on both the original television show and the two McG movies, Charlie’s three Angels need to have specific qualities if they are going to fly. They need to be attractive. They need to be resilient. They need to be intelligent. And they need to be funny. Saldana has ticked off all of those boxes in big-budget fare ranging from Guardians of the Galaxy and Star Trek to The Losers and Colombiana. Her Avatar commitments might keep her from signing on, but I think I’d rather see her in an Angels adventure then in more Pandora excursions.

Olivia Munn

Prior to Olivia Munn being cast as Psylocke in X-Men: Apocalypse, I’m not sure her name would have popped to mind for an action/comedy hybrid I’m assuming Charlie’s Angels will be (especially if Elizabeth Banks directs, as is rumored). Her ninja training videos have changed my mind, though. Plus, Munn has the right sense of humor to make cheeky material like Angels palatable. A lot of this will depend on who she’d be able to play off of, but I think Munn would bring an attitude and a physicality that the new Angels series could build on.

Lea Seydoux

A little international flavor for these new Angels. Lea Seydoux is an alluring French actress who has turned heads in provocative movies like The Lobster, Inglourious Basterds and Blue if the Warmest Color. But she’s no stranger to popcorn Hollywood fare, having appeared in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (where she battled with another lady on our wish list) and an upcoming James Bond thriller. That experience would prove invaluable if Sony and Banks wanted Seydoux to try her hand at being an Angel. Plus, we’d love to see a lighter side to this stunning actress… if there is one.

Rinko Kikuchi

Here’s a potential silver lining to Guillermo del Toro’s Pacific Rim 2 being shelved indefinitely. Rinko Kikuchi can now become one of Charlie’s Angels! Those who caught the versatile actress in Pacific Rim know she can handle herself in fight sequences (look at her training photo above). Meanwhile, Rian Johnson tapped into her comedic talents in The Brothers Bloom. She’d be a welcome addition to a new Angels trilogy, which would introduce her to a wider global audience. Win win.

Paula Patton

Remember all of those things I said earlier? The qualities an Angel must possess? Looks. Intelligence. Humor. Paula Patton has all of this in spades. The one thing the actress has yet to add to her impressive resume, though, is a franchise. She has been a part of Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible films – going toe-to-toe with Lea Seydoux in Ghost Protocol. But she deserves more, and Sony could do well to recruit her to a multi-picture contract for Charlie’s before Marvel or Star Wars swoops down and finds the right role for her.

Megan Fox

Can someone rescue Megan Fox from shitty franchise Hell? It’s not enough that the poor girl had to do multiple Transformers movies? We’re now punishing her by sticking her in numerous Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles adventures? Who is her agent?! Fox is beautiful, and often proves that she’s in on the joke, not the butt of it. She absolutely can handle her own in action, and would bring that spunky Kate Jackson tone to a new Angels gathering. Also, working with a female director like Elizabeth Banks might help bring out a different side of Fox (and not the sensual side that male directors rush to highlight).

Jordana Brewster

When Furious 7 retired Paul Walker’s character, Brian, it basically attached Jordana Brewster’s character to his fate. I’d be stunned if Mia (Brewster) showed up in Fast 8, so the timing is perfect for Brewster to break free of her signature series and join a new one. Because she has been overshadowed by the larger than life action heroes of the Furious world, I’m not entirely sure if Brewster is funny enough, smart enough or skilled enough to contribute to a Charlie’s Angels franchise. But I’m more than willing to find out.

Scarlett Johansson

Here’s where we start to reach with our wish list, though not too far out of the realm of possibility. Remember, Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu were established stars when they appeared on screen in Charlie’s Angels (though not as big as ScarJo). Still, if Johansson wanted to distance herself from Marvel and anchor a franchise of her own – while also supporting Grrrl Power femininity on the big screen – this could be the ideal series for her goals. We know she can kick ass. We know that she’s funny. She’d be a dream candidate. Could Sony convince her to give it a try?

Jennifer Lawrence

Why not reach for the stars, right? Jennifer Lawrence has had two major franchises eating out of the palm of her Oscar-winning hand. But here’s the thing. Both are drawing to a close (if the rumors that X-Men: Apocalypse Is her final turn as Mystique). We know that she entertained the thought of becoming a Ghostbuster for Paul Feig. And she needs a franchise that taps into her obvious sense of humor. Angels sums up everything that Jennifer Lawrence specializes in (though, in truth, she basically specializes in everything). Landing J-Law as an Angel immediately elevates this reboot to blockbuster status. If we wish hard enough, do we think it might come true?

This poll is no longer available.

In anticipation of the Spectre’s November release, the marketing campaign has stepped up their game, releasing a new poster that will surely excite James Bond fans from all generations.

Released by the official James Bond Twitter account, the poster depicts Daniel Craig’s 007 standing front and center, adorned in an impeccable white tux, and wielding his always-loaded Walther PPK – replete with silencer. Pinned to his jacked is a black rose, possibly symbolic of the idea that death will play a major role in Spectre, and that Bond is still coping with the losses he suffered in his last outing, Skyfall. At his back is the gorgeous new Bond girl Madeleine Swann – portrayed by Lea Seydoux, most notable for her femme fatale performance in 2011’s Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol – and in the background is an ominous image of a man in a skull mask and bowler hat. It may be a new actor and a high definition photograph, but if someone from the 1960's saw this poster, they would most certainly know that Spectre is a 007 adventure.

Despite all of the exploration of the 007 mythos in Daniel Craig’s last few outings, the poster for the upcoming Spectre seems to indicate a return to form – at least stylistically. The image of Bond standing in his white tux, casually holding his signature weapon invokes numerous – and all equally famous – images of the Sean Connery’s 007 from the 1960’s.

Although there are no confirmed plot connections of any sort, the ominous skull visage in the background also harkens back to the villain Baron Samedi from Roger Moore’s Live and Let Die, while the bowler hat atop its head instantly reminds us of the iconic henchman Oddjob. This figure could possibly be revealed as a disguised Mr. Hinx (Dave Bautista) arguably the first henchman faced by Daniel Craig’s 007 who embodies the outlandish nature of the franchise’s past right hand men.

The Daniel Craig era took the James Bond franchise in a decidedly new, modern direction when Casino Royale hit theaters back in 2006. His iteration of the iconic British secret agent has tackled much darker tones, and generally delved much deeper into the emotional and psychological state of the hero. Skyfall even gave audiences a rare glimpse into Bond’s childhood – something that Spectre will expand on, based on what we can glean from the trailer.

There has been a great deal of controversy surrounding the Bond franchise in recent weeks. Former 007 Pierce Brosnan openly stated that he supports the possibility of a gay James Bond at some point in the near future, while writer Anthony Horowitz made headlines when he declared that black actor Idris Elba was "too street" for the role. If Daniel Craig’s tenure as the suave, martini-drinking spy has taught us anything, it’s that while the franchise may evolve over time, it will never forget its roots that began all the way back in 1962.

From an outsider's perspective, it seems like Rupert Wyatt's Gambit really needs to get a move-on, as it should be starting production soon but has yet to put some key pieces in place. The good news is that today it seems that the project may soon be getting one step closer towards being a reality, as it appears that Lea Seydoux has been offered the movie's lead female role.

It was back in late July that we first heard Seydoux's name mentioned in connection with the part of Belladonna Boudreaux - heir to the head of the Assassins Guild - but today Deadline is reporting that 20th Century Fox has extended an offer to the actress. According to reports, the French star's closest competition for the role included Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation's Rebecca Ferguson, and Mad Max: Fury Road's Abbey Lee - but the competition became less intense late last week when Ferguson dropped out of consideration (instead joining The Girl On The Train with Emily Blunt). Presumably the folks behind the production spent the weekend trying to make a choice, and it seems that today they made one.

Should she accept the job, Lea Seydoux will be only the second actor to sign on to the project after Channing Tatum (who is playing the movie's titular card-throwing, staff-wielding mutant). While she is primarily known for her work back in France, such as Blue Is The Warmest Color, she has gotten a taste of Hollywood blockbusters with roles in films like Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol and the upcoming James Bond adventure Spectre. She's going to need to hone her action star skills to star in Gambit, but she's already demonstrated a good amount of ass-kicking ability.

In the comics, Belladonna Boudreaux a.k.a. Bella is a childhood friend of Gambit's, though they are a touched star-crossed due to his relationship to the Thieves Guild (rival of the Assassins Guild). When they are older, it is decided that the two should marry in an attempt to create peace, but the proceedings are interrupted by certain parties and the whole thing ends in tragedy and banishment. At this time, there are very few details available about the plot of the film, but it wouldn't be surprising in the slightest to see a story similar to this play out in live-action.

I personally love the choice of Lea Seydoux for this part. The character should have a natural Cajun accent, and while her natural speech isn't 100 percent there, she's more than halfway there with her French background. Plus, she also happens to be a very talented actress, and if the script is up to snuff she could deliver a fantastic performance.

Gambit will be in theaters October 7, 2016.

Now that Channing Tatum is officially locked in to play the titular role of Rupert Wyatt's Gambit, the production can start looking at actresses who can play opposite the star as the female lead. According to new reports, the film has not yet zeroed in on exactly who should get the part, but it seems as though three frontrunners have emerged.

Deadline is reporting that testing is schedued to begin next week for the role of Belladonna Boudreaux a.k.a. Bella in Gambit, and that there is a trio of actresses who will be trying to prove that they have what it takes to get the role. So who are these lovely ladies? We break down the report below:

Let's start by discussing the actress that we've actually already heard whispers about. At the exact same time stories began to leak about Channing Tatum's possible departure from Gambit, it was also reported that French actress Lea Seydoux was being considered by 20th Century Fox for what was then an unknown female lead in the feature. As we noted at that time, she doesn't have an extensive Hollywood resume to this point in her career (instead best known for French films like Blue is the Warmest Color), but she does have some blockbuster experience thanks to her villainous turn in Brad Bird's Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, and her part in the upcoming James Bond adventure Spectre.

Weirdly enough, the second candidate on this is also an actress from the Mission: Impossible franchise - though she's been dropping our jaws more recently than Seydoux. Rebecca Ferguson has been receiving rave reviews for her badass performance in Christopher McQuarrie's Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation, and now it looks as though the Swedish actress may find herself taking on her first comic book movie role. It's unknown at this time if she can pull off a French/Cajun accent... but the same is also true for the next name on the list.

Most of us were only first introduced to Australian actress Abbey Lee earlier this summer, thanks to her role as The Dag in George Miller's mind-blowing Mad Max: Fury Road, but already she is finding her name on shortlists for some of the biggest gigs in town. She's been very busy of late, starring in both Nicholas Winding-Refn's The Neon Demon, and Alex Proyas' Gods of Egypt, but the female lead in Gambit would unquestionably be her biggest role to date.

In the comics, Belladonna Boudreaux was a childhood friend of Gambit's, who was arranged to be married to him in an attempt to unite both the Thieves Guild (of which Gambit was a part), and the Assassins Guild (of which Belladonna was a part). Unfortunately, this whole situation doesn't work out too well, but I'll let the movie tell its own story when its released. Of these actresses, who would you like to see get the role in the Rupert Wyatt-directed feature? Hit the comments with your thoughts.

A few months back, Cinema Blend accompanied hordes of other journalists to infiltrate the set of the new James Bond movie, Spectre. But even then the secrets of the plot and new characters were locked up tight within MI6. With a new trailer dropping tomorrow, however, new details have emerged to shed some light on the (count 'em) four Bond girls playing opposite Daniel Craig.

Lea Seydoux of Blue Is the Warmest Color, Italian actress Monica Belluci, Mexican starlet Stephanie Sigman, and Skyfall's Naomie Harris are the women of Spectre. We've only known their character names for the past few months, but USA Today has uncovered some secrets hiding behind their mysterious eyes.

First up is Seydoux's Madeleine Swann, not to be confused with the Mad TV character with a similarly spelled name. She's described as "the doctor daughter of an assassin," and her first abrupt encounter with 007 takes place at her Austrian clinic. It should't come as a shocker that there is a spark between her and the international man of mystery, but even though it's he who comes to seek her out, she wants nothing to do with him. Sony and MGM previously released a behind-the-scenes video from the set of Spectre and it revealed a sequence in the Austrian Alps. Perhaps this is the location of Swann's clinic, though the footage also revealed some gunplay and the presence of Dave Bautista's Mr. Hinx, which can't be good for her patients.

Next on the list is Belluci's Lucia Sciarra. The actress's role in Spectre earned a bit of buzz when she was first announced, as Belluci marks a change in the Bond girl trend. In other words, 007 is dating someone age-appropriate. Sciarra becomes a widow after her Mafiosa husband is murdered. Said husband is the same man featured in the opening sequence of the film. While on the set, we saw Bond chasing him through the streets of Mexico City during a Day of the Dead celebration. Bond comes to her for information, and when she realizes the attraction between them and her feminine power over the agent, she believes he can prevent her from meeting her former husband’s fate.

The third newbie joining the cast is Sigman’s Estrella. While the actress wouldn’t go into detail about her character, other than to say she shares the same joyous personality as herself, we already know some information. A rep for Spectre told us a while back that she’s involved in the film’s opening, which sees Bond seemingly heading back to her hotel room for some sexy time, but really he’s just using this opportunity to get a better view of the baddies he’s tracking down in Mexico City.

Last but not least is Harris’s Moneypenny. After nearly killing her former partner in the field, Spectre will see the character supporting Bond in a different way. According to the actress, she’s more grounded and mature in this regard, but producer Barbara Broccoli told us on the set that there’s no keeping her behind a desk for long.

Spectre hits theaters on November 6, and check back tomorrow for the new trailer.

James Bond has proven himself comfortable in just about every action-heavy/dangerous situation, and that most certainly includes skiing. We've seen many 007s hit the slopes over the years, and looking at these beautiful new official Spectre images, it appears that Daniel Craig will be soon be joining those ranks.

Post by James Bond 007.

With Spectre currently in production, the official James Bond Facebook page has posted a series of new photos from the set, capturing the cast as they visit the Austrian ski resort of Sölde. It wasn't just Daniel Craig's Bond who was on hand, however. The gallery also featured pictures of Léa Seydoux, who is playing the new Bond girl Madeleine Swann in the movie:

Post by James Bond 007.

And also Dave Bautista, who is playing Hinx (a henchman character who is said to be in the tradition of Jaws and Oddjob)

Post by James Bond 007.

It's perhaps a bit presumptuous to assume that these great looking pictures suggest that Spectre will feature a skiing sequence, but I honestly hope it does. While it's true that Sean Connery's incarnation of the character didn't have the chance to do battle on skis during his tenure, every other Bond since has done it - including George Lazenby (On Her Majesty’s Secret Service), Roger Moore (The Spy Who Loved Me, For Your Eyes Only, A View To A Kill), Timothy Dalton (The Living Daylights) and Pierce Brosnan (The World is Not Enough). Given how Skyfall did such a great job playing with the traditions of the 007 franchise, I kind of expect that to return in Spectre, and that could very well happen in the form a of a snow-filled action scene.

Austria is just one of the many international locations that the Spectre production will be visiting over the next few months, as it was confirmed a few months ago that there will also be filming done on location in Rome and Morocco. Beyond that, the rest of the shooting will be done at Pinewood Studios in England - which just saw the departure of Star Wars: The Force Awakens a couple months ago. The film, which also stars Christoph Waltz, Ralph Fiennes, Monica Bellucci, Ben Whishaw, and Naomie Harris, will be in theaters on November 6, 2015.

If I told you, around this time last year, that the chubby, goofball, shoe-shine dude from NBC’s Parks and Recreation was going to be the biggest star of 2014, you would have laughed me off of the Internet. And yet, here we are in December, listing all of the reasons why Chris Pratt is the new shining star in Hollywood, thanks to outstanding contributions to The LEGO Movie, Guardians of the Galaxy, next summer’s Jurassic World and beyond.

Who will be the new Chris Pratt? Who will be the powerful celebrity who – come next December – will be on the tips of every tongue because of work they did in 2015? We looked ahead to the biggest projects on the horizon, and tried to single out stars who’d receive a massive boost. Here are the 10 actors we’ll likely all know by the end of 2015.

Dakota Johnson

Exposing yourself on screen is one sure-fire way to gain public exposure, and Dakota Johnson is ready to flaunt her stuff – literally – in the anticipated adaptation of E.L. James’ Fifty Shades of Grey. Starring in the sure-to-be-steamy February release likely will boost Johnson’s hunky co-star, Jamie Dornan, as well. But Johnson already has established herself as an "Oh yeah, THAT girl" with memorable turns in 21 Jump Street and The Social Network. Baring it all in Fifty Shades will gain her recognition. Delivering an open-hearted performance as Anastasia Steela, though, could give her career some staying power.

Ezra Miller

Ezra Miller has been on our radar ever since he effortlessly held court with Tilda Swinton and John C. Reilly in the creepy, disturbing We Need to Talk About Kevin. When he completely changed gears to play an effervescent teenage troublemaker in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, it was clear that Miller was more than your average actor. This year, he’s poised to break out, with a role in Judd Apatow’s comedy Trainwreck, and the drama-thriller The Stanford Prison Experiment. Oh yeah, and he was cast as The Flash in DC’s panned feature film for 2018, and the more we hear about that developing universe, the brighter Miller’s star is bound to shine.

John Boyega

The Star Wars Effect. It will play a major part in the formation of this list, as it’s expected that J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: The Force Awakens will turn its young co-stars into global icons… in much the same way that the original Star Wars helped Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill. John Boyega earned headlines simply by being the first face shown in that fantastic The Force Awakens trailer. But the Attack the Block and 24 star has proven he has real screen presence, and will likely cultivate his image as the year progresses.

Jack O’Connell

Young Brit Jack O’Connell currently is riding a wave in a career-making role as WWII survivor Louis Zamperini in Angelina Jolie’s Unbroken. The movie is off to a strong start at the box office, and an awards campaign can only boost his presence. But O’Connell is high on this list because his name frequently is associated with big tentpoles, as if Hollywood’s trying to figure out how best to use him. He almost had roles in Transformers: Age of Extinction and Star Wars: The Force Awakens. I’m thinking, in 2015, he lands a significant part in a massive franchise, solidifying him as a major star.

Levi Miller

This one hinges on Joe Wright’s Pan being a breakout hit, something I’m counting on come July. After all, it stars Hugh Jackman and Rooney Mara in a reimagining of the classic Peter Pan narrative, and it all centers on young newcomer Levi Miller – who Wright cast as Peter Pan. There has to be a reason Wright hung his tinkerbells on this charismatic, fresh-faced young actor. The first trailer for Pan suggested a wondrous, imaginative adventure for the whole family. And since Warner has franchise plans for this universe, expect to hear Levi Miller’s name a lot… if the movie connects with a large enough audience.

Gal Gadot

Another entry, and another actor we expect to get a huge boost from an involvement in the expanding DC Cinematic Universe. Gal Gadot will be the "third leg" in the Batman v Superman epic, playing Wonder Woman in Zack Snyder’s 2016 superhero blockbuster. Yes, I did say 2016. But this year, especially at San Diego Comic-Con, I expect Warner Bros. to reveal more details about their plan for this universe, and that will place even more emphasis on Gadot’s role as Diana. Life-changing things are coming for this beautiful Israeli actress, and 2015 will be a massive year.

Lea Seydoux

Becoming a "Bond Girl" basically solidifies your status as global superstar. For a while, the franchise leaned heavily on pre-established stars, handing Bond Girl roles to existing celebs like Halle Berry, Denise Richards and Tanya Roberts, to name just a few. The Daniel Craig era has been looking for relatively unknown beauties, and found one for Skyfall in Lea Seydoux. The French starlet won awards for her part in Blue Is The Warmest Color, but has participated in such Hollywood blockbusters as Inglourious Basterds and Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. Expect her to become a household name if Sam Mendes’ Spectre is half as entertaining as his Skyfall.

Ty Simpkins

Ty Simpkins is only 13, and he already has had to endure some difficult co-stars. There were angry spirits in Insidious (as well as its sequel), aliens in Steven Spielberg’s War of the Worlds reboot, and Robert Downey Jr. in Iron Man 3. This year, the scenery shared by Simpkins will be chewed by digital dinosaurs when the young actor takes a part in Jurassic World. And while Chris Pratt and the killer beasts should dominate the landscape, we hear that the story leans heavily on young Simpkins and his older brother, played by Nick Robinson. Breakout roles? We’re willing to wager.

Britt Robertson

Britt Robertson (Under the Dome) is on the verge of stardom, and Tomorrowland likely will push her over. Brad Bird’s sci-fi adventure is high on our list of must-see movies this year, partly for the Mystery Box nature of the story. But when the film’s first trailer came out, the emphasis was on Robertson’s troublesome teenager, and now we need to know how she fits into this sprawling narrative. She has to share the screen with George Clooney, Hugh Laurie, and Bird’s own imagination. But we’re willing to bet she emerges from this movie as the star to watch, with casting directors lining up to put her in their next big project.

Daisy Ridley

Will Daisy Ridley’s Star Wars character, Rey, be beloved like Princess Leia, or largely forgotten, like Padme Amidala? The next chapter in the ongoing Star Wars saga could go a long way toward making or breaking this upcoming star’s career. Will she become the next Harrison Ford, building on Star Wars but breaking out to become one of industry’s most-versatile actors? Or is Ridley the next Jake Lloyd, doomed to the fan-festival circuit to sign autographs and answer questions about all of her The Force Awakens scenes? Either way, there’s no doubt that the world will know Daisy Ridley after J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars movie comes out… and we’re hoping it’s for all of the right reasons!

Lea Seydoux has been cast as the new Bond girl opposite Daniel Craig in Sam Mendes’ upcoming 24th instalment to the beloved franchise, which is set to begin filming in around six weeks time. Obviously, at this point, not too much else is known about her character, but some reports have described her as a "femme fatale," which suggests that her mischievous activities will cause 007 all kinds of bother.

According to the Daily Mail, the next few weeks will see Seydoux undertake a number of costume, make-up and camera tests alongside the series’ long-term producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson as well as Mendes, who is helming his second Bond film after 2012’s Skyfall. This will allow the quartet to determine her specific "look" for the film before the Parisian born actress meets up with her fellow acting ensemble, which includes Daniel Craig, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw, and Naomie Harris, to rehearse the script for the first time towards the end of November.

Lea Seydoux is set to bring her own specific acting qualities to Bond 24, and I believe that, if she’s utilized correctly, she could combine the Bond girl of the '60s and '70s with a more modern take on the character. In Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, she provided an intense menace that, for the most part, had Tom Cruise and Jeremy Renner back-peddling, but despite her threat there was always an earthy sexiness to her that still managed to appeal. I just realized how creepy the last part of that sentence kind of sounded but I’m going to stick to it. You can check out a clip of her in the blockbuster below:

Meanwhile even though she only had minor roles in the likes of The Grand Budapest Hotel, Midnight In Paris, Inglorious Basterds, and Robin Hood, she still managed to grab your attention thanks to her soulful face, which allowed her to project a nuanced complexity simply with a look or a gaze.

But of course, Lea Seydoux’s finest on-screen effort so far in her short, yet rather impressive, career came with Blue Is The Warmest Color, which won the 2013 Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Despite her best efforts not to be (the blue-hair was kind of a turn-off), Seydoux still managed to glow throughout the erotic romantic drama. Her portrayal went deeper than that, as she was able to emanate a series of complex emotions, that are part and parcel of every single relationship, with ease. They systematically combined to help make a truly delightful symphony of cinema that she was at the heart of. Simply put, without Lea Seydoux and her co-star, Adele Exarchopoulos, the film would have deflated under its 3-hour running time. Instead, their perfectly pitched performances managed to make it go by as if it were a breeze.

But will she be able to bring these qualities to Bond 24? Or will her indelible talents be suffocated by the blockbuster?

I’m confident that she’ll be able to excel. Not only does she have one of the greatest "actor" directors of the modern era in Sam Mendes overseeing her performance, she also has a generous cast to play against. Daniel Craig and Ralph Fiennes are the sort of actors who will allow her to shine in a scene rather than competing against her for attention. And if her character is in the same mold as Eva Green’s Vesper Lynd in Casino Royale, then she will be given plenty to play with. But if she turns out to be like Olga Kurylenko’s Camille Montes from Quantum Of Solace, then it will be a huge waste of her skills. Either way, Bond 24 is currently set up very nicely, and her addition means that there is now plenty more to be excited about.

The "Bond girl" is still something of a sacred title. It's the chance to, onscreen, be the sexual conquest of one of cinema's all-time most promiscuous men. It also means getting noticed in a big film and receiving a massive boost to your career. Many women have jumped at the chance in the past, and while most have failed to make James Bond settle down and start a family, they've nonetheless gone on to do great things. For the next Bond film, however, producers are reportedly looking to add some class by considering a woman who is already on her way to making it.

Schmoes Know recently revealed that none other than Lea Seydoux is a contender for the next James Bond film. If you do not know the lovely Ms. Seydoux, well, you need to step up your world-cinema game. She earned attention last year for the intense romantic drama Blue Is The Warmest Color. Before that, she was one of the cinema's loveliest faces, starring in Catherine Breillat's The Last Mistress, Raul Ruiz's Mysteries Of Lisbon and Ursula Meier's Sister. If you're not a Francophile, you may have noticed her in Inglorious Basterds and Midnight In Paris. Or perhaps you've already seen her do the spy thing, tangoing with Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol. Here she is brawling with Paula Patton.

Here's where things get interesting: SchmoesKnow also claimed awhile back that there was a casting notice sent out for the new film specifically looking for an actress aged 30-40 to play "Miranda Frost." Hm, that just might be the same Miranda Frost from Die Another Day, isn't it? As played by Rosamund Pike, she was a Bond ally who later turned out to be a double agent working for the villains. Don't remember that movie too well, do you? Lot of ice? Wind-surfing? Halle Berry? Ringing any bells? Brosnan? You know, PIERCE Brosnan?

Whatever the case, Seydoux is both absolutely stunning and a wondrous talent, and Bond will have his work cut out for him keeping up with her, given that she's 29 and he's 46. Oh wait, this is James Bond. He's all about younger ladies. Bond 24 (probably not the final title) is currently undergoing a re-write, but it will hit theaters November 24th, 2015.

Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos made a big splash in 2010 when his utterly bizarre feature Dogtooth was released and earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film Of The Year (ultimately losing out to Susanne Bier's In A Better World), but only now is the filmmaker ready to make his English-language debut. The Hollywood Reporter has learned that Lanthimos is now putting the pieces together for his latest movie, a strange-sounding project called The Lobster, and has lined up some big names to star, including Zero Dark Thirty‘s Jason Clarke, Skyfall‘s Ben Whishaw, and Blue Is The Warmest Color‘s Léa Seydoux.

Much like both Dogtooth and his last film, Alps, Lanthimos co-wrote the script for the new film with Efthymis Filippou, and while specific details about the plot and the characters aren't currently available, THR does makes note of its weird-yet-awesome sounding premise. The story is described as a romantic drama and will be set in a dystopian future where all single people must find a mate within 45 days. The consequence for failing to follow this societal law is that you get turned into an animal and sent into the woods. It will center on a man who is scheduled to be transformed but manages to escape. The trade sadly doesn't mention what characters the actors will be playing or how they fit into the plot, but I really only have one major question at this stage: where does the lobster come in?

Lanthimos' movies aren't exactly the most accessible titles out there, as its understandable that some people may be turned off by just how strange everything in his movies are, but if you're into that sort of thing his works are definitely worth a look. You can watch trailers for his two most recent films below.

Also set to appear in the movie, according to Deadline, will be Olivia Colman (Peep Show, Hot Fuzz), Ariane Labed (Before Midnight) and Angeliki Papoulia, who was in both Dogtooth and Alps. Production won't begin until March, so don't expect to see the finished product before the second half of next year - probably at the Toronto or Venice film festivals.

Snow White may be the most popular fairy tale of the moment, but closing the gap is the story of Beauty and the Beast. Just last year CBS Films came out with Beastly, starring Alex Pettyfer and Vanessa Hudgens, and just last month Disney re-released the most famous film version of the tale in 3D. While our fingers remained crossed that nobody will get the idea to remake The Beautician and the Beast, Variety has learned that a new European version of the story is now in development and has landed its two leads.

Reporting from the European Film Market in Berlin, the trade says that the new Beauty and the Beast film has landed French actors Vincent Cassell and Lea Seydoux. It is said that the project is one of the biggest European titles that was announced at the market this year. Christophe Gans, who is best known for helming Silent Hill and Brotherhood of the Wolf, will be taking over both scripting and directing duties. The news says that Gans' script is based on "one of the earliest published variants of the traditional fairy tale." The film will be made in French and production will begin this fall with a $40 million budget.

Cassell recently completed production on Danny Boyle's Trance with James McAvoy and Rosario Dawson, while Seydoux will soon begin work on The Foam of Days, the new film from director Michel Gondry.

As seen in Beastly (which, if you didn't know, is a horrible film), the real challenge behind making a live-action Beauty and the Beast story is how to design the hideous beast. Hopefully Gans has something in mind better than Pettyfer's bald head and overly-tattooed skin.