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It’s always hilarious that the James Bond movies are part of the “spy” genre. Sure, that handsome devil is a secret agent who saves the world every couple of years, but he doesn’t do a whole lot of “spying,” does he? He doesn’t embed himself inside an enemy organization for years, insidiously gaining his co-workers’ trust and quietly feeding intelligence back to his handlers. He goes in guns a-blazing, not only giving out his real name but repeating it just for giggles. James Bond isn’t a spy. He’s a power fantasy with multiple product placement deals.

Steven Soderbergh’s new thriller “Black Bag” is a movie about actual spies. They’re probably not realistic either, but at least they’re putting in the damn work. They manipulate. They betray. And when they have sex with each other it’s not an unforgettable night on the Riviera with zero consequences.

The 26th James Bond movie will be the first to be made under the new creative direction of Amazon MGM Studios. Longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have signed off on a new deal that will allow Amazon MGM to take complete creative control of the franchise moving forward, but it remains to be seen how the movie series will be different as a result.

Meanwhile, while many talents in Hollywood are excited about possibly becoming a part of the franchise, don't count on seeing Osgood Perkins in the mix to direct. Perkins, the son of Hollywood legends Anthony Perkins and Berry Berenson, has drawn high acclaim with his recent horror films, Longlegs and The Monkey. In a recent Reddit Ama, Perkins was asked if he would direct James Bond 26, and his response made it clear he won't even consider it.

RelatedGame of Thrones and Wheel of...

Originally published Feb. 25 at 6 a.m. Pt; updated March 3 at 11:30 a.m. Pt

Hosting the Oscars has always been the trickiest gig in showbiz. Imagine it: You're obliged to preside over a crowd of professionals who are both nervous that they will lose or that they may win and have to give a heartfelt speech that hits all the write notes and thanks all the right people. Only about 20 percent of them will leave carrying a trophy. The other 80 percent will cart off only disappointment. As the host, it's your job to make them laugh — or at least make them think about something other than the fact this is The Biggest Night of Their Lives when either massive success or utter failure will come calling. Even if you're impossibly charming and hilarious, much of their mind will be someplace else.

You'll be prepping to ace this gig for weeks,...

Here’s A Look At Every Oscars Host Over The Years Ahead Of Academy Awards 2025 ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Hollywood is getting decked up for one of the biggest award nights. The 97th Oscars will be held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on March 2. The ceremony will be broadcast live in India at 5:00 a.m. on Monday, March 3, 2025. Conan O’Brien will host the award ceremony. O’Brien has previously hosted many prestigious events, including the Emmys and the MTV Movie Awards.

The Oscar committee is known for experimenting with its formats when selecting its host. As Conan O’Brien is gearing up to take the stage, here’s a list of star hosts, including Anne Hathaway, Chris Rock, Hugh Jackman, and others, who have made headlines with their humor and hosting skills over the years at the Academy Awards.

Bob Hope

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The 97th Academy Awards are ready to shake, not stir, things up as the event hails the creative masterminds behind the James Bond film series. The fast-approaching Oscars are set to honor outgoing Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson through a musical presentation.

Via Variety, the upcoming Oscars will feature a song tribute hailing the iconic Bond themes over the franchise's shelf-life as a homage to Broccoli and Wilson. Details about the tribute remain scarce, with it being unknown whether it will acknowledge all James Bond theme songs or just the ones that have won or been nominated for Oscars. Sources close to the production claim the tribute will include an "assembly of surprising and immense talents."

RelatedGame of Thrones and Wheel of Time Stars Lead Betting Odds for James Bond 26 Villains

The odds are in on which actors might play James Bond's villain in Amazon's new film,...

Another James Bond film series alum shares her thoughts on the stunning development that saw Amazon acquire the franchise's rights from longtime producers, Eon Productions. Live and Let Die star Jane Seymour believes the spy movie collection will do "really well" and isn't ruling out a return for a future sequel more than 50 years later.

Speaking with People, Seymour, who portrayed the Bond Girl, Solitaire, opposite the late Roger Moore's 007 in the Oscar-nominated Live and Let Die, declared Amazon's takeover the "end of an era" and "hopes" they will elevate the franchise following the move. However, she feels confident that the James Bond property will go from strength to strength given its popularity since the '60s. “I am sure it'll do really well,” she said. “I think Bond will keep going. People love Bond. It's a great franchise.”

RelatedGame of Thrones and Wheel of Time Stars Lead Betting...

Gene Hackman was a legend where I grew up. Granted, he was a legend practically everywhere, but in Pasadena, California, to theater kids and movie geeks, he was hope incarnate.

Pasadena is the home to the historic (and aptly titled) Pasadena Playhouse, a venerable theatrical institution and a college with a list of alumni that boggles the mind: David Niven, Tyrone Power, Martha Graham, Lee J. Cobb, Leonard Nimoy, Angela Bassett, Ernest Borgnine, Jean Arthur, William Holden, Ariana Grande, Dustin Hoffman — and of course Gene Hackman. But Hackman had something none of those other famous actors ever had: the lowest scores of any actor, by that point, in the Pasadena Playhouse’s history.

In fact, Hackman and his friend and contemporary Hoffman were voted “Least Likely to Succeed,” which is a pretty crappy category, if we’re being honest. It’s like dropping the Razzie for Worst Picture in the middle of the Oscars telecast.

The odds are in for which actors are likely to portray a villain in the upcoming James Bond movie, with Game of Thrones and Wheel of Time stars leading the pack. Amazon MGM Studios was recently announced to be taking creative control of the franchise.

Gambling.com's odds show Peter Dinklage as the top choice to battle bond as the next male villain, with odds at +162.5 and a 38.1% probability. After Dinklage, the second most likely actor appears to be Barry Keoghan, with +175 and a 36.4% probability of being Bond's next male villain. Keoghan is joined by two of his Saltburn co-stars on the list, with Richard E. Grant and Jacob Elordi scoring 28.6% and 14.3% probabilities respectively.

RelatedKevin Feige and Dave Filoni Reportedly Contenders to Succeed Kathleen Kennedy at Lucasfilm

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Ben Affleck, who starred in Amazon's Air,...

We’re less than a week away from the 97th annual Academy Awards, and host Conan O’Brien has been doing tons of promotion for the big day, conducting interviews and starring in at least one short film in which he’s trapped in a loveless marriage with a giant Oscar statuette.

In one behind-the-scenes video posted to the Oscars’ official YouTube account, O’Brien name-checked some of his all-time favorite hosts (Johnny Carson and Bob Hope) and noted that one of his earliest memories of the Academy Awards was the time a streaker ran across the stage in 1974, teeing up a dick joke from David Niven.

Conan was also asked if he could give “any movie in history that was overlooked” by the Academy an Oscar, which would it be? Instead of singling out, say, one of Stanley Kubrick’s masterpieces, he suggested that he would honor a 1960s comedy starring Barney Fife himself,...

Acclaimed director Christopher Nolan might be lined up to helm the next James Bondfilm thanks to Amazon MGM Studios.

Per a new report from Puck (via ScreenRant), the recent change of hands that the James Bond franchise went through has greatly increased Nolan's chances of directing the next entry in the series. According to insider reports, the primary factor keeping Nolan from directing a James Bond film was the Broccoli family behind Eon Productions, who previously maintained the rights to the long-running franchise.

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Hideo Kojima's latest social media film review reveals plenty of confusion regarding the state of the MCU after Captain America: Brave New World.

Up until just a few days ago, the James Bond brand was owned and produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli from Eon Pictures. After Wilson and Broccoli joined Amazon MGM Studios...

This past week saw some big news break for fans of James Bond. Longtime producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli have given the keys to the franchise to Amazon MGM Studios, and while they will remain co-owners, they will no longer have anything to do with the creative direction of the famous fictional spy.

Per Radio Times, former Bond actor Timothy Dalton weighed in on the announcement. Dalton, who was promoting his role in the Yellowstone offshoot 1923, admitted he felt "surprised and shocked" by the deal. He reflected on working with Broccoli's father, Albert R. "Cubby" Broccoli, on the James Bond movies The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill. Dalton went on to wish Amazon MGM Studios luck with the franchise moving forward, sharing his hopes that the next reboot will be more reminiscent of the original films.

RelatedJames Bond Producers Lose Creative Control of 007 Franchise to...

Amid the stunning development regarding Amazon's acquisition of the James Bond franchise, one of the most notable 007s in history shares his opinion on the news. The most recent James Bond actor, Daniel Craig, hails the outgoing producers of the spy film series, insisting his respect for them is "undiminished."

Via Variety, Craig released a statement addressing Amazon MGM's takeover of the James Bond franchise, acquiring the rights from long-time producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. Craig had nothing but kind words for Broccoli and Wilson after they ceded control to Amazon, wishing them the best on their next ventures and sharing his admiration for them after working with them on five James Bond entries. “My respect, admiration and love for Barbara and Michael remain constant and undiminished,” Craig said. “I wish Michael a long, relaxing (and well deserved) retirement and whatever ventures Barbara goes on to do, I know they will be spectacular,...

Multiple actors have taken on the role of the MI6 agent since the James Bond franchise began in the 1960s. The last person to play Bond was Daniel Craig, whose departure from the role left behind a series of questions and speculations.

James Bond is undergoing a massive change as Amazon MGM Studios has taken creative control over the franchise. That means longtime producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli won't be the only people in charge of the character, although they will still be involved in the character via their new joint venture. Following the announcement, Amazon owner Jeff Bezos went on Instagram to ask questions about who the next Bond should be.

View this post on InstagramA post shared by Jeff Bezos (@jeffbezos)

RelatedJames Bond Might Lose Iconic 007 Codename After New Lawsuit

The James Bond franchise is dealing with several legal challenges in UK and EU courts.

The...

Major news has been revealed about the James Bond franchise.

Per Variety, Amazon MGM Studios is taking creative control of James Bond from the fictional spy's longtime producers, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. This is the result of Amazon MGM Studios, Wilson, and Broccoli forming a new joint venture to "house the James Bond intellectual property rights." While Amazon MGM is taking complete creative control over the character, all three will remain co-owners of the franchise.

Related'i Want to Beat Up Some Bad Guys': Prime Target Star Addresses James Bond Rumors

Prime Target star Leo Woodall has addressed speculation that he could be the next James Bond.

“Since his theatrical introduction over 60 years ago, James Bond has been one of the most iconic characters in filmed entertainment,” Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios boss Mike Hopkins said of the news in a statement. “We are grateful to the late...

Look, we all love a beautiful, inspiring Oscar moment. But we're also only human, and we also like a little bit of a trainwreck now and again. Luckily, the Academy Awards provideth. A lot. Like, there have been a shocking amount of flubs, considering what a tightly-run production an Oscars telecast has to be. For every sweet and charming moment celebrating the magic of movies and the ephemeral quality of celebrity, we are blessed with at least a few total cringe-fests. 

Whether it's the Academy making a misguided attempt to swing for the fences and falling flat on their faces or actors and presenters making choices that will haunt them well beyond the grave, awkward moments are never in short supply. If the Academy Awards were to ever go fully meme-happy and create a Best Gaffe category, these would undeniably be the nominees for the Most Awkward Oscars Moments.

Read...

The James Bondfranchise is in danger of losing some of its most iconic trappings thanks to a new lawsuit.

Per The Guardian, Austrian businessman Josef Kleindienst, who is currently building a $5 billion luxury resort across six artificial islands off the coast of Dubai, has filed numerous "cancelation actions based on non-use" in a bid to claim control of various aspects of the James Bond franchise and character. Among these are the phrase "Bond, James Bond," as well as the moniker/codename of "007."

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The suit purports that these and other iconic parts of the franchise have not been used across a variety of industries in a long enough time that the trademarks surrounding them have lapsed,...

The James Bond franchise has been around since the 1960s, with seven different actors taking on the role of the 007 MI6 agent across 25 feature films. After Daniel Craig played Bond for the last time in 2021's No Time to Die, everyone is looking forward to finding out who will play the agent next.

The Academy Award-winning franchise is set to continue with a series of new films starring a different actor as Bond. So far, several actors have been suggested as the new 007, including Idris Elba, Henry Cavill, Josh O'Connor, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, with no official actor cast. In a new interview with Screen Rant to promote his new film, Cleaner, the Casino Royale director revealed what they're looking for when casting the new Bond.

Related'i Wish I Had Done That': Mel Gibson Reflects on Turning Down Gladiator and James Bond

The actor and filmmaker reflected on two jobs he passed on in the past.

Geneviève Page, the alluring French actress who starred in such films as Belle de Jour, El Cid and The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes, died Friday. She was 97.

Page died at her home in Paris, her granddaughter, actress Zoé Guillemaud, told the Afp news agency.

In a career of more than 50 years, Page appeared in other notable films including Fanfan la Tulip (1952); Foreign Intrigue (1956), opposite Robert Mitchum; The Silken Affair (1956), with David Niven; John Frankenheimer’s Grand Prix (1966); Mayerling (1968), directed by Terence Young; and Charles Vidor’s Song Without End (1960), where the director died mid-shoot and was replaced by George Cukor.

In 1967, Spanish director Luis Buñuel cast Page as Madame Anais, the owner and operator of the high-class brothel in Belle de Jour, an adaptation of Joseph Kessel’s 1928 novel.

The film centers on Severine Serizy (Catherine Deneuve), whose sexless marriage pushes her into prostitution — but only between the hours of 2 and 5 p.

In a perfect world, the Oscars would be a true celebration of everything cinema accomplished the previous year. No one should listen to the naysayers who say that cinema is filled with nothing but remakes and sequels. Anyone who says that isn't a serious person and probably only goes to the theater twice a year anyway. If you look closely enough, you'll find plenty of amazing films that speak to the human condition or comment on modern societal ills in an entertaining way. There are always movies to celebrate, and the Academy Awards should ideally honor all those.

Sadly, the Oscars are often their own worst enemy. Cinephiles just want to have fun during this event, but the ceremony frequently shoots itself in the foot by pandering to people who don't even like movies and eliminating movie clips even though We All Want To See The Performances That Were Nominated.

Dr. No was the first chance for fans of Ian Fleming’s Bond novels to see the legendary spy brought to life on the big screen. Little did people know that it would transcend itself into one of the longest-running spy franchises that is still going strong today. During the making of Dr. No, the stakes were quite high. Ian Fleming was initially upset with the selection of a Scottish working-class Bond, Sean Connery, as he had envisioned someone more polished like David Niven. But the producers, Harry Saltzman and Albert R. Broccoli, had a different vision, and their gamble paid off spectacularly.

The decision to start the series with the sixth Bond novel was a deliberate one, as Dr. No was grittier and darker in tone compared to the earlier books. Now, we all know how this film not only shaped the career of Sean Connery but also provided...

Henry Cavill - his name may as well be a war cry for nerds everywhere. He played Superman, Geralt of Rivia, and is currently producing an Amazon series set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe.

He’s the Man of Steel, the White Wolf - but, before all of them, he was very nearly Britain's favorite fictional spy. Unfortunately, the role of James Bond wasn't given to the then-much younger Cavill, but recently the audition tape has leaked online and given fans a glimpse at a world where Cavill, not Craig, started in Casino Royale. It can be watched below, courtesy of Ron South on YouTube.

One comment stated, "I'm impressed, considering how young he was then. Now, he'd nail it." Another said, "Henry would have been great as Bond. Too bad it didn't happen," says another. Another fan added, "Look what they took from us."

"He said himself wasn't ready...

As Eon Productions continues work on revamping its James Bond franchise, the debate rages on within the fandom over whether the next movie should feature a gender-swapped 007. The prospect of a female James Bond has actually become so hotly debated that actors from the franchise have weighed in, including, most recently, Quantum of Solace star Gemma Arterton.

Speaking with The Times, Arterton believed that a female James Bond wouldn't break away too much from the franchise's tradition, adding that she didn't know if the fandom would respond positively to the character change. "Isn’t a female James Bond like Mary Poppins being played by a man?" said the actor. "They talk about it, but I think people would find it too outrageous. Sometimes you just have to respect the tradition." Arterton appeared as Bond girl Strawberry Fields in 2008's Quantum of Solace, which served as Daniel Craig's second outing...

Although Daniel Craig couldn’t care less about the next James Bond actor, Gemma Arterton just hopes the franchise doesn’t stray too far from its source material.

After appearing in Quantum of Solace (2008), the BAFTA nominee gave her opinion on the idea of a woman playing the next 007 amid ongoing calls to diversify the character created by author Ian Fleming in 1935.

“Isn’t a female James Bond like Mary Poppins being played by a man?” she told The Times. “They talk about it, but I think people would find it too outrageous. Sometimes you just have to respect the tradition.

“I don’t regret doing a Bond film, but I am perplexed why it has followed me around. I was only in the film for five minutes,” added Arterton after portraying MI6 agent Strawberry Fields.

Arterton’s comment comes after Craig bluntly declared last month “I don’t...

Film Review is unwrapping 24 memorable movies in the countdown to Christmas. From festive favourites to holiday gems, there’s something for everyone on your list. Celebrate the season with the magic of the movies!

Lovely, Still

(2008)

Creative forces and longstanding lifetime members of The Actors Studio, Ellen Burstyn and Martin Landau both served as Artistic Director for the org. Read our interview with Ellen Burstyn about the 75th Anniversary.

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It Happened on 5th Avenue

(1947)

The story was originally optioned by Liberty Films in 1945 for director Frank Capra, who decided to direct It's a Wonderful Life instead.

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Arthur Christmas

(2011)

Originally titled Operation Rudolph. The music video for Justin Bieber's end credits song "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" was exclusively shown in theatres before the film.

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The Holiday

(2006)

Dustin Hoffman’s cameo wasn’t planned. Hoffman happened to be driving by, noticed the production...

In 2009, Disney purchased the film rights to Marvel Studios. In 2012, Disney purchased Lucasfilm. In 2017, Disney purchased the 20th Century Fox library. Thanks to these major buys, Disney now owns some of the most bankable films of all time. When not adjusted for inflation, Disney also owns a controlling stake in nine out of the 10 highest-grossing movies ever, including two "Avatar" movies, "Titanic," three movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a Pixar film, a "Star Wars" film, and a remake of an animated classic.

But every major hit seems to balance itself out with a major loss. Disney also has ownership of some of the biggest box office bombs of all time, as the "high risk, high reward" filmmaking model has proven unsuccessful at least as often as it has worked. Disney also owns major commercial duds like "The Marvels," "John Carter," "The Lone Ranger," "Mars Needs Moms," "Tomorrowland," "Onward," "Strange World,...

Providing their audience with an unflinching snapshot of the life-or-death nature of armed conflict, war movies have formed an intrinsic part of popular culture since the earliest days of cinema, to the point that storied names in the vein of Saving Private Ryan, Schindler's List, and The Deer Hunter are widely regarded as some of the best movies of all time. Furthermore, many of the best war films of all time owe much of their success to a superb villain who carries the story with their wicked presence, serving as the perfect antagonistic foil.

In many cases, the villain is the movie's best character, with the actor tasked with bringing them to life producing a nuanced and compelling performance that has the potential to overshadow the efforts of the film's protagonists. From morally devoid war criminals and renegade soldiers to Machiavellian double agents, the best portrayals of war movie villains...

[Editor’s note: For this article, The Hollywood Reporter only looked at the shortest and longest screen times in the lead acting categories. Best supporting actor and actress were not included.]

Longest Screen Times Vivien Leigh, Gone With the Wind (1939)

Movie Length 3 hrs 58 mins

Time Onscreen 2 hrs 23 mins

Percent of Run Time 60 Percent

Vivien Leigh holds the record for the longest performance to win an Oscar, though the work took a deep physical and mental toll on her. The film itself is also the longest to win best picture. At the 12th Academy Awards, Victor Fleming’s Gone With the Wind also won best supporting actress for Hattie McDaniel, who became the first African American to win an Oscar. Leigh was nominated alongside Bette Davis (Dark Victory), Irene Dunne (Love Affair), Greta Garbo (Ninotchka) and Greer Garson (Goodbye, Mr. Chips).

Charlton Heston, Ben-Hur (1959)

Movie Length 3 hrs 32 mins

Time Onscreen 2 hrs 1 min

Percent of Run Time 57.1 Percent...

Three of the James Bond movies were remakes of previous Bond films, and these remakes include some of the absolute best (and absolute worst) of 007s on-screen adventures. Remaking past Bond movies might start becoming more common in the next couple of iterations of the franchise, because the producers have just about run out of Ian Fleming stories to adapt. Since very few of the Bond movies have actually stuck to the source material that gave them their titles, the next incarnation of the Bond series could see Eon going back and adapting Flemings novels more faithfully.

But Eon (and other producers) have been readapting Flemings works since long before they ran out of new ones to turn into movies. Casino Royale the very first Bond novel has been adapted for the screen a grand total of three times, and each version has been vastly different than the last. When...

Warning: This article contains spoilers for No Time to DieThree years after the last entry in the James Bond franchise, hardly anything is known about the upcoming Bond 26, which makes it the most nerve-wracking and unpredictable entry since 2006's Casino Royale. James Bond is one of the most popular and historic franchises in the history of cinema. Since the first Bond movie, Dr. No, was released in 1962, it's understandable that the James Bond franchise has undergone many changes over the years. However, the upcoming 26th Bond film could mark one of the biggest changes ever for the franchise.

Throughout its over 60-year history, seven actors have portrayed British spy James Bond. These James Bond actors have made up several different eras of the franchise. In the past, it has usually been when a new actor stepped into the shoes of 007 that the most noticeable changes were made to the series.

Ah, Casino Royale. Everyone loved that classic James Bond thriller starring... Woody Allen, Peter Sellers, and Orson Welles? That's right, 40 years before the 007 franchise was rebooted with Daniel Craig in Casino Royale, writer Ian Fleming's book was adapted into one of the goofiest, most ridiculous movies ever made. As the search for a new James Bond continues, let's look back on the undoubtedly weirdest moment in the history of the franchise.

1967's Casino Royale was a marquee affair, with a budget that was nearly 12 times as big as 1962's Dr. No. It attracted one of the best casts of the '60s David Niven, Peter Sellers, Ursula Andress, Woody Allen, Joanna Pettet, Orson Welles, Daliah Lavi, Deborah Kerr, William Holden, Charles Boyer, Jean-Paul Belmondo, George Raft, John Huston, Jacqueline Bisset, Peter O'Toole, and Ronnie Corbett. Casino Royale wasn't just bloated on-screen; it was overstuffed off-screen as well. The...

Murder mystery movies are often dark and dangerous, but there are some which use a murder investigation as a set-up for comedy. People often find relief in laughing at taboo subjects, which goes some way to explaining why crime comedies are so popular. Humor can also be used to deconstruct the rigid framework of the mystery genre, which often seems stuck in the days of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle or Agatha Christie.

Some of the best murder mystery movies double as hilarious comedies. It's not easy to balance these two disparate sides, especially since murder can often feel too heavy. However, with some dark humor and a compelling mystery, comedies about murder can work brilliantly. From the 1930s right up to the present day, there are many fantastic murder mystery comedies for people who can see the funny side of death.

Related 35 Best Murder Mysteries Ranked (& Where To Stream Them...

Fans of 007 are still waiting to see who will become the next actor to suit up in the tux as the next James Bond. Until an announcement is made, fans are continuing the debate over who'd be great for the role, but don't ask for Daniel Craig's opinion.

Craig previously played James Bond over the course of five feature films, culminating with 2021's No Time to Die. Ever since that film's release, it has been unclear when Bond 26 will start production, and no casting announcements for the iconic role have been officially made at this time. Per Variety, Craig was asked some questions about 007 during a recent interview alongside Drew Starkey to promote their new film Queer. After he was asked who he'd like to pass the torch to as the next actor to play Bond, Craig delivered a blunt response that went viral. With a chuckle,...

The next James Bond movie has been in development for some time, as studio executives search for the perfect creative team. However, a new report suggests that an Oscar-winning director is being considered to direct the next installment in the iconic 007 franchise.

Per The Sun, 12 Years a Slave director Steve McQueen has met with producers about helming the highly anticipated film. "Steve is one of the UK's best filmmakers and has an incredible vision," a source told the publication. "The word is that the Bond producers wanted to see if Steve would ever consider having a hand in one of the films, and they got a positive response. It would be incredible if it came off." When asked if the reports were true, representatives for McQueen responded with "no comment."

Related Agatha All Along Creator Says The Finale Was Never About Killing The Titular Witch

The series was...

Unless he comes back for a multiverse appearance in the future, Tom Hardy is wrapping up his run in the role of Eddie Brock with Venom: The Last Dance. Meanwhile, director Kelly Marcel is hoping to see the actor next suit up as 007.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Marcel reacted to rumors that she was on the list of directors in consideration to direct Bond 26. According to the rumor mill, Marcel is up for the job alongside Edward Berger, David Michod, Yann Demange, and Bart Layton. She described it as "humbling" to be a part of that conversation, especially when considering that such a gig would be able to make history, given how there's never been a female director for the franchise. She also agreed that Hardy wearing a tuxedo in Venom: The Last Dance brings James Bond to mind, hinting that she worked in the suit because of the rumors.

Mitzi Gaynor, star of 1950s big-screen musicals including “South Pacific” and “Les Girls” and a series of beloved variety specials in the 1970s, died on Thursday. She was 93.

Gaynor’s management team, Rene Reyes and Shane Rosamonda, confirmed to Variety that she died of natural causes.

“For eight decades she entertained audiences in films, on television and on the stage. She truly enjoyed every moment of her professional career and the great privilege of being an entertainer,” Reyes and Rosamonda wrote in a statement on Gaynor’s X account. “Off stage, she was a vibrant and extraordinary woman, a caring and loyal friend, and a warm, gracious, very funny and altogether glorious human being.”

Gaynor starred as Navy nurse Nellie Forbush in the 1958 big-screen adaptation of Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “South Pacific” together with Rossano Brazzi as French planter Emile De Becque and John Kerr as Lt. Cable. Gaynor sang...

Mitzi Gaynor, the leggy entertainer whose saucy vitality and blond beauty graced the big screen in South Pacific and on Las Vegas stages and in spectacular TV specials, has died. She was 93.

Gaynor, who received top billing over The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show on Feb. 16, 1964, and was famed costume designer Bob Mackie’s first celebrity client, died Oct. 17 of natural causes, her team announced in a statement.

“As we celebrate her legacy, we offer our thanks to her friends and fans and the countless audiences she entertained throughout her long life,” Rene Reyes and Shane Rosamonda of Gaynor’s Mgmt team said in a statement shared on the entertainer’s X (formerly known as Twitter.)

“Your love, support and appreciation meant so very much to her and was a sustaining gift in her life. She often noted that her audiences were ‘the sunshine of my life.’ You truly were.

From Anthony Hopkins in The Silence of the Lambs to Beatrice Straight in Network, some shockingly brief Oscar-winning performances have proven that there are no small parts. Its already impressive enough for an actor to deliver an Academy Award-worthy performance when they have two-and-a-half hours to chew the scenery in the spotlight. Cillian Murphys Oscar-winning turn in Oppenheimer is incredible, but he had three whole hours full of lengthy IMAX closeups to wow audiences with his work. It takes a special kind of actor to earn an Oscar with less than 20 minutes of screen time.

Usually, the Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress awards go to performers who are given so much screen time that theyre practically a lead, so they have longer to connect with the audience (and with Oscar voters) than a true supporting player. For example, Mahershala Ali won Best Supporting Actor for his piano-playing turn in Green Book,...

For most people born in the past three decades, Maggie Smith became a familiar figure as Minerva McGonagall, the transfiguration professor and deputy headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the Harry Potter movies. That strict but kind sorceress dispensed both imperious commands and compassionate counsel in a clipped Scottish brogue from beneath her pointed black hat.

Others might have met her as Violet Crawley, the tart-tongued Dowager Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey, whose advanced age and creeping infirmity did nothing to diminish her Old World authority — “I wouldn’t know, I’m not familiar with the sensation,” she once remarked, on the foreign concept of being wrong — or her precision at landing a cutting put-down.

Smith died today in London, aged 89, and those who know her only from those two signature roles would do well to sample the many jewels elsewhere in her seven-decade filmography.

For...

Dame Maggie Smith was many things. Hilarious and tragic. Elegant and aloof. Enchanting and deadly serious. Most will attribute their appreciation of her multiple-generation spanning career to roles in the “Harry Potter” or “Sister Act” franchises or perhaps “Downton Abbey,” which elevated her fame to a level she often spoke disdainfully of. For Smith was not an actress who was in it for the red carpets or accolades — though she received many, including two Oscars, five Baftas, four Emmys, and a Tony — but rather treated acting as a sturdy profession, one that required of her the utmost presence while on set or stage.

Beginning her career in the early 1950s, she played Viola in William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” at The Oxford Playhouse, followed later by roles in “As You Like It” and “The Merry Wives of Windsor” at London’s famed Old Vic theater. She rose to prominence on...

Maggie Smith, the two-time Oscar and four-time Emmy winner whose work in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and Downton Abbey — plus everything before and after — made her one of the most formidable British actors of all time, died Friday. She was 89.

Her sons, actors Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin, told the BBC that she died “peacefully in hospital … an intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end. She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.”

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days.”

Best known in recent years for matriarchal roles in seven of the Harry Potter films and the ITV-pbs series Downton Abbey, Smith earned early acclaim with a best actress Oscar...

Acclaimed actor Zo Saldaa sees no limits to her Hollywood career and has one major ambition she'd love to fulfil. The Avatar franchise star and Marvel Cinematic Universe actor insists she wants to direct an action movie to further boost her impressive CV.

Speaking at the Toronto International Film Festival, Saldaa stated her intent to helm an action film when she makes her directorial debut, claiming she's long been a fan of crime shows and heist films, and mentioned the James Bond franchise as a potential avenue to pursue her ambition. Ive never seen a woman direct James Bond, she said. I like The Equalizer. I watch crime shows, and, so, maybe in the future. Ive always been drawn to heist themes. Heat is a film that I need to watch at least once a year and analyze it, and the way that Michael Mann just pairs it all together,...

Reports of All Quiet on the Western Front director Edward Berger helming new entries in the Ocean's and James Bond franchises have been greatly exaggerated. The acclaimed filmmaker has dismissed recent reports claiming he is attached to direct new installments in the respective franchises, although he remains open to the idea.

While speaking with Collider at the Toronto International Film Festival to promote his new movie Concave, Berger addressed the Bond rumors head-on, stating, "Im very ignorant to rumor, or Ive tried to push it aside. I dont listen to it, especially when its not true. ... Its not even a conversation in my mind, or Im sure not in [Bond producer] Barbara Broccolis mind." He added, "These are rumors that are just not true, so just put a bucket on it. Lets make film by film. I dont know what will be next."

Related Beetlejuice 2 Star Reflects on Setting 'Revolutionary' Record...

1958 was quite the year for French novelist Françoise Sagan, who had not one but two film versions of her works given the Hollywood treatment: A Certain Smile and Bonjour Tristesse. The latter was directed by Otto Preminger to mixed reviews despite a starry cast including David Niven, Deborah Kerr and newcomer Jean Seberg who had made her debut in Preminger’s Saint Joan the year before. She was enthralling, but the Preminger take of Sagan’s coming-of-age tale set on the French Riviera is largely forgotten today. Both studio films had the feel of a lavish soap so popular for these widescreen romantic dramas of the time. Now we have a new take.

Though Bonjour Tristesse has also since been made a couple of times for French TV, this is the first major international film version since Preminger’s, and it is a gorgeous-looking, quite lilting tale of an 18-year-old...

Actor James Darren, who evolved from a teen idol to a successful singer and accomplished actor in television and film, has passed away at the age of 88. According to a report by Variety, Darren passed away on Monday at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. His son Jim Moret has since revealed that the cause of his death was congestive heart failure. It marks the end of a stellar, diverse career highlighted by the Gidget films of the 1950s and 1960s, the classic film The Guns of Navarone, and the series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

Darren, born James William Ercolani, is a native of Philadelphia, and earned his start in acting with a small role in the 1956 crime drama Rumble on the Docks, alongside Robert Blake. He continued to find supporting roles in lesser-known films like Operation Mad Ball, and the Van Heflin western Gunman's Walk. His breakthrough role, however,...

The Venice International Film Festival is still thriving, after premiering films like Tim Burton's Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, George Clooney and Brad Pitt's Wolfs, and Kevin Costner's Horizon Saga, Chapters 1 and 2. However, several stars attended a luxurious event Aston Martin's unveiling of its latest model, Vanquish.

Many celebrities were present at the event, and the unveiling of the new V12 flagship model was revealed by Aston Martin's Formula One drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll. Among the names was also former James Bond actor, Daniel Craig, who posed with the red grand tourer. Speaking to Variety, global head of marketing at Aston Martin Renato Bisignani couldn't help but touch upon the brand's long history with the spy franchise James Bond and share the enthusiasm for the next Bond.

Aston Martin

Related NCIS Showrunner Teases 'Fun Episode' About an Aging James Bond-Type Character

NCIS showrunner Steven D. Binder teases...

All it took was three words; "Bond. James Bond," and movie-going audiences were hooked. When Sean Connery debuted as Ian Fleming's fictional MI6 agent in 1962's Dr. No, no one knew what to expect. With Fleming's ingenious creation already having been adapted to television once before in 1954 to an uninspired reception, the one thing no one was seriously expecting was a giant hit. They were wrong.

James Bond proved to be such a massive success that the character is still going strong over sixty years later, with no less than eight actors bringing the role to life in various projects. Every fan has their favorite iteration of England's most famous secret agent, but if you require a refresher on which talented actors have been tasked with protecting "Queen (now King) and country," this list will provide exactly that.

Related How James Bond's Moonraker Spurred a Strange Dental Legend...

Pierce Brosnan's role in The Matador showcases his comedic acting chops in a dark crime comedy with Greg Kinnear. Brosnan's departure from his suave James Bond image to play a flawed character earned him critical acclaim. The actor played a crucial role in shaping the physical appearance and emotional depth of his character in the film.

Landing a high-profile role like James Bond can be a blessing and a curse. Look no further than Pierce Brosnan, the sixth actor tapped to play the famous MI6 Secret Service Agent behind Sean Connery, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, and Timothy Dalton. Brosnan portrayed the dashing intelligence agent in four Bond films between 1994 and 2004, resulting in a decade of popular exposure and confining typecast. One year after Brosnan took off the tux, the Irish actor delivered arguably his freest, funniest, and most well-rounded performance in a little movie called The Matador.

This year’s Toronto International Film Festival continues to catch some major stars. Today, festival head Cameron Bailey has announced the addition of more more honorees who will be receiving a TIFF Tribute Award at this year’s festival. Those honorees include Academy Award–nominated and renowned British filmmaker Mike Leigh, who will be honored with the TIFF Ebert Director Award.

Leigh will premiere his twenty-third film “Hard Truths,” at the festival, which will screen as part of the Special Presentations program and reunites him with Academy Award nominee Marianne Jean-Baptiste (“Secrets & Lies”). Named after legendary film critic Roger Ebert, the award has gone to celebrated visionaries such as Martin Scorsese, Claire Denis, Ava DuVernay, Wim Wenders, and the late Agnès Varda. Past recipients who received the TIFF Ebert Director Award since the TIFF Tribute Awards were introduced include Spike Lee in 2023; Sam Mendes in 2022; Denis Villeneuve in 2021; Chloé Zhao...

Other characters have assumed the 007 role in James Bond films and books, with Bond being the most famous to use the codename. Nomi, played by Lashana Lynch in No Time To Die, serves as James Bond's successor to the 007 designation. Bond's predecessor, although never seen on-screen, is explored in the books, like Anthony Horwitz's 2018 novel Forever and a Day.

The James Bond franchise has set up a world full of spies outside the titular secret agent, with multiple other characters also taking up his ranking as 007 in movies and books. Within the world of James Bond, Mi:6 operates as a peacekeeping force that is focused on protecting Britain and the world at large. Their most experienced and skilled agents are given 00 designations. While Bond is typically shown as 007 in every James Bond movies, the implication has always been that others have been 007 before him and others will be 007 after him.

While most may prioritize new additions to streaming apps each month — something we here at IndieWire take great pride in — viewers should also not neglect the fact that with each new property added, another must go. Though some apps do concentrate these expiring selections in a row on one of their menu pages, they aren’t always the easiest to find. Thankfully, we’ve done the work for you. Scouring each major platform and discovering what’s about to disappear from our watchlists, IndieWire has gathered a few selections worth your time before they go from major streamers like Netflix and Prime, as well as apps on the rise like Tubi and Kanopy.

In honor of the political conventions being hosted this summer, for our Netflix selection we’ve gone with “Born on the Fourth of July,” directed by Oliver Stone and starring Tom Cruise in an Academy-Award nominated performance...