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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The list of upcoming DC superhero movies is centered on a variety of different comic book faves, from Milly Alcock’s impending arrival as Supergirl to the Boy Wonder pair heading up Dynamic Duo and beyond. We know that John Cena’s Peacemaker will fit into it somewhere, but while it seemed like he and his crew would be the only DCEU characters reconfigured for James Gunn’s DCU era, another potential contender has emerged: Pierce Brosnan.

The former James Bond star made his golden-helmeted debut as comic book hero Doctor Fate in 2022’s Black Adam, the rare movie to bring in over $400 million and still fail. Despite the character’s own fate being sealed by the end, Brosnan shared early on that he was keen on returning to the role, and has once again put that idea out into the world, this time in connection with Gunn’s upcoming blockbuster sequel Man of Tomorrow. What the what?

Speaking with GQ, Brosnan was asked if his experience with the widely maligned Black Adam feature had him banging on Marvel's doors to get an MCU role. The Thursday Night Murder Club star waved that idea aside and implied he may not be done with Doctor Fate just yet, saying:

Here's the point where we have to decide just how much stock to put in Brosnan's words, without knowing who relayed the ideas to him that Doctor Fate could feasibly head up his own TV series or film, or that he could factor into a new Superman feature. Surely, we'd all love to give him the benefit of the doubt here, and I am all for his take on Dr. Kent Nelson to be the one we see in upcoming DCU movies.

But the more paranoid side of my brain is sub-worried that Brosnan is only referring to past comments, conversations and rumors that he was privy to three years ago when The Rock was still extremely bullish about being a cornerstone for the DC Extended Universe, before James Gunn and Peter Safran took over the studio. (He has since descended from that lofty headspace.)

I have zero issues with believing that former squad of WB execs pumped Brosnan's ear full of rose-colored wishes for the future. But considering James Gunn hasn't really said much about Pierce Brosnan or Doctor Fate, it's hard to tell how viable such hopes for his return are. One thing doesn't need to be questioned however, and that's the actor's interest in playing Doctor Fate again. As he put it:

I guess he'd need to be more than just open to it if a Doctor Fate movie really was in the works. The helmeted hero doesn't really seem marquee-ready just yet, so until James Gunn says otherwise, I'm just going to hope he pops up in Man of Tomorrow, Clayface, Swamp Thing, Lanterns, and/or any other DCU projects on the way.

In the meantime, Pierce Brosnan wrapped filming on the highly anticipated upcoming action movie Cliffhanger, a remake of the Sylvester Stallone flick, with Lily James as the lead. He'll also Rowan Athale's boxing biopic Giant, which centers on the story of esteemed UK brawler Prince Naseem Hamed.

Since becoming a major player in Hollywood developing originals, Netflix has extended into all aspects of the modern film industry, and that obviously includes developing franchises. Between titles like Enola Holmes, The Kissing Booth, To All The Boys, Extraction, The Old Guard, and more, many sequel swings have been taken in the last decade. Is it possible that The Thursday Murder Club will be the next popular movie to go that route?

The new feature, which is now available to stream for those with a Netflix subscription, features a talented cast, has gotten a warm reception from critics, and has fertile source material – as the original novel by author Richard Osman was followed by three sequel books. All of that obviously paves a road forward, but another key aspect in the mix is that the talent behind the film is excited to do more. In a piece by Entertainment Weekly, director Chris Columbus and stars of Thursday Murder Club share excitement about potentially making more movies – with Columbus noting that he has some exciting personal history when it comes to adapting multiple stories in a literary series:

In the new Netflix movie, Pierce Brosnan, Helen Mirren, Ben Kingsley and Celia Imrie play a collection of elderly professionals who are able to pool their individual skills to try and solve a murder case. The book on which its based, which became a best-seller after it was released in late 2020, spawned annual sequels for three straight years: The Man Who Died Twice, The Bullet That Missed, and The Last Devil To Die.

For Mirren, who plays retired spy Elizabeth Best, the joy of making a follow-up wouldn't just be returning to the character or telling another exciting story, but being back together with who co-stars, who were apparently quite supportive during the making of the film:

Making a sequel to The Midnight Murder Club wouldn't be a difficult choice for Pierce Brosnan either. He's obviously had plenty of his own experience in movie franchises, so why not continue to play former union leader Ron Ritchie? The ex-007 told EW:

Celia Imire, who plays Joyce Meadowcroft in the 2025 Netflix movie, had a more superstitious take on the question, and seemingly doesn't want to jinx the opportunity to make a sequel. That being said, she couldn't come up with a reason why she would say no to adapting The Man Who Died Twice or any of the other books:

Also featuring the great talents of Ben Kingsley, David Tennant, Jonathan Pryce, Naomi Ackie, Tom Ellis and Richard E. Grant, The Thursday Murder Club is now streaming, and while its future as a franchise starter is unclear for now, it's good to know that so much of the principal talent would be excited to be involved in a sequel.

Murder mysteries are huge right now, thanks to popular TV shows and movies like Only Murders in the Building and Knives Out, and now a popular novel is being adapted for the 2025 movie calendar. The Thursday Murder Club, based on the book series by Richard Osman, is one of Netflix’s upcoming movies, and critics were able to screen the film ahead of its August 28 release. It’s a fairly straight-forward story, they say, but the response is overall positive.

The Thursday Murder Club movie features a killer cast (bad pun intended) that includes Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, Celia Imrie and more, centering around a group of elderly amateur sleuths who get caught up in a real-life murder. Maggie Lovitt of Collider says the mystery is nothing we haven't seen, but the beauty of this flick is in the ensemble, who deliver what may be one of Netflix’s best movies of the year. The critic rates it 9 out of 10, writing:

G. Allen Johnson of the San Francisco Chronicle says it’s obvious both the actors and director Chris Columbus had a blast making this. Pierce Brosnan hasn’t been this funny since Mrs. Doubtfire, says Johnson, who would be game for a dozen more movies in this series. More from the review of The Thursday Murder Club:

Caryn James of THR says mysteries like this one are described as “cozy” for a reason, and anything The Thursday Murder Club lacks in originality is compensated for by its wonderful cast. James writes:

Manuel Betancourt of Variety calls the movie a “film of simple pleasures,” and when it comes to whodunits, this is about as cozy and inoffensive as viewers can hope for. The critic says:

Stephanie Zacharek of Time says director Chris Columbus is one who screams, “Fun!” and this movie is much more about the actors having a good time than forging new ground in the murder mystery genre. Zacharek writes:

While the critics seem to agree that the plot of The Thursday Murder Club is fairly by-the-book, nobody seems upset about it, saying that Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan and the rest are the movie’s real treat. At the time of this writing, the film holds an 81% Rotten Tomatoes score from 32 reviews, so it seems like this might be a great option to throw on from the comfort of your own home.

The Thursday Murder Club will be available to stream with a Netflix subscription on August 28, which is (naturally) a Thursday.

Mamma Mia just became available for those with a Netflix subscription again, which means a lot of people are going to be rewatching the beloved musical, and talking about it. As a longtime fan of both Mamma Mia movies, I want to get into the ongoing dad debate, because my blunt take is that it just doesn’t matter, despite people loving to argue about it.

I Need To Talk About The Ongoing Dad Debate In Mamma Mia

If you’re out of the loop here, Mamma Mia revolves around Amanda Seyfried’s Sophie finding her mom Donna’s diary from when she was a young woman. There she finds out that she had flings with three men around the same time right before she got pregnant with her. As Sophie gets ready to get married, she decides to invite all three of them to her big day in Greece, and they all come! As you can imagine, Donna is incredibly surprised to see them all again, and hijinks ensue.

The three possible fathers are Pierce Brosnan’s Sam, Colin Firth’s Harry and Stellan Skarsgard’s Bill (ugh, I still can’t get over how good the Mamma Mia cast is!). By the time the first movie and the sequel ends, we still have no idea which one is Sophie’s biological father, and it’s never been officially revealed. Pierce Brosnan recently shared that a third movie could finally divulge this information as chatter continues for Mamma Mia 3 – including questions about how the heck Meryl Streep would come back, but I honestly don't want to know.

Look I get why it’s interesting to people to theorize who Sophie’s actual dad is. I just read a Reddit thread that attempted to math it all out down to the day, but the more I’ve watched it I’ve personally given up on it, because I think knowing who the dad is actually missing the point of the movies.

I Think Something Else Is More Interesting Than Which One Her Dad Is

So technically if the movie was actually interested in telling us about Sophie’s dad, they’d have all the men take DNA tests, and there the answer would be, but notice how that’s never happened? I think it’s because the writers know that it’s more interesting that Sophie bringing Donna’s flings together to Greece and them all becoming this weird found family is way more interesting. I love how Bill ends up with Donna’s friend Rosie, and Donna and Sam end up falling back in love as a result of the whole thing. And, Harry might have a thing with Petros?

I think one of the reasons why I love this movie so much, is how it handles its three dads. The movie actually celebrates Donna being sexually adventurous and having multiple lovers when she was young, and her life turning into this dreamlike musical ride even though she was single and without a partner for most of her life.

It’s very rare for a piece of media to turn a young woman’s sexual coming-of-age this way. While sure, each of the men must be curious about which one of them it is, I love more how they become good friends with each other and everyone in Donna’s circle, and they all kind of mentally adopt Sophie because they were each charmed by Donna so much in their younger years. It totally defies the common trope of men walking out on women they randomly get pregnant, and it just makes for such a fun storyline. None of them actually raised Sophie anyway, but knowing they all stepped up when she needed them kind of make them all her dads, and that's sweeter to me than one of them being the dad.

Anyway, I’m sure I’ll be watching Mamma Mia again for the millionth time soon, and not bothering with this dad debate.

Cowboys, gunslingers, and revenge stories still captivated critics and audiences in the western genre. This past year, we had the Peter Dinklage-led western The Thicket with an 80% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, and Ari Aster’s upcoming western movie, Eddington, already had a 66% critics score before its July release. As for Samuel L. Jackson and Pierce Brosnan’s new western, The Unholy Trinity, it’s insane the huge dichotomy between what critics and audiences say about it.

The 2025 movie release of The Unholy Trinity follows a mysterious figure (Samuel L. Jackson) and a new sheriff (Pierce Brosnan) who gets caught up in a young man on a quest to murder the man who led to his framed father’s execution. Based on the film’s trailer, we see what’s typical of an 1870s-set backdrop of mountain landscapes, saloons, and gunslinging action on horseback.

Rotten Tomatoes' contested scoring process marks a movie with a “Fresh” or “Rotten” score, as determined by a range of critics’ reviews. While an audience’s score has always been there, the site’s brand new popcornmeter is taking what audiences say more seriously with its “Hot” or “Stale” scale. In the case of The Unholy Trinity on Rotten Tomatoes, the dichotomy between critics and audiences is huge, receiving a “Rotten” 17% from the critics, but a 66% from its verified audience.

Based on 18 critics’ reviews, two reviews felt The Unholy Trinity was more for a straight-to-VOD or a television-made movie compared to a theatrical release. Many felt it didn’t offer anything original to the western genre, with a couple of critics reacting with the term “blasphemy.”

Audiences, however, had a more positive spin on the new western. While many expressed disappointment in many plot points being left unexplored, plenty were impressed with the cast, its action sequences, and found it an entertaining western.

Make an early call yourself after watching the trailer below.

This wouldn’t be the first time that critics and audiences haven’t been in agreement on Rotten Tomatoes. Movies like Jumper, Bullet Train, Waiting…, and more have had differing scales of critics and audience scores. In terms of the latest movies that have come out, fans and critics were not on the same page with A Minecraft Movie, with a 48% critics score and an 85% audience score. While the Lilo and Stitch remake received good reviews all around, critics didn’t like the Disney movie as much as audiences did, which was verified as “Hot” on the popcornmeter with a 93% audience rating, but a 72% critics rating. It proves right there that critics and audiences have very different visions of what makes a good movie worth watching.

The hugely contrasting opinions critics and audiences are having over Samuel L. Jackson and Pierce Brosnan’s new movie are incredible. The Unholy Trinity may have felt unoriginal to critics, but it looks like audiences were still entertained by what they saw. Sometimes, a solid cast and spectacular action sequences are clearly enough to win audiences over and give them a good time in theaters.

If you want to see why audiences are favoring the new western-crime movie, make sure to catch The Unholy Trinity in theaters now.

Fans fell in love with the ABBA jukebox musical-turned-movie Mamma Mia! back in 2008. Part musical, part mystery (and a ton of fun), the story of Donna Sheridan , her daughter,Sophie, and three mystery fathers was a hit. Many have been awaiting the franchise's possible threeque (no official green light yet), but plenty of tidbits have been shared. Pierce Brosnan is the latest of those who’ve been dropping some big hints for 3, and I don’t know how I feel about his.

We’ve seen plenty advocating for the junior installment long before the 2025 movie schedule, but with no public results. Amanda Seyfried's ongoing determination, aswell asCher's optimistic feelings and wish involving Meryl Streep, along with a MM producer’s promising update, have all pushed the want more. Within the past week, some news stories have come to light about MM3, including Brosnan’s highlight in THR.

Pierce Brosnan Teases A Major Reveal For Mamma Mia 3

The James Bond alum spoke to the publication about his new 2025 TV guide show, Showtime's MobLand. During the conversation, the MM discourse about who Sophie’s biological father is, and the 72-year-old remained tight-lipped. He shared that it’d be better to find out while watching MM3 than for him to spill the beans:

Wow, wow, wow. Firstly, I’m glad we aren’t learning of who Sophie’s pop is through an interview. And, I know many debate about who Donna Sheridan’s biological baby daddy could be since the Broadway musical. But I didn’t know that there were plans to reveal it at all, and I’m not sure how I feel about the purported choice. Though the statement does hint that 3 will be confirmed eventually.

Why I'm Torn About This Possible Mamma Mia 3 Reveal

Learning definitively who Sophie is related to is an interesting possibility. While one part of me thinks that some of the OG vibe of the jukebox musical would be detracted from it, if it were revealed, it’ll be surprising to see who and how they reveal it. Naturally, you can’t go wrong with Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth or Stellan Skarsgård’s characters.

Why I keep pingponging, though, is related to why they feel they have to do it, outside of letting the characters have the peace of mind. For me, franchises have mixed bag results more often than not, especially as they continue down the line. And if this plot point is what they chose to stand on, it could be a home run or a full flop. I’ll be covering my eyes and fingers crossed as we wait and see.

As this year goes on, I’m sure we’ll continue to hear more Mamma Mia 3 developments. Just this week, talk of Sabrina Carpenter joining the ranks, a potential TV show and a scheduled return to the stage for the world.

As for who Sophie’s dad is, it remains a mystery for now. Thanks to Brosnan for the existential teaser that’ll be rolling around in the back of my head regardless of its production. If you want to start taking notes about who her actual father may be, stream the first two with a Hulu subscription or Peacock subscription.

Robin Williams has to be one of the most beloved celebrities, maybe ever. The mark he left on the world, both in Hollywood and among his fans, is unmatched. It seems everybody who ever worked with Williams looks back on the time fondly, but I’m not sure anybody had quite the experience that Pierce Brosnan did on Mrs. Doubtfire.

A great deal has been said over the years about the way Robin Williams would riff on the set of Mrs. Doubtfire. There have been claims in the past that there’s an NC-17 rated cut of the film, when what there really are, are outtakes of Williams going off script and apparently getting quite dirty. While participating in a segment with Vanity Fair, Pierce Brosnan confirmed that while filming a scene involving his and Williams' characters in the restaurant near the end of the film, the comedian's language was decidedly not PG-13. It ultimately led to the eventual James Bond star laughing hysterically. Brosnan recalled…

The scene in question sees Brosnan’s Stuart Dunmeyer and Mrs. Doubtfire a.k.a. Daniel Hillard left alone at the restaurant table, where Doubtfire suggests that the jewelry Sally Field’s character, Miranda, was just given was an attempt to get her in bed. The lines Williams uses are already pretty risque, but he apparently went even further off, pushing the limits of what the movie could use.

One of the reasons Mrs. Doubtfire is still a popular movie, and one of the most iconic Robin Williams movies ever, is the incredible makeup work that transformed Williams into the titlular character. The work would win the movie an Oscar, and it turns out Pierce Brosnan only ever saw the actor in the makeup. Believe it or not, their first meeting was an absolutely wild experience where he met a strange combination of Williams and Doubtfire that sounds hilarious but also mildly terrifying. Brosnan explained…

Many people who knew Williams have spoken about just how great a person he was. Some of the Mrs. Doubtfire cast members have spoken about just how wonderful the comedian was on set. Pierce Brosnan adds himself to that list. It’s clear that Williams left a great impression on the actor from their brief time together. He continued…

Chris Columbus' 1993 film remained so popular that there was even talk of a Mrs. Doubtfire 2 before the untimely death of Robin Williams. Certainly, it'd be difficult to do a true sequel without Williams.

As a fan of Mrs. Doubtfire, who, as a teenager, stood outside the restaurant while the finale of the movie was filmed, trying to get a glimpse of the star, I would love to get my hands on the “reams of footage” that we’ll likely never get to see. As funny as the finished film is, it sounds like the stuff we didn't get see is what made the experience truly special for Pierce Brosnan and others.

If you’ve been keeping a proper eye on the 2025 movie schedule, then you know that Pierce Brosnan has been keeping busy. The recently released film Black Bag and the Paramount+ series MobLand has kept the seasoned actor well occupied as of late. All the while, he's also shared some thoughts on his approach to 007 as fans continue to wait for has come up in anticipation of the upcoming James Bond 26.

Even today, fans still discuss Brosnan’s 007 movies. Now, the man himself is sharing how he balanced his portrayal between the tones of his storied predecessors. But another note he provided has me appreciating his four-film run even more, while wishing it lasted longer.

Pierce Brosnan's Goldeneye Influences Rightfully Centered On Sean Connery And Roger Moore

Vanity Fair’s Scene Selection series welcomed Pierce Brosnan to discuss highlights from throughout his career. And, of course, when it comes to the Irish actor, it's not uncommon for Commander Bond to come up at some point in a conversation. So, when in the hot seat for this round of questioning, the Goldeneye star shared this golden memory:

If there is one thing that's commendable about Pierce Brosnan’s tenure in the tuxedo, besides the crafting of stronger female roles in James Bond’s history, it’d be the very mix he mentioned above. The danger and fighting prowess of Sean Connery, crossed with the wit of Roger Moore’s more cavalier 00-agent, is a sweet spot that serves the character well, in my opinion.

Though if we really want to go deep cut, I think some of that George Lazenby energy is definitely present in certain scenes of Tomorrow Never Dies and The World is Not Enough. Which only "lets in" notes of Timothy Dalton, by default.

Even when the balance didn’t work, like in 2002’s infamous Die Another Day, Brosnan was always intriguing to watch in one of cinema’s most coveted roles. Yet what really took me by surprise was another shade of influence that’s not readily shown on screen - and one that kind of has me nostalgic on so many levels.

I Had No Clue How Much Ian Fleming Influenced Pierce Brosnan's Bond

When discussing the character of James Bond, various actors highlight certain aspects they like or don’t like about his iconography. For instance, Sir Roger Moore played his version a bit campier on the basis that he didn’t like the “cold blooded killer type” Ian Fleming’s original creation represented.

That sort of thing always has to be reckoned with when it comes to stepping into a project like Goldeneye, especially when it’s meant to relaunch this series after a lengthy gap. It's incredibly admirable that Pierce Brosnan wanted to cross those influences in his corner of the 007 legacy. However, Brosnan's further reflection represents something even more valuable:

What surprises me here isn’t that Brosnan read 007’s 1953 origin story, but rather that he directly cited it as a source in his portrayal. If anyone’s best known for hammering home the importance of “returning to Fleming,” it’s most notably Timothy Dalton. But the Mamma Mia! actor absolutely has the enigmatic air of Bond, especially his lack of a proper past, down to a tee.

Also, considering Pierce Brosnan was almost cast in The Living Daylights, I now have a desire to peer into the alternate universe in which that happened - just to see the results. However, if I did, that’d take my focus off of catching up with MobLand, which sees a very villainous Brosnan turn being dealt every Sunday on Paramount+.

My musings on that topic aside, though, it's wonderful to hear Brosnan's cerebral thoughts on the character of James Bond. There's a reason people still hold his portrayal in high regard, and I'd definitely argue that he left his mark on the 007 legacy as Sean Connery and Roger Moore did before him.

Pierce Brosnan is known for playing one of the most iconic characters of all time, James Bond. He may have just been the perfect man for role, as he's handsome, charming and well-dressed. The air of mystery he naturally exuded also made him a great fit for the part. More recently, though, Brosnan is now being fancast for the role of Albus Dumbledore ahead of Max's Harry Potter series. Apparently, that's something Brosnan himself has thought about, and it's actually become something of a joke.

The now-71-year-old actor opened up to The Telegraph about the idea of playing the iconic wizard character in the upcoming series. Fans started pushing the idea on Reddit when a number of dapper photos from a fashion campaign for Kith and Giorgio Armani were released. The photos in question show Brosnan with snowy gray hair and a beard while wearing clothes that are well tailored and styled for an academia atmosphere. Brosnan was enthusiastic when sharing his take on taking over the iconic role:

I can totally see it. This Dumbledore would definitely be a departure from the whimsy portrayals by Richard Harris and Michael Gambon in the Harry Potter movies, and I don't mean that negatively. Brosnan would bring a more serious, intimidating tone to the character, instead of the gentler version we see in the original movies. A more grizzled and somewhat hardened Dumbledore would certainly make for a fresh approach to the beloved character.

Aside from the general idea of Pierce Brosnan donning the Elder Wand, what I really love that this has become a running joke amongst the actor's family. While he no longer resembles the 007 archetype, his look and image opens up new doors for new kinds of characters. Ironically, the Brosnans have been calling this his “Dumbledore years":

I think it’s awesome that Brosnan would be open to the Dumbledore thing, or at least a role like it. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem that he'll get the chance, as John Lithgow has already been cast in the part. Similarly, Lithgow had a revenant reaction to the casting, and he's called Dumbledore the “last big” part he will likely play in his career. While some who were rooting for Brosnan might feel disappointed, fans have still been supportive of Lithgow, who admittedly more accurately matches the description of Dumbledore in the books.

Even though Brosnan won't be able to play the powerful Wizarding World character as he enters his “Dumbledore years,” I’m still excited to see what he does next. Also, there are still plenty of roles in the franchise that could be suited for Brosnan like Mr. Ollivander, Professor Slughorn or even one of the Ministers of Magic. There are plenty of possibilities, and I'll be keeping my fingers crossed the Brosnan lands a role.

Max's Harry Potter series is still in the casting/ pre-production stage and is set to debut sometime in late 2026 or early 2027. In the meantime, Potter fans can revisit the original movies now with a Max subscription.

The world of Ian Fleming’s James Bond is big. With six decades and counting, the suave secret agent has played host to many actors who’ve taken on the spy suit and said the unmistakable introductory line. One of the most popular stars behind 007, Pierce Brosnan, recalled when it was his first time delivering the infamous six-word sentence in one of the best '90s action movies.

As one of the most signature elements of Bond’s aura, the cool hello made its debut at the jump with Dr. No in 1962. With each new star, they make the greeting all their own, so let's set the stage a little for the Irish actor. Before James Bond 26 buzz and major JB franchise changes a la Amazon buying MGM (Bond’s longtime home company), 30 years ago it to Brosnan’s first entry GoldenEye. It’s 1995, and the star already recognized what a pivotal moment in the 007 franchise it was, but like anyone playing the eponymous character, he kept his cool.

Pierce Brosnan Remembers Saying The Iconic Line For The First Time

Via journalist Jake Hamilton's Instagram, the 2025 TV guide MobLand actor recounted the moment where it was time to say, ‘Bond, James Bond.’ The A-lister vet jumped into the exact scene and day on set that it went down.

What a small but monumental moment for cinematic history. Like many, Brosnan was my initial Bond, and he indoctrinated a whole new generation of fans into the franchise. Not only that, but he helped jump the six-year gap between Timothy Dalton’s last (License to Kill) and continued to live up to previous performances for existing fans. It’s all too good that the Mamma Mia! alum seems to be so Bond-like in his recounting.

The host then asked whether or not he had practiced the line ahead of time before his A+ delivery. Brosnan had a little more realistic answer for that:

Not as 007, but practice does guarantee a better effort for the final product, and that it did. I just can’t believe that GoldenEye was a full thirty years ago. On top of that, the franchise itself is over double that age and still as popular as ever.

The Brief Overview Of All James Bond Actors And The Illustrious Franchise

There’s no question that everyone has their favorite James Bond movies or even favorite 007, but as it stands, the longstanding legacy is no joke. There have been seven official iterations of the secret agent, twenty-seven movies, and a nice showing of awards–all of which are available with a Hulu subscription. Below is a minimal recap of actors and which movies they starred in starting from the beginning:

• Barry Nelson, 1954 (1): (for TV but noted as first person portraying Bond) Climax!’s Casino Royale episode.
• Sean Connery, 1962 – 1967, 1971, *1983 (unofficial, outside of EON) (7): Dr. No, From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, Never Say Never Again*
• David Niven, 1967 (2nd non EON) (1): Casino Royale
• George Lazenby, 1969 (1): On Her Majesty's Secret Service
• Roger Moore, 1973-1985 (7): Live and Let Die, The Man with the Golden Gun, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker, For Your Eyes Only, Octopussy, A View to Kill
• Timothy Dalton, 1987-1989 (2): The Living Daylights, Licence to Kill
• Pierce Brosnan, 1995-2002 (4): GoldEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough, Die Another Day
• Daniel Craig, 2006-2021 (5): Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, Spectre, No Time to Die

While the past list (for the most part) has been in the same, long-standing hands, like the Broccoli family and EON productions, the future of the franchise is now being questioned with Amazon MGM.

What’s Lies Ahead For The Next Bond, James Bond Movie?

The future of Bond has been followed and covered closely since Amazon purchased MGM in the early 2020s. Naturally, watching many notable chances and exits, including Baraba Broccoli’s, makes some fans like me uneasy. Though, with Pascal & Heyman’s recent hiring, things could be looking up, especially with the streamer giant weighing in with apparent 007 plans and having decided to fast-track 26, with a projected 2027 release. As of last week, it seems like JB26 is reportedly on the move into production with plenty of speculation as to what's to come.

As of this posting, there are no confirmed performers poised to snag the keys to the Aston Martin just yet. There are plenty of rumors floating around that could pull rank with Craig, Connery or Brosnan.

Whoever it may be, hopefully, they will be able to deliver that classic Bond line (and remember it) as well as the GoldenEye star did.

SPOILER ALERT: The following article discusses Pierce Brosnan’s character on MobLand in depth, so if you have not used your Paramount+ subscription to check out the series yet, don’t say I didn’t warn you as you continue to read on.

People have been voicing their thoughts about MobLand online, and many have been saying the same thing: Pierce Brosnan’s Irish accent sucks. Well, to that I have three responses: the actor is from Ireland; his fellow Irish co-star, Lisa Dwan, told Parade that she found his Kerry accent “authentic;” and why not do what I did and watch the show with subtitles and get over it?

Even if I was at all perturbed by Brosnan’s dialect in the new Paramount+ original TV show – a star-studded crime drama from creator Ronan Bennett, featuring two episodes directed by Guy Ritchie – I think it would have very little effect on my overall enjoyment of his performance. In fact, he’s the top reason I plan to continue watching MobLand every Sunday.

Pierce Brosnan Is A Great, Cold-Blooded Mob Boss

MobLand is the story of a brewing conflict between two rival London crime families, one of which is led by Conrad Harrigan (Brosnan). The Irishman proves his ruthlessness in the series’ opening scene, in which he gives his fixer, Harry Da Souza (Tom Hardy), permission to take out two long-serving associates and their respective crews for being “rotten apples,” as he describes.

Harrigan even personally finishes the job on one of the dying men by stepping on his throat as he chokes on his own blood. There are plenty more moments in the first episode alone that demonstrate how the veteran gangster pulls absolutely no punches in terms of intimidation and merciless violence. Quite frankly, this is the kind of crime boss portrayal that I long for from gangster movies and TV shows, and I cannot get enough of Brosnan’s cold approach to the role.

The Performance Is Especially Engaging To Me As A Person Who Grew Up With Brosnan's Bond

I believe the reason why Brosnan’s wicked performance in MobLand has put such an impression on me is because I am not used to seeing him play a bad guy. In fact, he is typically the first person I picture when I think of the James Bond movies.

I am a child of the ‘90s, so it probably goes without saying that he was the first actor I ever saw playing 007. On top of that, Brosnan’s Bond movies are a key component to my upbringing as a cinephile. Thus, watching the actor invoke a kind of persona that is anything but a noble hero is almost earth-shattering to me, but in the best way possible. Now, I am curious to seek out any other sinister roles from his filmography because, with MobLand, he has certainly left me shaken and stirred.

Despite Conrad Harrigan's utter volatility, Brosnan shared with Yahoo! UK that he does not see his MobLand role as a villain. Perhaps that is the secret to playing a bad guy: believe you are a good one.

The 2025 TV schedule is proof of concept that class-act Oscar winner Helen Mirren can easily hold her own as a bonafide TV star, thanks to captivating roles on Yellowstone’s prequel 1923 and the gangster drama MobLand (both streaming with a Paramount+ subscription). She co-stars in the latter with fellow movie-and-TV fixture Pierce Brosnan, giving viewers an idea of what they’d have looked like as James Bond and M, though Mirren’s comments about the spy character’s perceived sexism squashed those ideals.

And if anyone thinks Brosnan was going to be the one to stand up and oppose his co-star by going to bat for the Ian Fleming creation, think again. Let’s take a closer look at what was said.

Helen Mirren Calls Out James Bond's Sexism

While on the press tour for MobLand, Helen Mirren spoke with The Standard about working with Pierce Brosnan again 45 years after they both co-starred in the 1980 gangster flick The Long Good Friday. The topic of Bond arose, in particular the franchise's shift in ownership to Amazon MGM, where Amy Pascal and David Heyman are now in charge as the company's Jennifer Salke all but made her exit. And The Queen star didn't exactly try to fake her fandom. As she put it:

To be sure, the actress shared her immense respect and appreciation for Pierce Brosnan himself, and she also gave a kind shout out to Daniel Craig, saying they're both very lovely and gracious people. But such compliments don't extend towards the shared character they played. As she put it:

Notably, Helen Mirren is related to a former Bond Girl, as she's cousins with Goldfinger co-star Tania Mallet, who portrayed Tilly Masterson. It's unclear if Mallet's experiences on the film had anything to do with Mirren's current opinions, but I can imagine that the dozens of Bond films that followed Goldfinger probably also played a part.

Pierce Brosnan Reacts To The James Bond Comments

Having portrayed the smooth-talking, martini-drinking spy mastermind across four different James Bond movies in the '90s and early '00s, Pierce Brosnan wouldn't be blamed if he felt defensive about the iconic character being taken down a peg for his womanizing. However, the actor didn't seem to be rebuffed in the slightest when People asked for his take on her comments. He championed her in saying:

I mean, who can blame him? I sure as hell wouldn't want to publicly disagree with Helen Mirren, even if she was just saying she thinks Bond should have had his martinis stirred instead of shaken. I'd just want to provide a box full of stirrers.

Still, Brosnan didn't go on record saying he was fully aligned with his MobLand co-star's feelings, pointing out that the super-spy's on-screen behavior regarding women is, if nothing else, a sign of faithful for the source material. He continued, saying:

As he said, though, there's room to move around beneath that fictionalized umbrella, so perhaps the future of James Bond media will see the sharp-dressed hero become more of a softer-edged and more compassionate ladies man, as opposed to adhering squarely to his boozing and schmoozing ways.

We'll have to wait and see how that plays out, though, . Meanwhile, be sure to catch both Mirren and Brosnan on MobLand, which fans had immediate reactions to, when new episodes hit Paramount+ every Sunday.

If you’re someone who enjoys learning about the movie-making process, you certainly know by now that it’s usually not as thrilling as we might imagine it to be, and can even be downright weird at times. This is particularly true when it comes to filming sex scenes. While they can be fun to watch, they generally require the actors to be in some pretty odd situations. Apparently, that was true for Rosamund Pike as she worked with Pierce Brosnan on Die Another Day, which was the 20th James Bond movie, and led to her first experience with “things like nipple covers.”

What Did Die Another Day Star Rosamund Pike Say About Filming Sex Scenes With Pierce Brosnan?

Die Another Day was the fourth and last of Pierce Brosnan’s 007 movies, but the 2002 film was the very first movie that Rosamund Pike worked on. She’s spoken before about being uneducated in the ways of Bond prior to stepping into the role of the double-crossing Miranda Frost, but just went into some additional details while talking to actor David Tennant on his podcast.

Seeing as how it was the first movie the 22-year-old actress had done, she’d had no experience with sex scenes, and while the 52-year-old Brosnan “couldn’t have been lovelier,” it did lead to some hilariously unexpected anxiety on Pike’s part. After noting "I discovered things like nipple covers," she said:

For those who haven’t seen the film in a long time, this happens after the ice palace party in Bond’s…ice palace bedroom. They strip down rather unceremoniously while chatting and get into his…giant ice swan bed, which is covered in furs and such because it must be mighty cold in there. The scene required that the Gone Girl star’s lady bits be covered in tape, but it seemingly ripped more and more hairs out of Brosnan’s chest each time they did a take. She continued:

Pike was able to laugh about it all now, but I simply don’t know if I can think of a weirder situation to be in as an actor. Not only was she working on her first movie, but then the Wheel of Time actress was naked with someone she had to make out with on camera, and thought she was ripping out his chest hair, to boot.

This is the kind of thing that might make someone swear off movie-making for at least a few years. However, it’s no wonder why Pike got the part (especially after declining to strip down for her audition), because she stayed just as cool and collected as Ms. Frost, did her job and, thankfully, realized pretty quickly that the blankets were to blame for all that fur-covered nipple tape. And, now she’s got a funny story she can look back on, on top of a movie experience that launched her career. No harm, no foul, I suppose.

There’s always room for surprises on the 2025 TV schedule, even if said shows have been scheduled for some time. For clarity, I'm not saying the actual arrival of executive producer Guy Ritchie’s new Paramount+ subscription booster, MobLand , is unexpected. What I'm referring to is the buzz the series is garnering from the public.

Starring Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan, and Helen Mirren, the program debuted its first episode this past Sunday. Now, the conversation is already turning towards what we should expect in the future. With the first episode, “Stick or Twist,” now out in the open, potential fans have started to chime in with how they feel about the Ritchie-directed pilot. As you can see below, the handful of reactions we’re presenting seem to have a very similar sticking point:

• “They made a show with Pierce Brosnan as an East London mob boss and Tom Hardy as his enforcer, and it's GOOD” - @KongoZande
• “If you aren't watching this series, then what are you doing???” - @karmajulio3
• “Watched the premier of #MobLand on #ParamountPlus starring Helen Mirren, Tom Hardy and Pierce Bronson. I will say not bad at all. I can see this getting better each and every episode.” - @Patrici26843477
• “Love how the Paramount Execs just said put everyone associated with British Gangster Series/Movies in our show. Director of Snatch etc. Creator of Top Boy. Star of Legend etc. Enjoyed the #Mobland premiere tonight. A fun series ahead.” - @LMWrites
• “Okay, I watched the first episode of the #MobLand series, and it was good. It really made me eager to see the next episodes. And I want to address the "slow pace" that critics have been talking about.” - @DemonsFall

That last comment is the first of two tweets that jumps in on the point that the long con is where MobLand may shine the brightest. Top Boy writer/creator Ronan Bennett’s 10-episode season could certainly turn out to be something special, and the slow burn could help make this into the sort of hit that has staying power.

Even more enthusiastically, this could become one of the best Paramount+ shows to have ever hit the network. Who knows, should this connect with audiences, it could become a new Yellowstone-sized hit. The big difference being you'll probably have to learn a new piece of slang that equates to "take 'em to the train station" in this universe.

MobLand’s ensemble is composed of an impressive range of actors and creatives, especially with the most prominent trio pictured front and center. With Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan playing the heads of the Harrigan crime family, and Tom Hardy as their loyal enforcer, our dramatic leads seem to be playing out a gang war of sorts.

So, of course, those sorts of things take time, with tons of aggressions, retaliations and misinterpretations just waiting to happen. With that in mind, take a look at the trailer for Ronan Bennett's show provided below:

It’s a project that could be a nexus point of sorts, considering former 007 portrayer Brosnan is working with previous James Bond betting odds favorite Hardy in a way that feels very close to the sort of dynamic you’d see between M and Commander Bond. The odds of the man who was once tapped to star in a defunct adaptation of Splinter Cell slipping into that famed tuxedo may see a bit of a rise.

It also doesn’t hurt that Hardy’s long-awaited Netflix film, Havoc, is also making its way into the world. Which strangely enough will overlap a bit with MobLand’s Season 1 run, as it’s set to end on June 1st. Some may see that as a bit of a conflict in the streaming war that is “Paramount+ vs. Netflix." However, if anything, loyal viewers set to follow this series’ journey into potential streaming glory will probably make it a bit of a double feature event.

That doesn’t sound too far off as this first chapter has hooked people in, and we’ll need to keep a close eye on where things head next. So, if you’re looking to join in on the MobLand fun, head over to Paramount+ and watch that series premiere, so you’re ready for new episodes to drop on a weekly basis every Sunday.

Admittedly, the James Bond franchise is not for everyone, and even fans can see why. For as successfully as the legendary spy fiction character has navigated the modern world of fiction, the pedigree of Ian Fleming’s mythic creation does have some less fantastic elements. The 2025 movie schedule has seen the franchise looking towards the future, and while some might want to fan cast Helen Mirren as James Bond 26’s M, you probably shouldn’t hold your breath - as she’s not a fan.

Talking with The Standard about her new series MobLand, Dame Mirren addressed the recent 007 developments at Amazon-MGM Studios, and in that conversation came the following admission:

Playing the head of a drug trading mob outfit, with Brosnan as her husband, the Paramount+ subscription driver freshly premiered over the weekend. So of course, with the fifth man to have played James Bond in the mix, these feelings seemed primed to be revealed at one point or another.

Her reasons for not being turned off by the 007 legacy are facets that some may see as integral to the series DNA. With the next era of the character on the horizon, some people wonder if James Bond should be a harsher character, much as his literary origins dictate. In her further remarks of displeasure with 007, The Queen star provided that context as follows:

Decades of James Bond movies have tried to undo the seemingly default legacy of 00-womanizing, hard drinking, and casual sexism, and there have been some interesting results. But that doesn’t erase the fact that the earlier days of films like Goldfinger suggesting moments of coercion over consent have been part of the discourse for more than a minute.

To be honest, Helen Mirren has had her own Bond-adjacent fun in the world of cinema, thanks to projects like RED and the Fast and Furious movies putting her into some pretty spectacular action. So even if there was a hypothetical offer on the table, the icon who brought Magdalene Shaw to life probably wouldn’t feel like that’s a specific itch that needs to be scratched.

The overall win we should take from this story is that Dame Helen Mirren continues to be a force to be reckoned with, both on and off screen. And in the latter context, you can catch her with Pierce Brosnan, Tom Hardy, and a cast of other notables on MobLand.

That series recently launched its first episode, with additional installments dropping every Sunday, on Paramount+. Though if you’ve been following her work against former 007 Timothy Dalton on the Yellowstone spinoff 1923, you probably knew that by now.

While it’s likely to be a while before we see the 26th James Bond film, there is a new spy movie out this weekend with not only the likes of former 007 Pierce Brosnan, but two actors who have been in the conversation before for the role. Michael Fassbender and Regé-Jean Page co-star as British agents. When they shared their experiences working with Brosnan, Fassbender had a Bond joke that’s too good not to share.

Ahead of the theatrical Black Bag release date this Friday, March 14, the movie from director Steven Soderbergh has already earned positive buzz from critics (and our Black Bag review gave the movie 4.5 out of 5 stars). But here’s Michael Fassbender’s jokey review of working alongside Pierce Brosnan:

Michael Fassbender is such a good actor that I almost believe it, but knowing the actor’s fun-loving approach to interviews, including my slot with him, I’m willing to bet that there is not a guy named Keith that walks next to Pierce Brosnan wherever he goes to play the iconic 007 theme song. It would be pretty funny if it was.

During our interview, Regé-Jean Page also threw in his experience having Brosnan playing the director of the intelligence agency his character James Stokes works with in the film. As he shared:

Cate Blanchett had something similar to say in our interview with her. She said the “temperature just changed in the room” when he came on set for their scenes. Talk about a treat for the actors, filmmakers and crew! Pierce Brosnan has certainly been no stranger to action films since saying goodbye to 007 back in 2002 with Die Another Day, but there’s something particularly special about seeing him in one of the 2025 movies set in the world of spy thrillers as a completely different character – and alongside some heavy hitters who fans have hoped might be the next Bond, James Bond following Daniel Craig.

Black Bag follows a husband and wife who are both spies, played by Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett. But when Blanchett’s Kathryn is suspected to have committed treason, Fassbender’s George investigates what she may be up to from the inside. The movie also features Naomie Harris, who famously played Eve Moneypenny in Craig’s Bond movies, Furiosa’s Tom Burke and Back To Black’s Marisa Abela.

The most recent update on James Bond is Amazon-MGM has taken over control of the franchise following longtime producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli announcing they are stepping down. Check out Black Bag in theaters this Friday for an original espionage story.

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

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

1989 - 1995: License To Kill…And Resurrect

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

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

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

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

2002 - 2006: James Bond Dies Another Day

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nothing has been confirmed at this point, but judging by the big tease during the Back in Action ending, there's certainly potential for a sequel, especially with the tease at the ending. And while I could go on a long spiel about what I think will happen in the follow-up to the remarkably popular Netflix movie, I instead want to focus on who I think could play Cameron Diaz’s on-screen dad (remember, his existence was teased just before the credits rolled?).

Considering the information provided throughout the movie about Diaz’s character, the fact that Glenn Close played her, and decades of watching all kinds of action and spy franchises, I’ve come up with a list of what I think are the best options. Here are my top picks for Back in Action 2 if the 2025 Netflix movie gets the teased sequel.

Gary Oldman

Gary Oldman is probably the most obvious choice to play Emily’s dad in Back in Action 2, but that doesn’t mean he’s a bad option. With plenty of experience in the world of spies – Slow Horses is one of the best Apple TV+ originals, and his performance in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is underrated – and the ability to balance humor, drama, and action, this Academy Award winner would be tremendous.

I’m just over here imagining not only Oldman’s character and Emily having some kind of reunion after decades apart, but also the potential awkwardness of Matt meeting a father-in-law he never knew existed. Hell, just give me those two on some adventure and I’ll be happy.

Michael Douglas

Even though Emily’s mom, Ginny Curtis, played by Glenn Close, is British in Back in Action, it’s never mentioned if her father is a Brit or an American. That leaves the door open for all kinds of possibilities. One American actor I’d love to see enter the picture is Michael Douglas, who would be absolutely incredible as a long-lost father who probably has more tricks up his sleeves than years away from his daughter.

I'm not saying Back in Action 2 has to be some "what if" sequel to Fatal Attraction, in which Dan Gallagher and Alex Forrest had a daughter, but it would be great to see Douglas and Close share the screen again.

Pierce Brosnan

Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond used some ridiculous gadgets during his tenure as cinema’s most famous spy, and some of us have been waiting more than 20 years to see the beloved actor get back into the spy game. I would love to see Brosnan show up as Emily’s dad in a possible Back in Action sequel because there are just so many places the spy comedy could go.

Imagine this… Back in Action 2: Dads in Action, which would involve Brosnan and Jamie Foxx’s Matt having to team up to save Emily and/or their kids (I’m over here just laughing at a former spy loosely based on 007 coming to terms with being a grandfather). It probably won’t happen, but maybe I can manifest it.

Kevin Kline

Kevin Kline and Glenn Close were amazing together in The Big Chill. While a Back in Action sequel probably isn’t the best way for the two to share the screen again after 40-plus years, it could be a lot of fun, albeit a little absurd. Kevin Kline is one of those actors who can be great in just about anything, even when a movie is a honker like Wild Wild West, and generally seems to have a good time no matter the project.

After watching Kline’s work on Disclaimer, one of my favorite TV thrillers of 2024, I’m convinced he could pull off a British accent if they made the character from across the pond like Emily’s mom; they could also make him more dramatic and deranged like his small-screen character.

Kurt Russell

There are a lot of badass Kurt Russell characters from the actor’s decades-long career, and I think he’d be perfect for a silly spy-action comedy like Back in Action. If a sequel is made, it would be wild to see the man who brought Snake Plisken and R.J. MacReady to life play a spy who has been doing God knows what for the past 30 or so years.

He’s got the action chops, he has great comedic timing, and he’s charming as all hell, which makes Russell one of my top choices for the role of Emily’s dad. I would love to see him trading barbs with Cameron Diaz on screen, flirting with Glenn Close’s Ginny, or having awkward conversations with Nigel (Jamie Demetriou) about who’s the real “granddad.”

Michael Keaton

The list of great Michael Keaton quotes could get a little bit longer if the former Batman actor were brought in for Back in Action 2 (Bat in Action, anyone? No?). The prolific actor has a dynamic range and a mystique that you don’t see all that much, and he has long shown that he can be as crazy as can be whenever needed. That kind of energy would be perfect for a movie like this.

With roles like Beetlejuice, Keaton has proven he can be funny and lovable even when being a little evil and condescending, and all of those traits would mesh well with the characters who have already been introduced so far.

Antonio Banderas

I’m not just including Antonio Banderas as an option because I think it would make for a great Shrek reunion with Cameron Diaz, but I’m not saying that’s not one of the reasons, either. It would be hilarious to see Princess Fiona and Puss in Boots channel some of that energy for a live-action movie ahead of the release of Shrek 5, and I think they could make a funny father-daughter pairing.

Banderas, who has been great in action movies, comedies, dramas, thrillers, and pretty much every genre (yes, even musicals), could add a lot to the cast of the Netflix movie and give audiences a hilarious new character.

Jonathan Pryce

And then there is Jonathan Pryce, who has the acting chops to hold his own when sharing the screen with Glenn Close (as he showed in The Wife). Like Gary Oldman, Pryce has experience in the spy world, with his most recent offering also being Slow Horses. If he could channel that energy and make it a little bit more comedic, it could be hilarious. But on second thought, having Pryce be the straight guy in the mix could be even funnier.

Regardless of the direction the character would take, Back in Action 2 would be a lot better with someone like Pryce being a part of the cast.

Who knows when we’ll see the Back in Action sequel, or who’ll play Cameron Diaz’s on-screen dad? While we wait, there are plenty of great 2025 movies streaming for anyone with a Netflix subscription, with more on the way.

Stream Back in Action on Netflix.

Halle Berry fans are having a good time with the 2024 movie schedule, as the iconic star has two movies ready to wow the crowd. At the same time, the Academy Award winner’s fanbase continues to fondly look back on her time in projects such as the legacy of James Bond movies. As a huge fan of 007’s adventures myself, as well as an admirer of Ms. Berry’s acting prowess, it couldn’t have made my day more than to hear her gush about working with the one and only Pierce Brosnan.

Taking part in the Autocorrect Interview segment featured on Wired’s YouTube channel, the star of Netflix’s The Union took time to answer some of the internet’s burning questions. Jumping off on the query of which James Bond film she happened to be in, Halle Berry responded with the following:

I’m going to say something I never thought I’d say in the 22 years that have marked the end of Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond era. But thanks to stories like these coming out about the making of Die Another Day, the Brosnan run's finale actually does seem to be improving in stature as time goes on.

Don’t get me wrong, the movie’s still a mess, and there’s plenty of elements that don’t work. But the revised opinion of this picture as a campy joyride in the 007 canon doesn’t bother me as much as it might have earlier on in my Bond fandom. Plus, it's easier to appreciate the things the movie did right after so much time has passed.

Stories like this, or those shared in director Lee Tamahori’s James Bond recollections, have seriously made me turn a corner when it comes to this picture that was seriously maligned upon release. Those feelings only become even more powerful as Halle Berry continued to reflect on her part in Die Another Day’s chapter of the Bond legacy.

And as you’ll see in her continued remarks, playing Giacinta "Jinx" Johnson may not have been on her personal bingo card, but it certainly was rewarding:

Right about now is the time where I start to feel Halle Berry’s disappointment in her 007 spinoff being scrapped all over again. Especially because Jinx’s script was already written, and probably only needed some polishes and tweaks to get off the ground. While the franchise relaunch with 2006’s Casino Royale went off without a hitch, imagine how much easier it might have been if Ms. Berry was allowed to keep the action going between movies?

Those of you who are in the mood for some new spy action starring Ms. Berry, you’re in luck! The Union is currently streaming for those with a Netflix subscription, with plenty of action and comedy to spare. Though if you ask me, it’s not too late to dig up that Jinx script and do something exciting with it.

One of the most divisive entries in the history of James Bond movies is, without a doubt, 2002’s Die Another Day. I’m not immune to criticizing the film myself, but at the same time, I can see where some of its charms have been causing a massive reappraisal of Pierce Brosnan’s 007 swan song. That is especially true after speaking with the film’s director, Lee Tamahori and hearing his defense of one of its most controversial gadgets: the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish

To be honest, I was never against the notorious invisible car, more commonly known as “the Vanish.” But when I got to speak with Lee Tamahori about his latest film The Convert, I did want to ask him about his time directing the final film of Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond run. During our conversation, Lee delved into aspects of the movie that have both familiar and new. This story falls into the camp of the former, as Lee Tamahori defended 007’s invisible ride to CinemaBlend, saying, 

I’ll admit, when it comes to the most ridiculous James Bond gadgets overall, this tricked out Aston Martin never entered into the list for me. For decades prior to Die Another Day, everything from Goldfinger’s ejector seat and revolving license plate to the cell phone-driven BMW in Tomorrow Never Dies was shown in the arsenal of MI6’s Q Branch. No one batted an eye at those sorts of things, but somehow the vanishing Vanquish was seen as a problem. And yet, after being introduced like any of those other devices by the Quartermaster, the Aston Martin of Die Another Day became something of a joke.

I'll admit, the vehicle's nickname is a rather cute touch, especially when delivered by John Cleese in this scene from the film:

Even another one of the picture’s more outlandish devices, the gigantic diamond solar powered laser known as The Icarus, adhered to screenwriter/producer Michael G. Wilson’s knack for taking nascent mil-spec technology and turning it into a spy-fi threat. Continuing his remarks, Lee Tamahori shared further background on the weapon used by James Bond villain Gustav Graves (Toby Stephens) in his film, revealing the real life inspiration:

Today’s seemingly impossible gadget is tomorrow’s military contract waiting to happen. And one could imagine that sometimes, seeing something like Die Another Day’s Aston Martin V12 Vanquish inspires the minds who create such things to bring them to life – which only leaves less of a reason to argue against this Bond Gadget’s existence. 

Much like picking who your favorite James Bond actor happens to be, the subject of whether a Bond Gadget is useful or ridiculous is absolutely subjective. So while I’m sold on an adaptive camouflage car being a neat set-piece driver, I’m not going to denigrate any fellow fans who disagree.

If anything, reviving discourse such as this is a good way to pass the time while waiting for Bond 26 announcements. And if you're really going to nitpick this movie, there are better things to pull apart. Like, say, Die Another Day's swordfight being shredded by a weapons expert.

Another good use of your time is going to see The Convert, which sees Lee Tamahori collaborating with star Guy Pearce. The film will be available on VOD as well as in theaters starting July 12. And while you're at it, check out Pearce’s James Bond comments about his own dance with the role in the past.

Dame Judi Dench has been in more James Bond movies than some of the stars who played 007s and is the longest serving cast member in the franchise. The legendary actress played M, the Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service for the MI6 agency, for eight Bond movies. She also holds the distinction of having worked with two Bond actors, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig. Now, she's reflecting on her time in the role, specifically what it was like meeting Brosnan for the first time. And I have to say, I feel these thoughts so much.

The Oscar winner chatted with People, during which her memorable run as M within the James Bond franchise came up. When she took the job in the mid '90s, even the decorated actress was nervous considering the loftiness of the franchise. James Bond was a beloved character, and GoldenEye was the first film to feature Pierce Brosnan in the lead role. The Dame talked about feeling jumpy on the first day, but also being struck by how cute and wonderful the leading man was from the jump:

I mean, can you really blame her for feeling that way after meeting the Mrs. Doubtfire alum? The leading man is still very debonair today but, years ago, he was practically the epitome of cool.

The two co-stars ended up working together for the four Brosnan-led James Bond films, and Judi Dench clearly took a liking to her handsome colleague. While the debate on who the best Bond is is an ongoing debate amongst fans, many agree that Brosnan’s look was perfect for the historic character. Some prefer the more rugged Daniel Craig in the more recent movies or the womanizing cheekiness of Sean Connery’s 1960s performance. But no one really seemed to be as striking as Brosnan. Dench echoed this sentiment, mentioning how her daughter was equally taken by the actor when she met him:

Who can blame her? The star's coolness was unmatched in the 90s, and I can't say that I wouldn't have been somewhat flustered over being around him. After his final performance as the character in 2002's Die Another Day, the Bond franchise had to pivot to a completely different aesthetic and energy when casting Craig. Brosnan’s perfection was almost irreplaceable in this fan's eyes and, ultimately, the producers had to revamp the idea of what James Bond was. I’m sure portraying a beloved character like M was intimidating, but playing opposite a Bond like Brosnan was in its own way equally intimidating it seems. On that note, shout out to the imposing Judi Dench for admitting that even she felt the way a number of us probably would have.

The kind of standard that actors like Pierce Brosnan set for 007 is why casting the character is a tedious process. The producers of the Bond movies have more recently been working on casting the role for the future and have seemingly put a lot of time into finding the perfect face to take on the mantle. Even replacing Dame Judi Dench after her character died in Spectre wasn’t easy, and the team decided to completely pivot by casting Ralph Finnes as M. 

With Daniel Craig's tenure now done, it'll be interesting to see if casting directors will continue go down the more rugged, modern lane, maybe casting someone like Tom Hardy, who topped the casting odds at one point. However, more recent rumors have suggested that Aaron Taylor-Johnson has been cast in the role. That's yet to be confirmed. Regardless of what lies ahead though, I think most would agree with Judi Dench that there's something special about Pierce Brosnan's portrayal. I'd like to imagine that some viewers still buckle at the knees today whenever his dapper iteration of 007 on screen.

On that note, fans of the franchise can revisit Pierce Brosnan and Dame Judi Dench’s performances in their four Bond movies together. Some of the movies are streaming, including Die Another Day, which is now available for Max subscribers. For more information on where to check out other movies in the franchise, read up on how to watch all the 007 movies.

As any actor who’s played the face of the James Bond movies will tell you, the cinematic legacy of Ian Fleming’s literary creation will follow you everywhere you let it. Pierce Brosnan knows that fact, with his previous remarks on 007’s future seemed to indicate he wasn’t exactly concerned with the matter. 

Now he’s walked back those comments in a pretty big way and thrown his support behind an Oppenheimer star to play the seventh Commander Bond. The Thomas Crown Affair actor spoke to the BBC during this year’s Oscar Wilde Awards in Los Angeles, and when asked about who he’d want to see as the next James Bond, 2024 Oscar nominee Cillian Murphy’s name came up. Giving his fellow countryman a ringing endorsement, Pierce Brosnan offered this comment when asked: 

Murphy’s past James Bond odds have seen the actor in hot competition with other frequent 00-favorites like Henry Cavill, Idris Elba and Regé-Jean Page. That’s even despite the fact that recent James Bond rumors have specified that the next Bond is more than likely going to be someone in their mid-30s. 

As the franchise has already secured Warner Bros. as a future international distribution partner, that sort of move seems like good business sense. That being said, you can bet that Pierce Brosnan's support will give Cillian Murphy’s odds some sort of bump. This is, after all, one of those franchises where a fan's feelings towards who plays the lead can run quite hot. 

The fans could also set the tone for Bond 26 in terms of how serious or campy this next era happens to be. After a super serious and serialized run of adventures made up Daniel Craig’s 007 run, and with an irregular interval of time in-between entries, there are two things James Bond fans seem to want present in the franchise. Not only do they want a more regular release schedule for James Bond movies, but some are also hoping that lighter, Roger Moore-style shenanigans might be in the offing.

It's still unclear whether that will be the direction of the 007 future, but no matter where things go, Cillian Murphy's name will definitely keep making the rounds when trying to decide which direction to go. Or, much like in Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond movies, Mr. Murphy's hypothetical adventures could walk the line between both of those tones without getting shaken or stirred.

Of course, if Oscars night is particularly kind to Cillian, that could affect his odds as well. We'll just have to wait and see what happens at the 96th Academy Awards, which will air this Sunday at 7 PM ET on ABC. Also, those who want to celebrate Mr. Brosnan’s time in the tuxedo can do so through streaming, thanks to The World is Not Enough and Die Another Day still being available to Max subscription holders.

007 isn’t just a man known for his slick trigger finger for her majesty, he’s also got his own way with words. As the James Bond movies have offered many quotable lines for fans to throw out at the right time, it’d be a shame not to celebrate that fact. So let’s take some time and discuss the lines that best sum up the wit and wisdom of Commander Bond.

“Bond. James Bond.” - Dr. No (1962)

Introducing himself to the world in the 1962 classic Dr. No, Sean Connery’s initial iteration of 007 dropped the perfect calling card. Introducing himself to Sylvia Trench (Eunice Gayson) over a game of Baccarat, and with his theme music playing during the said moment, James Bond made quite the first impression with his easily identifiable catchphrase.

“Red wine with fish. Well, that should have told me something.” - From Russia With Love (1963)

Even some of the best James Bond villains have those moments where Commander Bond has gotten the upper hand. In From Russia with Love, a prime example came out of our hero deducing that heavy Red Grant (Robert Shaw) was actually an agent for S.P.E.C.T.R.E., simply by paying attention to his drink order at dinner. 

“Shaken, not stirred.” - Goldfinger (1964)

It’s the drink that 007 made famous, and supposedly for his own reasons. But while author Ian Fleming’s creation had become known for drinking this from day one, the first time we actually heard him order it came in 1964’s Goldfinger. The rest was well-mixed history.

“I think he got the point.” - Thunderball (1965)

The art of the one-liner is one James Bond has practiced for quite some time. And one of the best examples of that skill at work is in Thunderball, when a day on the beach with Domino (Claudine Auger/Nikki van der Zyl) sees our hero dispatching an enemy agent with a spear gun as sharp as his wit. 

“Bon appetit.” - You Only Live Twice (1967)

What more is there to say when you feed a henchman trying to take you out to a pool of piranhas? Sean Connery delivers this line so brilliantly in You Only Live Twice, which almost hints at the even campier history of one-liners such as this coming in Roger Moore’s James Bond movies.

“We have all the time in the world.” - On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)

One of the greatest upsets in the 007 franchise is how George Lazenby had only one James Bond movie. But the upside is that one film happens to be On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, quite possibly the most influential Bond adventure ever. This heartbreaking final line is part of the proof, to the point where its use in No Time To Die was appropriately devastating.

“Exceptionally fine shot.” - Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

The ‘70s were the era of the punchline for 007. Even before Roger Moore would charmingly ham it up with his Commander Bond, the final official entry for Sean Connery’s James Bond began to prepare the world for a more humorous James. Setting up a punchline delivered by Marc Lawrence’s henchman in Diamonds are Forever, it’s admittedly a perfectly deadpan gag that (almost) kills. 

“Well he always did have an inflated opinion of himself.” - Live And Let Die (1973)

While Roger Moore’s interpretation of James Bond was less cold-hearted and more devil may care, his legacy as a well-timed comedy machine will always be welcomed. Even in one of his most serious entries, 1973’s Live and Let Die, the then-freshman 007 actor started building that foundation early, and with great impact.

“There's a useful four letter word, and you're full of it.” - The Man With The Golden Gun (1975)

Deflating a villain’s ego is something that James Bond can call one of his great skills in trade. That said, James outdid himself in The Man with the Golden Gun, as he turns an intended toast of compliment from Francisco Scaramanga (Christopher Lee) into a doorway to slam the competition for being a hired killer.

“Keeping the British end up, sir.” - The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

Double entendres became a stock in trade for Roger Moore’s 007, and The Spy Who Loved Me is arguably the best one from his arsenal. After finally cozying up to opposing agent Col. Anya Amasova (Barbara Bach), one of the Bond Women who were equal to 007, the only explanation James had for his superiors was this short but sweet retort.

“His name’s Jaws. He kills people” - Moonraker (1979)

Reintroducing Richard Kiel’s iconic entry in the history of James Bond villains and henchmen, this bon mot from Moonraker had Roger Moore summing up his foe from The Spy Who Loved Me in six simple, but hilarious words. Delivering this line with a dry wit while preparing for hand-to-hand combat on a cable car very high up just seals the deal even further.

“He had no head for heights.” - For Your Eyes Only (1981)

Perhaps the most deadly serious Roger Moore James Bond movie, For Your Eyes Only still saw some room for well-placed instances of humor. Moore’s most cold-blooded moment, which saw 007 dispatching the villainous Loque (Michael Gothard) by pushing his car off a ledge, Sir Roger’s delivery walks a fine line between taunt and punchline; leaving us with a truly iconic scene.

“Fill ‘er up, please.” - Octopussy (1983)

Timing is everything, both for James Bond and Sir Roger Moore. After a daring pre-credits sequence that culminates in an impressive escape, thanks to a rather compact jet plane, we’re sent straight to Octopussy’s credits with a smile, and a polite request for fuel.

“Rest and recreation, my darling. The trip back from Siberia took a lot out of me.” - A View To A Kill (1985)

Moneypenny (Lois Maxwell) and James Bond historically have a flirtation that sees them bantering with only the most affectionate dialogue. A View to a Kill showed just that, when James’ return from the field saw the English spy referencing his business/pleasure cruise with a female agent, after retrieving an important microchip in the Russian ice.

“Whoever she was, I must have scared the living daylights out of her.” - The Living Daylights (1987)

As the 007 movies moved into the era of Timothy Dalton’s James Bond, the wit of the Roger Moore days didn’t simply fade away. Though The Living Daylights was one of the more grounded, Ian Fleming-influenced entries, Dalton still got to smile and crack a title-dropping gag that oozed that trademark Bond charm.

“Don’t you want to know why?” - License To Kill (1989)

While The Living Daylights was more of a traditional James Bond movie, License to Kill played itself as a grittier, more action-influenced picture. Timothy Dalton got to show a harder edge to the good Commander that directly connected to Daniel Craig’s 007; and this taunting question to the nefarious Sanchez (Robert Davi) set up a Bond villain death that’s still one of the best, and most brutal.

“No. For me.” - Goldeneye (1995)

If James Bond feels truly betrayed, the party on the other end better have a good excuse. Former spy turned villain Alec Trevelyan (Sean Bean) learned that the hard way at the end of Goldeneye, right as he dared to ask his former best friend, “For England, James?” Pierce Brosnan’s 007 cemented himself in history with this answer, and the explosive finale that followed.

“You forgot the first rule of mass media, Elliot: give the people what they want!” - Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)

There are admittedly two types of James Bond one-liners: cold-blooded retorts and sly, almost comical comebacks. And yet there are moments like when 007 prepared to end vicious media mogul Elliot Carver (Jonathan Pryce) in Tomorrow Never Dies when a healthy intersection arrives.

“I never miss.” - The World Is Not Enough (1999)

When taking his parting shot at surprise villain Elektra King (Sophie Marceau), the oil heiress made the mistake of presuming she was safe from 007, with a poor choice of last words: “You wouldn’t kill me. You’d miss me.” Cue The World Is Not Enough’s ice-cold takedown, which is still a legendary contribution to Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond.

“Time to face gravity.” - Die Another Day (2002)

Die Another Day will always be a silly, campy watch in the annals of Bond history. That doesn’t mean it’s without its moments though, as Gustav Graves (Toby Stephens) gets this sardonic wake-up call, right before being thrown out of a plane by James Bond himself. Some villains just walk right into these things.

“I’m sorry. That last hand nearly killed me.” - Casino Royale (2006)

The era of Daniel Craig’s James Bond was one of reinvention, as Casino Royale acted as a soft reboot to the saga. That didn’t mean everything was being revamped though, as while Martin Campbell’s second 007 directing gig was one of the leanest and meanest, Bond still had his cracking wit to dish out to enemies like Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen). 

“I never left.” - Quantum of Solace (2008)

The relationship between M (Dame Judi Dench) and James Bond constantly feels like a tense family affair. But there are moments of tenderness, like when Quantum of Solace saw James avenge the death of Vesper Lynd (Eva Green). Welcoming him back into active service, the formerly rogue Bond dropped three words to show where his loyalties always lay.

“What makes you think this is my first time?” - Skyfall (2012)

For a moment in time, Skyfall’s interrogation between Raoul Silva and James Bond was almost cut. If that decision had held up, one of Daniel Craig’s best 007 lines would have gone with it. Thanks to producer Barbara Broccoli fighting to keep it, this entry in 00-history still lives, and it still hits with perfection each time it plays.

“Visionaries? Psychiatric wards are full of them.” - Spectre (2015)

James Bond teasing Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Christoph Waltz) is basically a sport at this point. So when 2015’s Spectre finally revived Bond’s arch-nemesis, after a 007 rights battle that carried on for decades, seeing Daniel Craig mouth off against his reinvented foe was another tradition that was gladly welcomed back.

“Had to show someone your watch. Really blew their mind.” - No Time To Die (2021)

Normally, James Bond gets to make witty comments about his gadgets in the same room as Q (Ben Whishaw). No Time To Die broke that format, along with setting some other historical precedents, in a way that honored the past. 

“That’s a Smith and Wesson. And you’ve had your six.” - Dr. No (1962)

Trying to get the drop on James Bond is like trying to outwit him in conversation. Professor Dent (Anthony Dawson) failed at both of these tasks, leading to Sean Connery taking him down after dropping this hard knowledge in Dr. No. Poor guy never had a shot.

“Shocking. Positively shocking.” - Goldfinger (1964)

A good 007 fight scene flows like dialogue. The action is well-paced and fierce, and when the moment calls for it, James Bond gets to lay down a one-liner that says it all. Goldfinger had this formula down to a tee, as a henchman zapped with a heat lamp in a bathtub gave Sean Connery this electrifying comeback.

“This never happened to the other feller.” - On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)

Introducing a new James Bond actor is a sacred moment, right down to the first time it happened in 1969’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. With a slight breaking of the fourth wall, George Lazenby’s first and only time out as 007 got off to a brutal but cheeky start.

“Alright. Keep your hair on.” - You Only Live Twice (1981)

James Bond and Blofeld are an iconic hero/villain pair in the movie world, with their frequent encounters allowing many insults to be hurled between them. While his appearance is technically an unofficial cameo in You Only Live Twice, Roger Moore got his chance to deliver his cutting humor with the series’ dastardly evil-doer.

“I’m more of a problem eliminator.” - License To Kill (1989)

With a tagline like “His bad side is a dangerous place to be.”, how could you not expect License To Kill to go this hard with its dialogue? Offering his services to the harsh Franz Sanchez (Robert Davi), in hopes of taking down his organization from the inside, Commander Bond provided this pretty solid job description in his defense.

“Life’s full of small challenges.” - The World Is Not Enough (1999)

Trying to defuse a nuclear bomb is tough enough as it is. But having to do so while rocketing through a pipeline, in close quarters with James Bond, was something that Dr. Christmas Jones (Denise Richards) actually did in The World is Not Enough. And in an odd way of encouragement, he provided this bit of wisdom when discussing the tense situation.

“I know.” - No Time To Die (2021)

The heartbreaking No Time To Die ending gave the world something it never thought it would see: the death of James Bond. Turning the moment into a truly tragic affair, Daniel Craig’s final words in character was this sorrowful sign-off with his beloved Madeleine (Léa Seydoux).

Whether it’s a withering rejoinder or a good-natured dose of cheek, James Bond will always be a quotable character that stands as a cinematic titan. So if you’re ever in need of momentary wisdom, take a moment and think of what Commander Bond would say. 

No matter which actor you prefer as the face of the James Bond movies, their association with the role is something that can leave a long shadow. Pierce Brosnan is one of six men who know that for a fact, which has come into focus once more thanks to his role in the 2023 new movie release Fast Charlie. However, for director Phillip Noyce, those comparisons don’t seem to bother him one bit -- and for some pretty good reasons.

While speaking with Mr. Noyce during the press day for Fast Charlie, I brought up this very topic with the man, who had his own experience with espionage thrillers. Given that the director helped make Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan a household name, Noyce probably faced a similar mantle of expectations at the time. When addressing the possibility of comparisons between “Fast” Charlie Swift and 007, Noyce shared these sentiments with CinemaBlend: 

Based on author Victor Gischler’s novel, Gun Monkeys, Fast Charlie sees the eponymous protagonist wading through a potential gang war. This is a caper that involves an accidental death during a very much ordered hit and involves multiple parties trying to end Charlie's life in the resulting chaos. With all that transpires, it's easy to see why some would some would think the retired Marine-turned-hitman does have a similar air of professional charm and menace to 007.

Though we’re years removed from Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond movies, Fast Charlie’s titular southern boy does bring comparisons to the good Commander to mind. However, that’s not because of the character, but rather Brosnan and his acting prowess. Just as easily as he walked the line between humor and action in his 007 adventures, the Remmington Steele vet is just as effective taking out his enemies as he is throwing barbs at any one who crosses his path. At the same time, Charlie Swift doesn’t rely too much on the backstory that Phillip Noyce implies through Brosnan’s filmography. 

You don’t need to be a Bond fan to enjoy Fast Charlie, but being a Brosnan loyalist is absolutely a requirement. While he does share the screen with Gotham’s Morena Baccarin and the late James Caan, who Brosnan reflected on while speaking with CinemaBlend, Pierce commands the screen as usual. 

While James Bond’s legacy does tend to cast its large shadow, it isn’t something that’s necessarily unavoidable. As co-stars like Colin Salmon contribute to that story by sharing the Brosnan Era’s huge leaps forward, directors like Philip Noyce know just how to invoke such achievements while not playing just playing the hits. 

Basically, with Pierce Brosnan, you can shake your martini and stir it, too. His 007 era is a strongly discussed one but, as one can see with his further credits outside of that run, it hasn't stopped him from branching out into exciting projects. Moviegoers can see just what I mean for themselves, as Fast Charlie is currently in theatrical release. Though the film is also available on Amazon, as well as other leading digital distributors, to rent or own. 

Fashion can truly make an impression with any character you’re trying to get across; especially with the figures we’re about to discuss. Clothing is definitely not optional, it’s a way of life for some of the snazziest dressers in all of cinematic history. So straighten your tie, smooth out your sweater, and slip on your glasses to take a look at these shining examples of sartorial supremacy.

James Bond (The James Bond Movies)

How can you not admire the costume design throughout every era of James Bond movies? No matter your chosen actor for the job, 007 has made his way into the world with a fine style that matches his cutting wit. His fashion is forever.

Holly Golightly (Breakfast At Tiffany’s)

Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn) became a fashion icon for the ages in 1961’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s. It’s certainly not hard to see why, as Hubert De Givenchy and Edith Head’s talents gave this movie its signature looks; chiefly among them some little black dresses that launched a thousand party outfits.

Sam “Ace” Rothstein (Casino)

How mythic is the wardrobe of Robert De Niro’s Sam “Ace” Rothstein from Casino? There are whole YouTube videos and posters designed to show them off. Not to mention even some of the oversized glasses that Martin Scorsese’s protagonist wears during the film have become the stuff of legend. Better still: Ace isn’t afraid to wear pink, and it suits him to a tee.

Lorelei Lee (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes)

Sure, as a musical showgirl, it was technically the job of Lorelei Lee (Marilyn Monroe) to always be on point with her looks. But at the same time, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes certainly snazzed her up in everyday life, thanks to some beautiful use of patterns and color. And of course, who could forget the iconic pink dress Monroe wore during “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend?”

Django (Django Unchained)

Once he entered the world of bounty hunting, Django (Jamie Foxx) took a lot of the advice Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz) gave him to heart. And part of that package was the note that your wardrobe is basically your costume for the moments in your life. Everything from rough and tumble western wear to a natty blue velvet suit with ruffles resulted from that viewpoint, and we’re all the greater for it.

Miranda Priestly (The Devil Wears Prada)

If one is going to help make the decisions that puts cerulean sweaters on the backs of those who pretend to hate fashion, one needs to look like they’ve earned that right. The Devil Wears Prada’s Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) definitely earned that right, and then some. While Streep gave up Method acting because of the character’s miserable nature, her style never looked anything less than top-flight.

Caesar Flickerman (The Hunger Games Trilogy)

Oh Stanley Tucci: the respected actor that, early in his career, was a beefcake model for Levi’s. The man’s style sense has never left him, with Caesar Flickerman from The Hunger Games trilogy being one of his more outlandish cases of style. Bursting with color that matched his energy, it’s hard to hate Panem’s prince of propaganda.

Cruella DeVil (Cruella)

Cruella reinvented the Disney villain from 101 Dalmatians into someone who dug a lot more than Dalmatian spots. Emma Stone’s titular icon of villainy actually changed her tone in this reimagining, setting her sights on revenge in the fashion world, and adopting a sort of punk rock couture aesthetic to do so. Vengeance looked amazing in her hands.

Jinx (Die Another Day)

Yes, Halle Berry’s freezing James Bond entrance in Die Another Day showed her rocking an impressive bikini. But her outfits throughout the rest of the film didn’t slouch either, especially the red leather number that kept her warm in the ice palace of Gustav Graves (Toby Stephens). Though it probably also came in handy that time she was nearly carved up by lasers too. 

Charon (The John Wick Movies)

The entire John Wick universe is dressed to the nines, exuding a style profile that puts most action movies to shame. But if I were to highlight anyone, I’m afraid it’d have to be Charon, played by the late great Lance Reddick. Then again, The Continental is one of those places where you always have to be on your fashion game; so maybe this choice was easier than I thought.

Emily Nelson (A Simple Favor)

Paul Feig’s cinematic adaptation of A Simple Favor saw Blake Lively dipping her toe into all corners of the fashion spectrum. Through looks borrowing from both traditionally masculine and feminine modes, it all looked deadly beautiful throughout her neo-noir character’s arc. 

The Protagonist (Tenet)

Inspired by Sean Connery’s James Bond fashion, Tenet costume designer Jeffrey Kurland crafted fashions for The Protagonist (John David Washington), as well as his accomplice Neil (Robert Pattinson) that evoked the classic era of 007. Kind of fitting for a movie where incremental time travel is the game, and Christopher Nolan’s discipline for panache is also very much present. 

Astrid Leong (Crazy Rich Asians)

Astrid Leong (Gemma Chan) has a heart of gold, and the fashion sense to match it. Throughout the entirety of Crazy Rich Asians, she never failed to show up in some of the most gorgeous outfits; even in moments where her heart was breaking in devastating detail. Every time she’s on screen, it’s like watching a fairy tale.

Jay Gatsby (The Great Gatsby)

When you’ve got a character that’s described as “the man in the cool beautiful shirts,” your costume design needs to measure up. Director Baz Luhrman’s adaptation of The Great Gatsby used the talents of costume designer Catherine Martin to do just that, giving Leonardo DiCaprio’s interpretation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s tragic character the finest threads money could buy. 

Tracy Chambers (Mahogany)

Mahogany’s Tracy Chambers (Diana Ross) has aspirations to be a fashion designer herself. So it’s only fitting that she not only found her way into modeling, but also onto this list of snazzy dressers. Epitomizing the color and opulence of the disco era, her cautionary tale saw Tracy looking absolutely fabulous, even in her most dire moments. 

Nigel (The Devil Wears Prada)

If you haven’t heard it before: Stanley Tucci is a man of great fashion. One of the best examples of this is the role of Nigel in The Devil Wears Prada. While he’s a bit nicer spreading the gospel of fashion than his boss Miranda (Meryl Streep), Nigel doesn’t let up in his keen eye for style in the process.

Jackie Brown (Jackie Brown)

Whether she’s coming home from flying the friendly skies, or keeping one step ahead of her criminal compatriots, Jackie Brown (Pam Grier) always looks fantastic. Of course, her striking blue uniform for her day job is what’s always stuck out in Quentin Tarantino’s film. That being said, Ms. Grier’s civilian clothes are no slouch either, especially in that food court outfit where she’s stylishly wearing a Kangol cap.

Thomas Crown (The Thomas Crown Affair)

Billionaire by day and thief in his downtime, The Thomas Crown Affair’s titular rogue is always sharply suited for the occasion. Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond movies certainly set a similar expectation, but this 1999 remake gave the actor some room to roam; even if he wasn’t contractually allowed to be seen in traditional black tie. 

Foxy Cleopatra (Austin Powers in Goldmember)

Borrowing from the rich fashion history of blaxploitation heroines, Austin Powers in Goldmember gave Foxy Cleopatra a whole lot of looks for a whole lot of woman. Then again, when you’ve cast Beyoncé as your female lead, it’s kind of hard to make her look anything other than stunning. Still, an abundance of color and flare is seen through every costume change in this spy movie spoof.

Patrick Bateman (American Psycho)

‘80s business attire was a unique beast that had stock brokers ready to step out into the night once the closing bell had rung. Using GQ and Esquire as a bible, it’s no wonder how American Psycho’s Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale) always looked as sharpened as a kitchen knife. Though spare a thought for the man’s dry cleaners, as he does have a bit of a temper.

Niobe (The Matrix Reloaded & Revolutions)

Pretty much everyone in The Matrix is a snazzy dresser, especially when they're in The Wachowski's cyberspace playground which gives the film its title. But extra credit has to be given to Niobe (Jada Pinkett Smith), as she's not a simple black-and-white dresser. With a long red coat that sets her apart from the rest, reflecting her colorful wardrobe in the real world, The Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions were a bit brighter when she battled it out on screen.

Marvello Rubini (La Dolce Vita)

There are certain fashion touchstones of cinema history that will never, ever go out of style. And one such look is the classic suit and sunglasses worn by Marcello Mastroianni’s Marvello Rubini, in one of the greatest Italian movies of all time, La Dolce Vita. You can never go wrong with that black suit, but the eyewear that Federico Fellini's protagonist wears throughout the picture really clinches the win every time.

Elle Woods (Legally Blonde)

Pink is a hard color to work with because, in the wrong context, it could be seen as much too loud. Meanwhile, Legally Blonde icon Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) never met a shade of this pigment she didn’t like. Her signature hue throughout both films, this legal eagle soars high in the sky with flying colors; and it never goes out of style. 

Danny Ocean (Ocean’s Eleven)

A friend once told me, “no one looks as cool as Danny Ocean getting out of prison.” Judging by the look George Clooney’s Ocean’s Trilogy mastermind is rocking at the beginning of that first movie, it’s hard to argue. It’s even more difficult to argue that through all three films, the man isn’t bringing his A-game every single time he steps out.

Annie Hall (Annie Hall)

Blazing a trail for women’s fashion, Annie Hall’s eponymous figure took what was traditionally seen as “men’s clothing” and used it as her own statement to the world. Played brilliantly by Diane Keaton, her keen fashion sense was matched by her wicked wit, more often than not being deployed against lovelorn Alvy Singer (Woody Allen). 

Frank Abignale (Catch Me If You Can)

What is it about confidence crooks that gives them such brilliant fashion sense? Perhaps when Frank Sr. (Christopher Walken) told his young son Frank Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio) about how those Yankees pinstripes bedazzle the competition, he was onto something. As a result, Catch Me If You Can’s “real fake” is seen kitted out in everything from pilot’s uniforms to orange sweaters, and he’s always looking dapper as a result. 

Reynolds Woodcock (Phantom Thread)

“Meticulous” is one word that sums up Phantom Thread’s Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis). Paul Thomas Anderson’s dark comedy about romance, fashion, and all the illnesses in between saw the Academy Award-winning legend retire in literal style, playing a fashion designer who would never step foot out the door with even a hair out of place.

Ginger McKenna (Casino)

Martin Scorsese’s Casino shows Las Vegas through some of its most tumultuous years. And one of the indicators of how time passes is in the fashion, as Ginger McKenna (Sharon Stone) goes from good-time gal to the trusted wife of casino manager Sam “Ace” Rothstein (Robert DeNiro). Gliding through the years with an effortless eye, Ms. Stone’s costumes maintain an air of control, even when her character seems to be losing that very grasp in life.

Cher Horowitz (Clueless)

Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone) is the ‘90s, period. A fashionista who made something like yellow with black plaid into a work of art, our Clueless hero is anything but when she’s putting together her outfits. Who could ever forget the first time they saw some of Cher’s most signature looks in play?

Jules Winfield (Pulp Fiction)

The look of a simple black suit cannot be understated, especially when someone like Samuel L. Jackson is the person wearing it. As imposing fixer Jules Winfield in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction, Jackson wears this outfit for most of the movie’s running time; save for those sequences taking place after one catastrophic accident. Even in a random t-shirt and shorts, the man knows how to make an impression and keep all the Fonzies in the room cool. 

Rachel Chu (Crazy Rich Asians)

While Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) isn’t from the same sort of world as the family of her boyfriend Nick (Henry Golding), that doesn’t stop our Crazy Rich Asians lead from engaging in a makeover. As the film progresses, and through some friendly makeover advice from her best friend (Awkwafina), confidence and fashion are both boosted in equally impressive ways.

Trent (Swingers)

Most would remember the lead characters of Swingers for their big band revival threads that play a big part in their trip to Vegas. However, if you look at the styles that Trent Walker (Vince Vaughn) displays throughout the movie, he is a true example of making anything work. Even his outbursts in a late-night dining situation look sharp, as he knows how to crush a look when he’s relaxed or when he’s switched on. 

If you were looking for some style icons to look up to for a near-future wardrobe refresh, look no further than these movie mavens. With all sorts of looks at work for all types, there’s bound to be something here that could give you the upgrade you’ve been hoping to achieve. And now that you’ve read through this handy guide to such delights, don’t you think you’ve earned it?

Outside of the lush locations, beautiful companions, and awesome cars that the James Bond movies show off, everyone’s always up to see what ridiculous gadgets that 007 and/or his enemies have in their arsenals this time out. While there are some pretty cool entries to love and cherish, others are just as iconic as they are questionable. That very fact has given us this list of 32 head-scratchers we need to discuss, for king and country. 

The Dragon Tank - Dr. No

There are quite a few gadgets from Sean Connery’s James Bond movies that are well known and loved. Considering how clunky this Dr. No gadget looked, and its limited armaments consisting of merely a flamethrower, the ridiculousness comes from the seemingly easy potential to take this thing out.

Rosa Klebb’s Shoe Blade - From Russia With Love

Is the shoe blade that Rosa Klebb (Lotta Lenye) uses in the final fight of From Russia with Love cool? Of course it is! But that doesn’t make it any less ridiculous as a weapon, thanks to both its ineffective nature and the more grounded tone of the rest of the film.

Tear Gas Parking Meter - Goldfinger

Concealing your weaponry is a great advantage when trying to combat the enemy in the field. However, with Goldfinger’s tear gas-loaded parking meters, one has to wonder how many times random civilians would accidentally set these off on a trip to get a coffee.

Homing Pill - Thunderball

Homing devices are cool, so Thunderball wasn’t wrong in developing one in pill form for James Bond to use. Two problems though: it’s harmlessly radioactive, which could mess with the Geiger counters needed to track stolen nuclear bombs; and the unofficial James Bond spoof of Casino Royale '67 eventually riffed on this concept oh so easily.

Explosive Lipstick - You Only Live Twice

There are two big reasons You Only Live Twice’s exploding lipstick can be considered among the most ridiculous gadgets the series has to offer. Strike one is the fact that the button activating this explosive device is probably easy to trigger if you’re not careful enough. Strike two is that even when it does explode as a measure of distraction, it’s not all that distracting to a seasoned field agent.

Radioactive Lint - On Her Majesty’s Secret Service

Concealed tracking devices are like the Bond franchise’s variant of socks on Christmas: you can count on them to pop up randomly, and frequently. So the fact that this device was used in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, aka “the James Bond Christmas movie,” is as fitting as it is ridiculous. Seriously, you expect lint to stay in one place without being thrown out?

Electromagnetic RPM Controller Ring - Diamonds Are Forever

Now if Q (Desmond Llewellyn) had shown off his “Electromagnetic RPM Controller Ring” from Diamonds are Forever as a safecracker or a strategic device, I might not have knocked it. But as it’s used to merely game the slot machines at Willard Whyte’s Whyte House, this definitely feels like a bit of an abuse of the Q Branch budget.

The "Felix Lighter" - Live And Let Die

Communication is important when working on a case like that of Live and Let Die. With Commander Bond traveling to New York, a car cigarette lighter turned out to be his direct line to friend and ally Felix Leiter (David Hedison). Imagine randomly seeing someone talking to their car lighter, potentially sitting next to someone who doesn’t bat an eye at this sort of thing.

Solex Agitator - The Man With The Golden Gun

Sometimes the James Bond movies need to go big and bad with their gadgets, and the solar power plant that the Solex Agitator unlocks in The Man with the Golden Gun is one such case. However, if you know anything about solar power, think about how long you’d need these batteries to charge in order to use that killer laser cannon Francisco Scaramanga (Christopher Lee) threw into the package.

The Killer Tea Tray - The Spy Who Loved Me

A tea tray that can accelerate to the point where someone might literally lose their head? Sounds tempting, up until the point where you think about serving your closest friend/boss/dignitaries from the royal family, and you don’t know if the tray you’re using is this The Spy Who Loved Me gadget or not.

Laser Weaponry - Moonraker

Laser weaponry sounds like a lot of fun, especially with the portable canons that Moonraker used to spice things up with a touch of Star Wars. But considering the energy used needs to strike its target several times before it’s effective, you might think twice before pulling one of these with you into battle. Unless you’re fighting the world’s most stationary army.

Spiked Umbrella - For Your Eyes Only

An umbrella that could disable your enemy, simply by closing over their heads? Technically, For Your Eyes Only had the kernel of a good idea with this Bond gadget. However, the perfect storm of having to wait until it’s raining, and hoping you don’t pull this umbrella by accident, are the reasons why this tool is considered ridiculous.

Yo-yo Saw - Octopussy

Do you consider yourself a pro with a yo-yo? Then Octopussy’s yo-yo saw might be a gadget for you. Are you useless with a yo-yo, like most of the world probably happens to be? Then you may want to leave this one on the shelf and pick up something a little less ridiculous from Q-Branch.

Snooper the Robot - A View To A Kill

If you’re a series that involves cutting-edge gadgets, funny robots are almost always going to pop up in your arsenal. Q-Branch wasn’t immune to this law, thanks to the very conspicuous, and absurdly cartoony Snooper the Robot, as seen in A View to a Kill. Then again, with a beautifully over-the-top Bond villain played by Christopher Walken in the mix, I could see why Snooper felt like it fit right in.

The Revolving Couch - The Living Daylights

Even Timothy Dalton Bond movies as serious as The Living Daylights have their share of ridiculous 007 gadgets. Being tested during Dalton’s initial outing, the revolving couch was posed as a menace to rogue agents looking to take a nap. You have to wonder how much air is in that couch, and how anyone would know that it’s trapped a baddie before sitting down for a spell.

Dentonite Toothpaste - Licence To Kill

Whether someone accidentally misuses the explosive Dentonite toothpaste from Licence to Kill, or you don’t handle it properly yourself, this is a mess that’s not going to be fun to clean up. And there’s a pretty big chance that either of those scenarios could potentially happen; as this stuff is pretty convincingly branded.

Smothering Phone Box - Goldeneye

The element of surprise is always a good thing to have when taking care of enemy operatives. But even in that respect Goldeneye’s Q-Branch gadget in testing still feels rather outrageous; especially when you consider just how long it’ll take for someone to reset and dispose of the target once the job is complete.

Killer Dart Fan - Tomorrow Never Dies

Concealed darts firing out of a fan are the beginnings of a good idea for a weapon. That being said, Tomorrow Never Dies executes this concept with a bit of absurdity, while 007 plays around with the toys present in the safehouse of Colonel Wai Lin (Michelle Yeoh). The James Bond movies of Pierce Brosnan ride the line between the serious and the silly rather well, with this device showing a little more of the latter half.

Weaponized Bagpipe - The World Is Not Enough

Bagpipes have always garnered a mixed reaction from fans of music and entertainment. The World is Not Enough may have divided the crowd even more, thanks to this set of pipes that acts as a two-in-one weapon. Though the flamethrower could make for one smart Burns Night s’mores roast.

Virtual Reality Simulator - Die Another Day

In theory, Die Another Day’s VR Simulator would make for an interesting training exercise for agents like James Bond. But as the film sees this tool abused to exercise personal grudges and crushes, it’s back to the drawing board for 007’s version of Star Trek: The Next Generation’s Holodeck.

Portable Defibrillator - Casino Royale

Could having a portable defibrillator come in handy? It obviously could. But if your unit is like the one that Daniel Craig’s James Bond had in Casino Royale, the fact that it’s so easy to sabotage cancels out the medical efficacy. Plus, what if you accidentally set it off while reaching for your car registration and insurance papers?

Nothing - Quantum of Solace

Brace yourselves, folks: there aren't really any field gadgets in Quantum of Solace. Unless you count Bond using a can of motor oil that Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric) is given for hydration as 007 leaves him to trek the desert. In which case...yeah, there's still nothing.

Radio Transmitter - Skyfall

Having a way to keep tabs on James Bond’s location at all times is a smart move; so Skyfall’s radio transmitter gets points for practicality. Up until the point you realize that Commander Bond was already microchipped, and painfully so, in Casino Royale. One can sympathize when 007 (Daniel Craig) quips to Q (Ben Whishaw) that it's "not exactly Christmas" when receiving this "gadget" upon returning to active duty.

Laser Microphone - Spectre

How can a Q-Branch device be so smart and yet so ill-advised? Spectre kind of answers that question, as James Bond’s laser microphone mounted to a weapon is smart…until you realize it’s going to wreck someone’s ears, unless you remember to deactivate it before firing! Also, the telltale blue tracking laser is cool, up until your target notices it in a random cloud of smoke.

Project Heracles - No Time To Die

Project Heracles was a smart weapon that was so deadly it should never fall into the wrong hands. And sure enough, these genetically targeted nanobots did exactly that, causing No Time To Die’s explosive finale.

The Gigantic Safe Cracker - On Her Majesty’s Secret Service

The James Bond series loves its safe crackers. Several movies, including On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, use this device to make for some tight situations. Considering this gigantic version came after a much smaller variant was used in You Only Live Twice, this piece of tech feels obsolete out of the box.

Drysuit With A Bird Disguise - Goldfinger

It’s always a good idea to pack tactical gear that allows you to keep dry in slippery situations. But did Goldfinger’s drysuit really need that ridiculous bird on the headpiece? It’s a clear decoy, and when you question just how that bird is swimming while looking so still, the illusion falls apart.

Wet Nellie - Spy Who Loved Me

Sometimes ridiculous rides on the edge of cool, making for something I’d like to call “ridiculously cool.” The Lotus Esprit submersible from The Spy Who Loved Me, known as “Wet Nellie,” definitely fits that bill. Is it realistic? Not quite. Does that stop me from wanting one? Absolutely not.

Pocket Snap Trap - Diamonds Are Forever

I’m not saying the MI6 equivalent of a gag from Who Framed Roger Rabbit isn’t a good idea. But the Pocket Snap Trap from Diamonds Are Forever is a gag that matches the slightly cartoony tone of that precursor to the Roger Moore era of shenanigans. Measured against the rest of the arsenal, it’s definitely a ridiculous addition.

Exploding Bolas - Moonraker

The good news about Moonraker’s exploding bolas is that they aren’t so explosive that you need to use them from a significant distance. On the other hand: good luck finding someone who knows how to use bolas, or trying to learn such skills yourself; especially if you forget which pair is the practice set.

A Weaponized Compressed Gas Pellet - Live And Let Die

Live and Let Die does get style points for taking out big bad Ross Kananga (Yaphet Kotto) with this weapon meant to dispose of sharks. And yet having this gadget on hand still feels rather ridiculous, as the scene that was supposed to prove its use was, according to Writing Bond, cut before it was filmed.

Perfume Flamethrower - Moonraker

The point of a perfectly innocuous gadget like Moonraker’s perfume flamethrower is, in fact, to conceal the true nature of this weaponized object. Even glossing over the potential for accidental usage, it’s highly doubtful that when frisked, an enemy henchman is going to just let you walk away with it on your person. 

While we’ve highlighted some ridiculous James Bond gadgets in our time discussing the tools of the trade above, that doesn’t make them any less cool or exciting. They may be head scratchers, but as we’ve seen time and again, the line between ridiculous and ridiculously cool is a thin one that this iconic franchise walks with much aplomb. So here’s to the future of both halves of that concept revisiting the world, as the world of 007 continues to expand. 

We watch the James Bond movies for a lot of reasons. The action scenes, the quippy dialog, and the gadgets, all make for great moments. Another reason we love the movies is all of the locations the superspy visits in the movies, like the ones on this list. 

From Europe to Asia to The USA, you never know where a Bond film is going to take viewers, but here are some of our favorite and most exotic places he's traveled in the series. 

Jamaica

Jamaica will always have a special place in the hearts of James Bond fans. The very first Bond film starring Sean Connery as 007, Dr. No, takes place almost entirely on the Caribbean island. Dr. Julius No’s house is set on “Crab Key”, a fictional island near Jamaica, but all the filming for that location and most of the movie was done in Jamaica. Daniel Craig's Bond even retires to Jamaica, where he's found at the beginning of No Time To Die.

Turkey

James Bond finds himself in Turkey a couple of times in the series. First, in From Russia With Love 007 finds him in Istanbul after having been lured to the Soviet embassy there in a trick that Bond foils. His most notable trip to Turkey is the epic motorcycle chase scene on the roof of the famous bazaar in Istanbul in Skyfall.

Switzerland

James Bond has visited Switzerland twice in the series. The first time he traveled to the mountainous country was in the lone movie starring George Lazenby, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service in 1969, when he discovered his arch-enemy Blofeld in a mountaintop hideout. The real location is Piz Gloria, which is a restaurant. He also followed the titular character in Goldfinger there, following him on some dramatic mountain roads.

Miami

Is there anything cooler than the Fontainebleau Hotel on South Beach in Miami in the 1960s? Playing cards while sitting by the pool at one of the most luxurious hotels of its day was certainly exotic for most people at the time, and still is today! Bond getting one over on the cheating Auric Goldfinger in Goldfinger makes it that much cooler! 007 returned briefly in Casino Royale, but only made it as far as the airport. 

Macau

Macau has been an exotic location for hundreds of years. The gambling mecca was established as a Portuguese colony in the 16th Century and is still a very popular place for gamblers, it’s even bigger than Las Vegas. Roger Moore's version of James Bond first visited Macau in The Man With The Golden Gun and later returned to a fictional island near the Chinese city in Skyfall, to the hideout of one of the best villains in the series, Raoul Silva (Javier Bardem), in the series, though it was filmed on Hashima Island in Japan.

Venice

Italy is a very common location for James Bond to find himself in. So far, he’s been to Italy eight times in the film series. Two of those visits were to Venice. His most dramatic trip to Venice occurred in Casino Royale where Vesper tragically meets her demise in a collapsing mansion. Bond had previously been to Venice in Moonraker. 

Corfu

The Greek island of Corfu is one of the great vacation spots in the world. Famous for its beaches and its nightlife, it’s a natural location for a James Bond film. Bond travels to Corfu to find Milos Columbo (Chaim Topol) there in For Your Eyes Only. It is, to date, the only time 007 has been seen in Greece. If you're in it for the travel, For Your Eyes Only is a great movie to watch, as Bond is really all over the place in it, from the beaches here to the Alps and beyond.  

India

Even though India was part of the British Empire for many years, it gained independence before James Bond went to work for Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Still, he finds himself on the subcontinent in Octopussy, as he chases down the titular character (Maud Adams) and villain Kamal Khan (Louis Jourdan). Octopussy’s home is one of the coolest locations in the series, The Lake Palace in Udaipur, which is a hotel today. 

Rio de Janeiro

Moonraker is not generally thought of as the best of the Roger Moore James Bond films, but it sure has some exotic locations. One of those, Rio de Janeiro, is one of the rare times Bond visits South America. The most famous scene in Rio is on the cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain when the henchman Jaws (Richard Keil) bites through the cable. Yeah, maybe that’s one of the reasons it’s not as fondly remembered. 

Shanghai

It’s a little surprising to learn that James Bond didn’t travel to Shanghai until 2012’s Skyfall, but given the political climate of China in the late 20th century, it makes sense. 007 follows an assassin to the top of a building and they engage in a great fight that is beautifully shot with the many lights of Shanghai flashing in the background. 

Gibraltar

A lot of hardcore Bond fans will argue that the Timothy Dalton-era The Living Daylight is two of the truly underrated films in the series. One reason is the intense opening scene that sees James Bond skydiving onto the Rock of Gibraltar on what he thinks is a training exercise but learns quickly that things have changed. It’s one of the best opening sequences in the series, and who gets to travel to Gibraltar? 

Tangier, Morocco

Morocco is a natural for this list. Few places in the world evoke a sense of the exotic like the north African country. Bond has been to Tangiers twice, first in The Living Daylights and then later in the Daniel Craig era in Spectre.

Key West

The second, and final, Timothy Dalton Bond film, Licence To Kill,  opens at a wedding for Felix Leiter in Key West, Florida. The self-proclaimed “Conch Republic” is the end of the road in America in a lot of ways, but it’s also one of the most interesting places in the country. 

Monaco

The tiny principality of Monaco is a no-brainer for this list. Famous for its fancy casino and for being a playground of the rich and famous, you’d expect it to be a frequent location for 007, but it’s not. To date, the legendary spy has only worked in Monaco once, during Pierce Brosnan's run as Bond. Of course, he did play baccarat at the casino. 

Cuba

Few places close to the United States are still as exotic as Cuba. Due to political tensions since the 1960s, the communist nation is notorious for being hard to visit for Americans, but of course, that’s no problem for a British spy. James Bond has traveled to the island nation three times, first in GoldenEye in the Pierce Brosnan-era, then again in Die Another Day, and finally in the Craig era in No Time To Die in the memorable scene with Ana de Armas.

Bahamas

The Bahamas are a popular destination for James Bond. Three different versions of of 007, Sean Connery, Timothy Dalton, and Daniel Craig have all visited the British protectorate. He traveled there first as far back as From Russia From Love, later in Licence To Kill, and then again in Casino Royale. 

Space

Space may be the final frontier for Elon Musk and his fellow billionaires, but for James Bond, he visited space, the ultimate exotic locations way back in the 1970s. Hoping to cash in on the Star Wars craze, the James Bond series tried out a little science fiction in Moonraker, with mixed results. 

Hong Kong

Given that Hong Kong was a British Colony and Protectorate for most of the 20th Century, it makes sense that a British spy would spend a fair amount of time there. Bond certainly has, traveling there in three films, You Only Live Twice, The Man With The Golden Gun, and Die Another Day.

Bangkok

You would think that Bangkok would be a regular destination for a British super spy, but James Bond has only traveled there once in the film series. Bond heads to Thailand in The Man With The Golden Gun, searching for the villain Francisco Scaramanga (Christopher Lee) and the trip produces some great humor and one of the best action sequences in the series with the corkscrew jump in a car over a river. 

Las Vegas

Las Vegas is a gambling mecca for any serious gambler in the world. James Bond, being a serious card player, baccarat, mostly, would be right at home there. Interestingly, he's only been there once. Pretty early in the series too, before the strip was even built. The scenes in Vegas feature Bond at the craps table and in a great car chase around the old downtown, on Freemont Street. 

Egypt

On the rare occasions that Bond finds himself on the continent of Africa, it's usually in North Africa. The Spy Who Loved Me is no exception as 007 travels to the pyramids in Cairo where he looks for the plans for a secret submarine. He meets Major Anya Amasova, played by Ringo Starr's wife, Barbara Bach, there and has his first encounter with the henchman Jaws. 

Japan

You Only Live Twice is a rarity in the Bond canon in that almost the whole movie takes place in one country. Instead of galavanting around the globe like he usually does, 007 spends most of the film in Japan. Like many of the early Connery-led films, it's pretty dated and very un-PC, but it is still a very cool look into 1960s Japan as it was emerging from the decades after World War II as a global financial powerhouse. 

Cortina d'Ampezzo

It's hard to narrow down the coolest spots James Bond has hit in Italy over the years. He goes back again and again, from the beaches to the cities, and every in between. In For Your Eyes Only, he hilariously drives a Lotus on the icy roads in the Alps to the ski town of Cortina d'Ampezzo. It's a stunning backdrop to some amazing action and one of the most beautiful places he's been in the series.  

Paris

For a man that loves all the finer things in life that France has to offer, the super spy doesn't spend a lot of time in that part of Europe. A rare exception is in A View To A Kill when he travels to Paris and dines at the famous Jules Verne Restaurant in the Eiffel Tower. There he and a French detective are attacked by May Day (Grace Jones). Bond manages to escape, but his dining partner is not as lucky. 

Sardinia

The Spy Who Loved Me has Bond all over the Mediterranean, first in Egypt, then later on the island of Sardinia. It's in Sardinia that he discovers one of the more outlandish villain hideouts of the entire series. The evil Karl Stromberg (Curd Jürgens) lives and does his business in a weird, alien-looking contraption that seems to be underwater most of the time but can emerge from the depths and sit above the waves as well.  

Siena

If you've never read up on the city of Siena in Italy, you should. The walled city is divided into 17 districts, called the Contrade of Siena. Twice a year, those districts compete against each other in a horse race in the town's square. It's a spectacle that has to be seen to be believed and in Quantum Of Solace, you can see it. Not only is Bond in Siena for work (and some light torture), he's there during one of the two times a year the races are held. It's a magnificent scene in an otherwise polarizing movie. 

Vietnam

For decades, Vietnam was off-limits to Americans in the wake of the war. It’s opened up in recent decades, but James Bond first visited there in Tomorrow Never Dies. The war still affected Bond though, the scenes were meant to be the first shot in the country since the war, but the permits were pulled by the government and ended up being shot in Bangkok. 

Iceland

The Ice Palace in Die Another Day is super cool looking. Ultramodern, yet completely frozen. Its location in Iceland only makes it that much more exotic. It’s the only time James Bond has ever traveled to the small northern island. Unfortunately, the set was not actually in Iceland, as it was filmed in England. 

Madagascar

There is no question that one of the best opening sequences – maybe the best  – is the parkour chance that happens early on in Casino Royale. The scene was shot on the remote island of Madagascar. It’s one of the very few times Bond has traveled to Sub-Saharan Africa, but it was definitely worth it.  

Lake Como

There aren’t many more beautiful places in the world than Lake Como, Italy. There’s a reason George Clooney chooses to live there. It’s also why someone chose to shoot one of the final scenes of Casino Royale there, in one of the trademark villas right on the lake. 

Mexico City

Most tourists, when they travel to Mexico, are likely to head to Cancun or Cabo, but Mexico City is amazing. The opening scene of Spectre, with the incredible tracking shot and dramatic fight in the helicopter, was shot there and the scene shows off how incredible the scenery of the city is. 

The Faroe Islands

The Daniel Craig era came to an end in one of the most remote places on earth. The Faroe Islands are part of Denmark, but they are located in the North Sea, north of Great Britain. It’s a fitting place for the scene that takes place there, that’ll we’ll avoid spoiling too much here. 

As long as they are making James Bond movies, everyone's favorite spy will be traveling to far-flung, exotic locations and we'll keep watching for all those places, as they've become one of the hallmarks of the unstoppable series. 

Superhero movies have been a constant in the world of modern Hollywood, and the genre reached its peak popularity with the explosion of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With such a storied history, there are obviously going to be stories of actors who didn’t make the cut. But believe us when we tell you the actors on this list who almost played major superhero roles are quite the collection of characters.

Burt Reynolds - Superman - Superman (1977)

A bunch of big name actors turned down the role of Clark Kent/Superman when it came time to make 1977’s Superman feature film. Among those who skipped this early era of cape action is the legendary Burt Reynolds. The decision seemed to work out in the end, as that same year saw Smokey and the Bandit become one of his most iconic hits.

Demi Moore - Supergirl - Supergirl (1984)

Early in her career, Demi Moore had a chance to become a part of the Superman franchise. She auditioned alongside Brooke Shields for the lead in Supergirl, though Helen Slater would eventually win the part. Moore then almost played the supporting role of Lucy Lane but passed, as she was about to go from being on General Hospital to starring in the Brat Pack era of films, including About Last Night…

Pierce Brosnan - Batman - Batman (1989)

There are quite a few actors that have done the dance of fate with both superhero movies and the James Bond movies. One of the most surprising, besides Burt Reynolds turning down 007, was Pierce Brosnan testing for Tim Burton’s Batman. Brosnan admitted he blew it, especially since he criticized the wardrobe choices of Bruce Wayne’s darker alter-ego.

Annette Bening - Catwoman - Batman Returns (1992)

Annette Bening was almost Catwoman, believe it or not. The original choice for that role in Batman Returns, Bening seemed set to be a part of the film. That is until the actress found out she was pregnant and had to bow out of the part. It’s ok though, as Burton found a more than willing successor in Michelle Pfieffer, who practically signed on after reading half of the script. 

Marlon Wayans - Robin - Batman Returns (1992)

Marlon Wayans is the Bobby Bonilla of the superhero movie world. Just as Bobby continues to be paid not to play for the Mets, Wayans still gets royalties for not playing Robin in Batman Returns. Due to the roster of characters in Tim Burton’s 1992 sequel being trimmed, Wayans never took flight as the hero.

Dougray Scott - Wolverine - X-Men (2000)

Out of the 13 actors that almost played Wolverine in X-Men, Dougray Scott was the one that got the closest. Scott was actually cast in the iconic pre-MCU film and was so close to getting to pop those Adamantium claws. If he hadn’t suffered injuries and scheduling conflicts from the tail end of Mission: Impossible II, we would've seen different Logan in action. 

Rachel Leigh Cook - Rogue - X-Men (2000)

Brace yourself for a weird loop of coincidence. She’s All That star Rachel Leigh Cook turned down the role of Rogue in 2000’s X-Men. Who did the role end up going to? Academy Award winner Anna Paquin… the actor who gave Cook's character that memorable makeover in the aforementioned teen comedy. Maybe Paquin has some mutant career powers that nobody’s ever noticed before. As for Cook, she eventually admitted that she totally blew it by passing on this classic adventure.

Leonardo DiCaprio - Spider-Man - Spider-Man (2002)

James Cameron’s unmade Spider-Man movie would have gone in some wild directions. Perhaps what fans discuss most is the fact that if he were to have made the movie, Leonardo DiCaprio would have been his Peter Parker! While that’s not the most shocking aspect, especially if you’ve actually read the script, it’s certainly something that feels pretty interesting considering where Cameron and DiCaprio’s careers would go after that point. 

Kate Winslet - Elektra - Daredevil (2003)

There was a wide net cast when looking to fill the role of Elektra in 2003’s Daredevil. Lucy Liu, Salma Hayek and even Katie Holmes were all considered; as was Titanic alum Kate Winslet. Considering her co-star Leonardo DiCaprio almost played Spider-Man for James Cameron, could Winslet have also been considered for Mary Jane Watson had that movie gotten off the ground? 

Ashley Judd - Catwoman - Catwoman (2004)

Development hell can wreck a movie before it ever shoots a single frame. Michelle Pfieffer's intended Catwoman spinoff, for example, eventually mutated into a standalone film. And somewhere in-between Pfieffer’s variant being iced and Halle Berry’s infamous final product being made, Ashley Judd was meant to play the character in the early aughts. According to the Daily Haggis, Judd dropped out in favor of a stage play; which was probably the better move.

Cillian Murphy - Batman - Batman Begins (2005)

Beginning his stint as one of the actors in the most Christopher Nolan movies, Cillian Murphy played Scarecrow in Batman Begins and was a menacing presence to behold. And yet, the Irish actor initially tried out for the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman; going as far as doing screen tests in and out of the Batsuit. While it was admitted that he wasn’t a good fit for the lead role, Nolan did use Murphy’s audition to cast him as Dr. Jonathan Crane; and the rest was history.

Tom Cruise - Iron Man - Iron Man (2008)

You knew this was coming. When the MCU fired up its arc reactor in 2008, Robert Downey Jr. was there front and center to make Iron Man a mega hit. Of course, the studio needed to be convinced that Downey was the way to go, as there were powers that be who wanted the Mission: Impossible daredevil as the lead. Cruise turned down the part, while at the same time the Tony Stark we knew and loved had enough people in his corner to make it happen. 

Emily Blunt - Black Widow - Iron Man 2 (2010)

It’s time to revisit one of the cruelest villains ever: contractual obligations! Back when Iron Man 2 was getting into gear, the then up-and-coming Emily Blunt was offered the role of Natalie Rushman… who was eventually revealed to be Natasha Romanova, the Black Widow. Unfortunately, this was the first of Blunt’s two Marvel passes; with this part going to Scarlett Johansson after Emily had to fulfill her obligation to star in 2010’s Gulliver’s Travels. 

Daniel Craig - Baldur The Brave - Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

The worlds of James Bond and superhero culture have collided before, thanks to Daniel Craig’s rumored Thor casting being debunked. What isn’t as sketchy is the claim that Craig almost played Baldur the Brave in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. And if you need anyone to further firm up this claim, just ask Elizabeth Olsen, who actually saw Craig’s costume after it was designed.

Joe Jonas - Spider-Man - The Amazing Spider-Man (2011)

One of the greatest heartbreaks in Joe Jonas’ career as an actor is still that time he almost landed the lead role in The Amazing Spider-Man. Jonas recalled his Marvel auditions as well as the tragic turn the situation took when Andrew Garfield landed the role, and it’s hard not to feel for the dude. Then again, Jonas may have dodged a bullet, considering where that series went.

John Krasinski - Captain America - Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

One of the hot prospects for the casting of Captain America was appropriately a man who’s clearly cut out for the role of an American boy scout -- John Krasinski. Though The Office star failed to secure the bag as Steve Rogers, he did go on to play the similarly patriotic lead of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan. Oh yeah… and he was a Multiversal Reed Richards in Doctor Strange 2 as well. 

Morena Baccarin - Maria Hill - The Avengers (2012)

Joss Whedon sure does have a deep bench of talent he loves to pull from. Firefly alum Morena Baccarin knows that fact, as she auditioned for The Avengers to play the role of Maria Hill. Though she stayed in the extended MCU family through Deadpool, Baccarin admitted she tanked the audition because she didn’t get Hill’s character on the page.

Jamie Dornan - Superman - Man of Steel (2013)

Mr. Kent will see you now. If history shook out a bit differently, maybe Henry Cavill would've played the lead in Fifty Shades of Grey, and Jamie Dornan would have been the Man of Steel lead that kicked off the DC Extended Universe. But that’s not the multiverse we live in, as we’re now wondering if these two will be competing for another massive pop culture role: that of James Bond.

Amanda Seyfried - Gamora - Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

If it wasn’t for Amanda Seyfried questioning whether or not Guardians of the Galaxy would be the first Marvel movie to bomb, she might have accepted the role of Gamora. However, it’s those doubts that kept her out of James Gunn’s 2014 blockbuster; a fact that Seyfried admits she was “very wrong” about.

Glenn Howerton - Star-Lord - Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

It’s more than an implication that It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star Glenn Howerton was almost cast as Star-Lord. It’s been pretty much confirmed by James Gunn that Howerton would have been his next choice, had Chris Pratt not signed on. The only thing more interesting is how “the Golden God” himself wasn’t considered to play Adam Warlock.

Lindsay Lohan - Scarlet Witch - Avengers: Age Of Ultron (2015)

Back in the days of her docu-series Lindsay, this Mouse House graduate thought her manager cost her a role in an Avengers movie. Well, if the timing of that 2014 project was any indication, the whispers of Lindsay Lohan being up for the part of Scarlet Witch just may have been true. 

Olga Kurylenko - Wonder Woman - Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

If there are two stars that need to be interviewed together about their careers, it’s Gal Gadot and Olga Kurylenko. Apparently, they both competed for lead roles in Quantum of Solace and Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice; with Kurylenko ultimately getting the Bond experience and Gadot snagging the Lasso of Truth.

Asa Butterfield - Spider-Man - Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Remember that time the world was convinced Asa Butterfield was the new Spider-Man? It happened, and the Sex Education lead apparently did test for the role in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War. Though his bid was unsuccessful, it’s hard not to admit he’d have made a good candidate had Tom Holland not eventually landed the role.

Emma Roberts - Harley Quinn - Suicide Squad (2016)

Apparently, the world has Fox’s now defunct shriek-com Scream Queens for taking Emma Roberts away from Suicide Squad. Roberts chose that TV gig over becoming the living embodiment of mayhem, leaving the role wide open for Margot Robbie to accept, and own, the role of Harley Quinn for years to come.

Josh Brolin - Batman - Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

Ben Affleck had some stiff competition for Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice’s Caped Crusader; and Josh Brolin was one of those competitors. But just as those hopes of Bryan Cranston as Lex Luthor and Timothy Dalton as Alfred didn’t pan out, Brolin lost the gig. With that, another major "what if" casting scenario was created.

Ryan Gosling - Doctor Strange - Doctor Strange (2016)

Yes, it’s true: Ryan Gosling took a meeting back in the Phase Three days of the MCU. The Mickey Mouse Club alum was considered to play Dr. Steven Strange himself. It’s hard to tell which missed opportunity is the more intriguing what if: this, or Gosling’s failed attempt to make a Haunted Mansion movie with Guillermo del Toro.

DeWanda Wise - Maria Rambeau - Captain Marvel (2019)

Getting cast in a superhero movie like Captain Marvel, only to have to bow out, has to be a painful feeling. DeWanda Wise is another case of such history in action, as she was supposed to play Maria Rambeau opposite Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers. But then, commitments to Season 2 of Netflix’s She’s Gotta Have It forced Wise to exit, with Lashana Lynch taking her place shortly after.

Sean Young - Catwoman - Batman Returns (1992)

Sean Young really wanted to be Catwoman in Batman Returns. No, seriously, the Blade Runner actor had such a desire to be cast in the role, that details reported via CBR saw a Warner Bros exec talking about how she burst into his office, in a Catwoman costume of her own design, to try and impress him and Michael Keaton. Needless to say, it didn’t work.

David Duchovny - Batman - Batman & Robin (1997)

There was a bit of a holding pattern between the success of Batman Forever and the accelerated timeline to make Batman & Robin. In that chaos, Val Kilmer exited the role, and a new Bats needed to be found. The X-Files' David Duchovny was one of the candidates considered, but the spooky man lost out on the role to George Clooney. A fate that Mr. Clooney still apologizes for, to this very day.

Armie Hammer - Batman - Justice League: Mortal (2007)

Tax rebates! That’s what caused the cancellation of George Miller’s Justice League: Mortal, which was pretty far along in pre-production for a movie to be given the axe. With Armie Hammer cast as Batman for this big blockbuster, the Caped Crusader scored yet another intriguing “what if…” when the curtain fell.

Anne Hathaway - Black Cat - Spider-Man 4 (2011)

If Spider-Man 4 had actually happened, it could have been a hell of a sight. With folks like John Malkovich cast, the next intended Sam Raimi-helmed movie could have been a return to the heights of Spider-Man 2. And in that pocket of alternate reality, Anne Hathaway probably didn’t play Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises, as she would have played a feline of a different stripe: Felicia Hardy herself, Black Cat. 

Christina Aguilera - Invisible Woman - Fantastic Four (2005)

Prepare for quite possibly the most bizarro alternative casting on this list. Amid development on 2005's Fantastic Four, Sean Astin himself wanted to direct the First Family of Superheroes. And as Astin revealed to Collider, he wanted Christina Aguilera to play Sue Storm a.k.a. the Invisible Woman. There’s got to be a “Genie In A Bottle” joke here somewhere, but we just can’t see it.

As you can see, the world of alternate comic castings has led to some stranger than-fiction-possibilities, near misses and truly heartbreaking passes. You can bet that so long as Marvel, DC, and any other comic company is keeping the pedal to the medal to make more superhero movies, there will be even more of these tales to come along in the years to come.

Dwayne Johnson’s Black Adam movie was, according to the actor, going to change the balance of power in the DC universe. Unfortunately, that didn’t exactly happen. Black Adam failed to take off at the box office, and Johnson himself has revealed there’s no place for his Black Adam in the new DCU, at least for right now. However, every movie has fans, and Black Adam is no different. In fact, even among those who didn’t love the movie overall, there are apparently many who would still love to see more from, if not Black Adam, then at least the Justice Society of America. 

A number of tweets have gone viral in recent weeks where many have suggested that the JSA was actually the best part of the Black Adam cast.  The team was made up of Aldis Hodge’s Hawkman, Pierce Brosnan's Dr. Fate, Quintessa Windell's Cyclone and Noah Centinio's Atom Smasher, all of whom were entirely new additions in Black Adam, which only included one member of the original Justice League in the Black Adam post-credits scene. While it seems likely they have suffered the same death as Black Adam himself, there are fans who would love to see more.  

 It was a somewhat strange setup with all these new heroes, which ended up being antagonists for the anti-hero Black Adam. It felt like there was a plan to make a new Justice League and just sort of soft reboot the superhero team in universe. But clearly the JSA struck a chord, as many fans thought the team worked and would like to see more. 

Of course, part of the problem was that all these new heroes had to share the screen with Black Adam, so there wasn’t a great deal of time to develop them. This meant that while we got bits of pieces of details about the characters and their relationships, there wasn’t much depth. At least one fan is wondering if Black Adam might have worked better as a straightforward superhero battle between the title character and the JSA. 

At this point, the new DCU Chapter 1 is moving forward, and while we don’t know with certainty that absolutely nothing from the previous universe will make the jump to the new one, it seems more and more unlikely with every passing day. As such, the return of the JSA is the longest of shots, even though there is clearly an audience for it… 

The JSA certainly aren’t the only things fans would love to see survive the DC Universe reboot. At this point, we’re not expecting new versions of these characters to appear on screen anytime soon, so maybe the return of the JSA as seen in Black Adam isn’t impossible.  

If you’re looking for realism and the rules of reality followed to the letter, the James Bond movies aren’t exactly the best place to look. However, even with a healthy suspension of disbelief, there are some moments throughout this espionage franchise’s history that have led to some expert-driven concerns and complaints. The most recent is a scene that already lives rent-free in infamy, as Pierce Brosnan’s infamous Die Another Day sword fight has now been roasted by a weapons expert. 

As Insider released a compilation of weapons experts breaking down film scenes, 007 found himself at a loss when it came to his big-bladed blowout. That’s thanks to the critiques of Dave Rawlings, Master-At-Arms for London Longsword Academy, who weighed in on several scenes of sworded combat. If you thought that time a casino operations director nitpicked Casino Royale’s poker scenes was rough, take a look at a sampling of what Rawlings had to say about the 20th James Bond adventure’s swordplay: 

Rating the encounter a 3/10, Master Rawlings’ most pointed remarks were about the poor form shown by both Gustav Graves (Toby Stephens) and Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond, as well as the treatment of longswords. That latter complaint is pretty damning, as Dave Rawlings mentioned that this particular blade isn’t as heavy and unwieldy as depicted in Die Another Day. 

However, one piece of this disastrous fight did get a bit of a reprieve. The fact that Gustav was able to snap James’ blade with another sword is given somewhat of a pass, as Rawlings noteed it could happen. Overall, this infamous brawl got a failing grade, living up to its over-the-top reputation.  

And that's without previous mention of the Madonna cameo that pops up in this sequence, complete with a massive double entendre. You can watch the complete evaluation Dave Rawlings gave Die Another Day's sword fight, below: 

As a James Bond fan, I can’t help but go a little easier on this scene, even in the light of such stiff criticism. Even considering everything wrong with it, and in light of being in the worst of the Pierce Brosnan James Bond movies, it’s still a bright spot in a pretty dire movie. For Die Another Day, the reality was merely a toy to be played with, and for my money, the Gustav Graves/James Bond sword fight isn’t nearly as bad as some of the other things this film got away with. 

That being said, I can see where Dave Rawlings would be frustrated, as he’s a professional in this industry. His expertise is on point, and frankly, this isn’t a scene I’d fall on my sword to defend. At the same time, I think I’ll still be able to enjoy it, infamy and all. On the other hand, if anyone tries to argue that the role of Jinx isn't one of the best Halle Berry performances, I don't care what their expertise is, they're absolutely wrong.

A scene of intimacy can be daunting, whether it’s just a little kiss or something much more intense. For Adam Devine, his time filming the new Netflix comedy The Out-Laws came with a fun challenge in that arena, as he had to get up close and personal with a movie legend. Not once, but twice, does the man get to kiss Pierce Brosnan in this action rom-com, which leads one to wonder, how do you prepare for that? 

Well, it apparently involves not a lot of thought, but some over-the-counter cosmetic magic instead. At least, that’s what I was told when speaking with Devine and his co-star Nina Dobrev on behalf of this weekend’s release of The Out-Laws. The romantic action/comedy is part of what’s new on Netflix in July, and the three of us dug into some of the exciting feats that came with the territory. 

So when I asked Adam Devine how he readied himself to kiss a man who’s undoubtedly one of the most charming movie stars we have today, this is what he shared with CinemaBlend: 

Despite the intense charm of The Thomas Crown Affair actor, there’s no romance behind this pair of moments between Devine and Brosnan. Actually, it all starts with the former James Bond introducing himself to his future son-in-law with a surprise kiss rather than a firm and traditional handshake. 

It’s a moment that cashes in on that gregarious charm Pierce Brosnan has been known for, while also throwing Adam Devine’s Owen off guard. So one could see why this Workaholics veteran wouldn’t want to overthink the moment, as the closest he can get to Owen’s shock and surprise, the better. Also, Devine probably realized, like any sane person with a Netflix subscription, that there’s no “being ready” for kissing Pierce Brosnan. It’s just a situation you need to dive into and report about afterwards. 

As the cast of The Out-Laws includes people like Lil Rel Howery, Ellen Barkin and Michael Rooker, you can already think of some of the crazy stuff this ensemble has done for other projects. This comedy’s leading man is no exception to that roster of achievements, as Devine did do full-frontal nudity for his previous Netflix movie Game Over, Man!. So really, how crazy was two kisses with the fifth James Bond?

While he may not have consciously prepared himself for the craziness of Happy Madison’s latest endeavor in the streaming realm, the actor did have the right stuff needed to return that kiss in a huge callback gag. I won’t spoil the fun as to how Adam Devine bookends his Pierce Brosnan kiss. I will, however, encourage you to check out The Out-Laws for yourself, as it’s currently streaming on Netflix. 

Hollywood has shown audiences a ton of different versions of the “meeting the parents” scenario, with some clear hits and misses along the way. Netflix is hoping that its latest take on the couple's rite of passage in The Out-Laws provides enough of a twist to attract an audience with its new action comedy, available to stream with a Netflix subscription as of July 7. Adam Devine and Nina Dobrev star as the to-be-married duo, and the critics who were able to screen the movie ahead of its release have weighed in with their thoughts about the action rom-com.

In addition to the Workaholics and The Vampire Diaries actors as Owen and Parker, respectively, The Out-Laws also stars Pierce Brosnan and Ellen Barkin as Parker’s parents. All is not as it appears for bank manager Owen when his future in-laws turn out to be criminals nicknamed the “Ghost Bandits,” and his fiancée is kidnapped. Let’s see what the critics have to say about the Netflix romp, starting with Collider’s Tania Hussain. She grades the movie a C-, but admits it’s often laugh-out-loud funny, saying: 

Murtada Elfadl of Variety points to films with similar plotlines, like Meet the Parents and Fun with Dick and Jane, as examples of why The Out-Laws could have been funnier. However, the critic says the screenplay resorts to juvenile humor targeting the lowest common denominator. Elfadi continues: 

If The Out-Laws fails in the eyes of the critics, however, it’s possibly not for lack of trying. Noel Murray of the L.A. Times finds its raunchiness and action sequences “a bit too much,” explaining: 

Pete Hammond of Deadline says audiences willing to settle for sheer mayhem will be engaged, but the Netflix film fails to deliver the fun and heart the stacked cast is capable of. Hammond writes: 

David Ehrlich of IndieWire gives The Out-Laws the grade of C, calling the action comedy “passable,” with Ellen Barkin and Pierce Brosnan being better than they needed to be for the movie with what the critic calls a “first-drafty” feel. Ehrlich continues: 

With a Rotten Tomatoes critics rating of just 26%, this “meet the parents” action comedy may not be getting off to the strongest start. But despite any issues people have with the script, many who have seen the movie found things to enjoy in the performances and with some raunchy chuckle-worthy humor. 

If this sounds like a movie you’d like to check out, grab the microwave popcorn, because it is available for streaming now. Also be sure to see what else is new and coming soon to Netflix, and if you’re hoping to get out of the house for your next movie, take a peek at our 2023 Movie Schedule to see what’s hitting the big screen soon. 

The first half of the 2023 Netflix movie schedule saw intense action thrillers like Extraction 2 and comedies like You People, and the second part of the year gets underway with a movie, Tyler Spindel’s The Out-Laws, that includes elements found in both of those releases. The movie, which stars Adam DeVine as a bank manager who believes his future in-laws are notorious bank robbers, is currently streaming for anyone with a Netflix subscription, and there’s a good chance you’re wondering where you’ve seen the actors before.

Below is a breakdown of the major players from The Out-Laws cast, which includes one of the best actors to play James Bond, a Tony Award-winning actress, a XXX: Return of Xander Cage star, and some comedy legends. Let’s break it all down now… 

Adam DeVine (Owen) 

First up is Adam DeVine, who appears in The Out-Laws as Owen, a bank manager whose future in-laws are believed to be a pair of criminals named the “Ghost Bandits.”

Best known for his portrayal of Adam DeKamp on the Comedy Central series, Workaholics, DeVine has also had a major role in the Pitch Perfect movies (as well as the Peacock spinoff series, Bumper in Berlin). Over the years, the actor has led shows like Adam DeVine’s House Party, Uncle Grandpa, Green Eggs and Ham, and countless others. His film credits include everything from Nancy Meyers’ The Intern to Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedilics, and so much more. 

Nina Dobrev (Parker)

Nina Dobrev appears as Owen’s fiancée, Parker, who ends up being held hostage after one of her parents’ latest scores ticks off the wrong person.

Dobrev has been a well-known name in the world of TV for the past couple of decades thanks to roles on shows like Degrassi: The Next Generation and The Vampire Diaries, on which she played not one, but two different characters throughout the series’ run. Over the years, the actress has also appeared in movies like XXX: Return of Xander Cage, The Perks of Being a Wallflower adaptation, Chloe, and a couple dozen others. 

Pierce Brosnan (Billy McDermott) 

Next up is Pierce Brosnan, who plays Parker’s bank-robbing dad, Billy McDermott.

Though instantly recognizable from his four James Bond movies (a role that is addressed in The Out-Laws trailer), Brosnan has a ton of other credits that would have made a great career even without having 007 tied to his name. Shows like Remington Steele, movies like Mrs. Doubtfire, The Thomas Crown Affair, and the Mamma Mia! musicals, all quickly come to mind. The actor has even appeared in several 007 video games throughout his career, including 2004’s James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing, which featured his voice in addition to his likeness. 

Ellen Barkin (Lilly McDermott) 

Ellen Barkin shows up in The Out-Laws as Lilly McDermott, Owen’s soon-to-be mother-in-law and an accomplished bank robber.

Over the years, Barkin has made a name for herself on the big screen, on a number of TV shows, and in Broadway performances like the one in The Normal Heart, for which she earned a Tony Award. If you’re a fan of movies like Drop Dead Gorgeous, Ocean’s Thirteen, and even The Big Easy, then you more than likely recognized the actress. The same can be said about shows like The New Normal, Animal Kingdom, and the Peacock original series, Poker Face. 

Michael Rooker (FBI Agent Roger Oldham)

Michael Rooker portrays Roger Oldham, an FBI agent hot on the trail of the Ghost Bandits and their latest escapades.

From his appearances in some of the best Marvel movies to his time in The Walking Dead cast, there are a lot of reasons why Rooker looks so familiar. One of the best and most prolific character actors of our time, the frequent James Gunn collaborator has done a little bit of everything over the years, including classics like JFK, Eight Men Out, and even Cliffhanger, to name only a few. Seriously, he’s done it all. 

Richard Kind (Neil) 

Richard Kind is another prolific actor appearing in the film, where he can be seen playing Owen’s father, Neil.

Fans of Pixar movies like Inside Out, A Bug’s Life, Toy Story 3, and various other animated classics will more than likely recognize Kind’s voice as soon as he comes on screen in the new Netflix movie. The same can be said about those who have long watched Curb Your Enthusiasm, Spin City, and even some of the best episodes of Scrubs. There’s a chance that everyone reading this has seen or heard Kind over the years. 

Julie Hagerty (Margie)

Julie Hagerty appears in The Out-Laws as Owen’s mom, Margie.

If you’re a fan of classic parody movies, then you’ll surely remember Hagerty from her portrayal of Elaine Dickinson in Airplane! and its 1982 sequel. Over the years, Hagerty has popped up in movies like What About Bob?, Confessions of a Shopaholic, Instant Family, and most recently, A Christmas Story Christmas. 

Lil Rel Howery (Tyree) 

Next up is Lil Rel Howery, who shows up as Tyree, one of Owen’s co-workers at the bank.

Over the course of the past decade, Howery has become one of the most recognizable faces in comedy thanks to scene-stealing performances in movies like Get Out, Uncle Drew, and even Bird Box. The actor and comedian has also had a successful TV career as well, with roles on series like The Carmichael Show, Insecure, Craig of the Creek, and in his own short-lived sitcom titled Rel. 

Poorna Jagannathan (Rehan)

Poorna Jagannathan takes on the role of Rehan, a dangerous criminal who takes Parker hostage after her parents’ latest bank robbery.

Fans of another Netflix original, Never Have I Ever, will surely recognize Jagannathan from her portrayal of Dr. Nalini Vishwakumar, but she has a ton of other credits to her name. Over the years, she has appeared on shows like Ramy, Gypsy, The Night Of, House of Cards, Royal Pains, and multiple others. As far as her film credits are concerned, the actress has been in movies like The Weather Man, The Circle, and Share. She’s also slated to appear in the upcoming adaptation of Turtles All the Way Down. 

Lauren Lapkus (Phoebe)

Lauren Lapkus plays Phoebe, another manager at Owen’s bank.

Lapkus has appeared in a number of Netflix productions throughout her career, including the 2020 romantic comedy, The Wrong Missy, and one of the streamer’s first original shows, Orange is the New Black. Over the years, she has also landed roles in movies like Happiest Season, Opening Night, and Jurassic World. 

Laci Mosley (Marisol)

Next up is Laci Mosley, who appears in The Out-Laws as Marisol, an employee at Owen’s bank.

If you are a fan of A Black Lady Sketch Show, the Paramount+ original series iCarly, or Lopez vs Lopez, then you should definitely recognize her. Over the years, Mosley has also made small appearances on everything from Insecure to Kenan and Better Call Saul to Sherman’s Showcase. 

Blake Anderson (RJ)

And then there is Blake Anderson, who appears as Owen’s cousin, RJ.

Over the years, Anderson has worked with his The Out-Laws co-star Adam DeVine a number of times, with their biggest collaboration being the long-running Workaholics, which they co-created more than a decade ago. Anderson was also a major part of the 2018 Netflix movie, Game Over, Man! alongside DeVine and their longtime collaborator, Anders Holm. 

Well, this about catches us up with The Out-Laws cast. The movie is currently streaming, but if you want to know more about other titles that will soon come to a streaming service or theater near you, check out our 2023 movie schedule.  

Stream The Out-Laws on Netflix.

One certainly gets the impression that being a celebrity is all red-carpet events and parties while living in mansions. And while I’m sure Pierce Brosnan has a very nice house, the former James Bond star (who's stated that he's done with 007) just found himself with something of an unwanted guest inside his home. A man reportedly entered Brosnan’s laundry room and used it to clean himself up. And that was apparently after the individual used a neighbor’s house as a bathroom.

TMZ reports that police were called to Pierce Brosnan’s home in Malibu following the report of a man allegedly urinating and defecating in the backyard of one of Brosnan’s neighbors. Following this, the man reportedly went onto the property of the Mamma Mia! actor and entered a laundry room, where he used the water to clean himself up. It was at this point that the police apparently arrived. 

The man left the actor’s house and headed down to the beach in an attempt to escape the authorities. Ultimately though, he was apprehended shortly thereafter with the aid of a police helicopter and later booked for burglary. Specifically, he was cited for the theft of the veteran star's water. 

Pierce Brosnan had to take legal action and file a restraining order against an alleged stalker last year, who the actor claimed had been harassing himself and his family at their Malibu home. So finding an unwanted person inside the house certainly could have been something more serious. He isn't the only celeb who's had to deal with house invaders, either. Alexandra Daddario, had to deal with an alleged stalker at home, for example. Dakota Johnson also had to take action against an alleged stalker last year.  We’ve seen stalking problems turn violent before, so the possibility of danger is real. Luckily, that wasn't the case here. 

The 007 icon's wife was apparently home during all this, though it’s unclear if the actor was as well. We also don't know just how aware his wife was that somebody had entered their laundry room. Yet one can only imagine that a strange person entering your house has to be a little scary when you don’t really know what’s going on. It could have been something much more concerning than just a person apparently deciding that somebody’s yard looked like a good place to relieve oneself.

And honestly, while it’s unclear what state the laundry room was left in, at least Pierce Brosnan doesn’t have to deal with the mess left behind in his neighbor’s yard. It’s bad enough if somebody doesn’t clean up after their dog and you end up having to take care of things. Having a person relieve themselves in your backyard is just one of those situations nobody wants to ever have to deal with. While the man may have been booked on theft, there may be some other charges that can be made regarding the defecation depending on the amount of damage caused by it.

It’s a tale as old as time: boy meets girl, finds a stable relationship with said girl, and finds out his future in-laws are bank robbers. Ok, so maybe Netflix’s new action rom-com The Out-Laws strays from the usual path to romance a bit differently, but the film’s first trailer does show this 2023 new movie release has quite a flair for the comedic. And part of that is thanks to an A+ joke about the James Bond movies that could only happen with former 007 Pierce Brosnan involved.

Netflix’s first trailer for this summer offering shows us the story of Owen (Adam Devine) and Parker (Nina Dobrev), a pair of crazy kids ready to get married. So far so good, as again the red streaming giant makes hay with these sorts of romances quite often. The arrival of Parker’s parents (Ellen Barkin and Pierce Brosnan) complicates things a bit, but not merely with the usual claims that their daughter can do better.

Before you know it, mom and dad are outed as the infamous bank robbers known as “The Ghost Bandits,” and their daughter is kidnapped by some intense people who they’ve wronged in the past. It all leads up to Owen needing to prove he can hang with The Out-Laws, and posing with a gun that kicks off this moment of soon-to-be family bonding:

"Adam Devine: Do I look cool?

Ellen Barkin: Yeah. You look like James Bond.

Pierce Brosnan: Which one?

Barkin: Five.

Brosnan: Well that was a good one."

The joke works on so many levels, and all of them are because of Ellen Barkin and Pierce Brosnan’s comedic timing together. Landing the nail on the head by highlighting Brosnan’s James Bond as the fifth of the current six actors to play the role, it’s a sly reference. But including the Irish acting superstar in on the deal, complete with his wry and dry sense of humor, turns it into a gag that even the late Roger Moore would be pleased with. 

Looking at the bigger picture for The Out-Laws, this new addition to new movies and TV shows on Netflix looks like another fun ride that knows exactly what it’s winking and nodding at. It’s reminiscent to the full trailer for FUBAR, which suggested pretty heavily that Arnold Schwarzenegger was sending up his previous role as a secret superspy/family man in True Lies. You could even extend that metaphor to Ellen Barkin, who seems to have switched to robbing vaults instead of securing them as a part of the Ocean’s Thirteen cast. 

No matter how you look at it, or what references you pull from this breezy romp through our first look at The Out-Laws, explosive fun is being promised. It’s also a good sign that when it comes to actors who have played James Bond, Netflix is shaping up to be a platform to let actors like Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig kick back and have some fun. Just imagine the jokes that could come from a hypothetical meeting for Knives Out 3. 

If this looks like your brand of action, romance, and laughter, you can prepare to meet The Out-Laws on July 7th. While you don’t need an engagement ring to seal the deal, a Netflix subscription will do the trick rather nicely. And if you want to see more Pierce Brosnan comedy gold on that same platform, check out Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga; which also happens to be a Netflix original.

Watching the development of the James Bond movies throughout the 60-year history that made them, certain threads have developed over time. Evolving through various fronts to keep the franchise on the forefront of sociopolitical culture, enemy and ally alike have changed to keep 007 current.

One of the major fields that’s seen some of the largest strides towards modernity has been the development of female characters and how they’re treated in Commander Bond’s world. This is something that franchise vet Colin Salmon feels marked the Pierce Brosnan years of Bond rather well, as he believes that the women only became more empowered as his four-movie run went on. Describing that phenomenon for himself, Salmon explained his feelings to the Spyhards Podcast in his recent interview, as follows: 

While there have been many Bond Women who were 007’s equal throughout the decades, progress did seem to hit the most throughout the Brosnan run. Right out of the gate in Goldeneye, Dame Judi Dench’s casting as M saw her variant of Ian Fleming’s spymaster dressing down Commander Bond as if he were a rebellious schoolboy. 

That foundation paved the way for some iconic female leads on both sides of the moral compass in the next three films, which saw Colin Salmon become a part of the Bond family. In addition to Michelle Yeoh’s commanding turn as Colonel Wai Lin in Tomorrow Never Dies, we also saw another agent that challenged James throughout their mission thanks to Halle Berry’s casting as Jinx in Die Another Day.

Even villains like Xenia Onatopp (Famke Janssen), Elektra King (Sophie Marceau) and Miranda Frost (Rosamund Pike) each got to play a part in deconstructing the James Bond mystique. Continuing to praise his former co-star, Colin Salmon had the following remarks to add: 

Pierce Brosnan’s progressive streak certainly didn’t end in encouraging the further development of his female co-stars. When his own tenure in the role came to an end, the actor championed Colin Salmon’s candidacy, both leading up to the start of the Daniel Craig run of 007 films and throughout its own march of progress. One could even say that by time Lashana Lynch’s Nomi was named the new 007 in No Time To Die, it was the union of both sentiments, ultimately breaking down yet another barrier of entry.

The past couple of years have seen fans wondering if actors of various ethnicities and sexual orientations will be considered as the 7th face of the James Bond franchise. There’s even the occasional talk of whether or not James Bond should become female, and all of these discussions have undoubtedly come thanks to Pierce Brosnan’s era opening those doors.

As we begin to look towards who might become the next Bond, one thing that’s certain is the pool for the new 007 is greater than ever. Along with that comes greater potential for the companions, female or otherwise, that team up with everyone’s favorite "corrupt Western agent" to prevent global chaos. Let’s hope that whatever happens next, another role like Colin Salmon’s Charles Robinson pops up to keep pushing things forward; and may it be filled by an actor as knowledgeable and versatile as him.

Action is an integral part of the thrilling legacy that is the 007 franchise. When the team behind the James Bond movies enters into each new adventure, there’s an important question that is always asked: what sort of never before achieved thrills can be used to entertain Bond fans old and new?

Most of the time this process yields something as impressive as the last-minute addition of Skyfall’s big train crash, but in the wrong hands, even the most impressive feat of practical and physical know-how as the centerpiece can mutate into a moment of infamy. That’s exactly what happened with Die Another Day, and 20 years later, Bond franchise star Colin Salmon is still driven crazy by one CGI-heavy sequence in particular.

Yes my dear Bond Blend readers, it’s time to once again dig up the case of what is considered one of the low points of the Pierce Brosnan James Bond films: CGI surfing! Salmon isn’t alone in his criticisms, with fans still lamenting the fact that 007 para-surfing on a massive glacial tsunami was ever allowed to happen in the first place. 

However, during Colin Salmon’s appearance on the Spyhards Podcast, those frustrations kind of hit a new peak of anger. I say this, because as he reveals in the blurb below, there was already an impressive, practical surfing stunt that was already built into the film: 

Repeating a stunt, no matter what franchise you’re talking about, is a risky move. However, it’s rather boneheaded to pull off actual, on-camera surfing, only to repeat that move in a vastly less consistent CGI product. The worst part about it all is that we’re supposed to believe that both of these instances have shown us the same 007 at work. 

For comparison, take a look at this clip from the opening of Die Another Day. Here,  James Bond and his team surf into position, kicking off the movie’s pre-credits sequence:

Once again, the tradition of practical approaches to big stunts pays off. However, the 20th James Bond movie gradually goes off the rails after its shocking pre-credits capture of Commander Bond. Getting campier and campier as time goes on, it’s entertaining to try and find the moment any viewer feels Die Another Day has jumped the shark. 

This leads us to that CGI-surfing scene, in which Pierce Brosnan escapes death with a parachute and an impromptu surfboard. Keep in mind, the 007 you see here is supposed to have surfed with proficiency in that earlier sequence:

The cringe is real with the “Tsunami Surfing” clip from Die Another Day. Viewers who enjoy this film for its campier bits could agree that this is a glacier too far, and with good reason. Colin Salmon’s experience in the world of Bond has given him an appreciation for how the inner machinery truly worked, and it’s unfortunate that even with the best crew in play, a scene like this was allowed to happen. 

Public and critical reaction to the movie would play a part in both dumping Pierce Brosnan and rebooting 007 with Casino Royale. One wouldn’t be surprised if it also led to the scrapping of Halle Berry’s proposed Jinx spinoff. Considering the run of movies we got from the Daniel Craig eras, some might even say this new direction was worth the risk.

After losing that spinoff, as well as skipping Colin Salmon’s potential candidacy as 007, it's almost enough to stoke the fires against Die Another Day all over again. Twenty years on, we'll just have to wait and see how fans reappraise the film, as many Bond adventures have seen fortunes shift in either direction over time. No matter what happens, that CGI scene is definitely an example of what happens when this saga gets it absolutely wrong, and should haunt us as such.

Trying to recast the face of the James Bond movies always leads to an intense field of competition. History has offered some interesting candidates when it came to the men who could have been 007, and one of the more recent examples is Bond vet Colin Salmon. The man actually impressed Pierce Brosnan so much that the actor championed him to be a James Bond successor. But how close was it all to actually happening? 

How Close Was Colin Salmon To Being Considered For James Bond?

Before the world even knew that Casino Royale would be the next installment, Salmon’s name had come up in the running to become the next James Bond. Serving in the role of Charles Robinson, one of the MI6 family active throughout Pierce Brosnan’s era as 007, the Resident Evil actor carved out a rather unique niche in this closely guarded world. 

One only need look at the betting odds reported by Sky back in 2004, which saw Colin Salmon becoming a favorite for the role. That being said, we’ve seen first hand how actors like Regé-Jean Page and Henry Cavill can top the betting odds without any official word. 

So when Salmon was a guest on the Spyhards Podcast, he was asked just how close he’d officially come to wearing the tuxedo himself. In his response, Colin denied any official conversations ever taking place, while at the same time explaining what this discourse meant to him: 

As previously mentioned, the hoopla surrounding Colin Salmon’s potential James Bond casting kicked up at a very uncertain time in the franchise. With Pierce Brosnan’s post-Die Another Day firing opening up the path to the next Commander Bond, it was a wide open field.

However, just as fans were skeptical of a "blonde Bond," Salmon personally experienced how fans were treating the possibility of the first black James Bond. Eventually director Martin Campbell screen tested eight actors, and Daniel Craig would emerge victorious. Meanwhile, Salmon would still have the support of his greatest defender, even into the following era of Bond films. 

How Colin Salmon’s James Bond Experience Convinced Pierce Brosnan He'd Make A Solid New Bond

For Colin, convincing Pierce Brosnan he was ready to become the next James Bond helped him stay in the franchise for as long as he did. While originally not slated to appear in 1997’s Tomorrow Never Dies, Colin Salmon was the first choice for a new role written for the film. What really landed him the gig, and Brosnan’s admiration, was the fact that Salmon had helped screen test the Bond Girl candidates for that very picture; including Monica Bellucci.

When asked if Charles Robinson was supposed to stick around throughout The World is Not Enough and Die Another Day, Colin Salmon admitted it wasn’t initially in the cards. Once again, a tale of Pierce Brosnan's generosity came up, thanks to Salmon telling the story of how he came back as Robinson: 

Catalyzing Salmon’s return to the Bond fold, Pierce Brosnan still championed his co-star’s potential promotion to 007 well into the Craig era. In a franchise that’s sparked many “what if” discussions about who could have played the lead, Colin Salmon is one of the most intriguing. Were he to have won the day, he would have been the first black James Bond, as well as the first to have been cast from within the inner workings. 

More importantly, with the results of his screen tests with the women trying to secure their own place in the Bond legacy, it sounds like Salmon would have been a fantastic 007 for the modern age. It’s a shame it never happened, but comforting to know that Pierce Brosnan was in Colin Salmon’s corner for the long run, and probably still is. 

For this story, and others, Colin Salmon’s full interview is now available wherever you ethically source your podcasts. And if you happened to miss the final film of Daniel Craig’s James Bond run, you can currently stream No Time To Die if you have a Prime Video subscription. 

For as long as there have been celebrities, there have been famous kids. And when these children of privilege end up having their own success in the industry, talks of nepotism are bound to happen. Lily-Rose Depp recently got into hot water with a fellow model over her response to being identified as a “nepo baby.” And unlike Lily-Rose, Pierce Brosnan's kids have gotten candid about feelings on their nepotism.

Lily-Rose Depp is a model and actress, who has been clear that she wants her talents to stand on their own, regardless of her famous father Johnny Depp. But Pierce Brosnan’s two sons Paris and Dylan seemingly have another attitude about being part of a famous family. As 21-year old Paris spoke to E! News about the subject of nepotism, saying:

Well, there you have it. It seems like Paris Brosnan isn’t too bothered by association with his James Bond alum father, or any chatter that might follow him regarding nepotism. Instead, he feels grateful to be given so many opportunities, and is aiming to work hard and find his own path. Pretty refreshing, right?

As previously mentioned, Lily-Rose Depp got into hot water with Italian model Vittoria Ceretti over comments she made about nepotism. The Voyagers actress spoke to Elle about about backlash she’s faced over her famous father, saying:

While Lily-Rose Depp clarified her comments and made it clear that she can’t compare her job to that of a doctor, this comment soon went viral. Eventually this lead to model Vittoria Ceretti tearing into Depp on her personal Instagram stories, and explaining some of the real financial and personal struggles that came as she was getting established in her career. One has to wonder if she might appreciate the comments given recently by Paris Brosnan.

Despite any chatter, Lily-Rose Depp has a number of exciting projects coming down the line, including Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu movie. In the meantime, check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. And her famous father is also in the midst of a comeback, including his first post-trial movie.

The new DC blockbuster Black Adam is, without a doubt, a starring vehicle for Dwayne Johnson. The movie was marketed on the broad shoulders of action superstar The Rock, and the actor did heavy amounts of global press to ensure that he lured audiences out to theaters to see the movie. It worked, as Black Adam box office broke records for The Rock (but is meager by the standard of DC movies in general). But the movie also served as a proper introduction to a DC team that could be very important for stories moving forward, namely the Justice Society of America. And a standout from the team was Doctor Fate, played by Pierce Brosnan. 

If one looks closely at the detail that Pierce Brosnan brings to Doctor Fate, you will pick up on the fact that there are very personal items included in his costuming and wardrobe. Mind you, they might be hard to pick up on initially due to the explosive action that is happening in Black Adam for the movie’s run time. Even after you have looked over the key details you need to know about Doctor Fate, there were still a few lingering questions about the hero… namely why he wore a wedding ring. When we posed the question to Brosnan during a recent Black Adam press day, we learned more about the ring… but also about the character’s time piece. He told CinemaBlend:

But in Pierce Brosnan’s opinion, they fit the mood when he was helping to put Doctor Fate together with Black Adam costume designers Kurt and Bart. 

We’d love to explore more about Doctor Fate in upcoming DC films, but as our own Adam Holmes points out, the way that Black Adam handled the Justice Society of America leaves a little to be desired, and Brosnan’s future in the franchise is… in doubt. There have been rumors of Black Adam scenes that could have teased more adventures for Doctor Fate. They didn’t happen, but that means the character might actually be back on the board, especially now that James Gunn is pulling the strings at DC.

We shall see what the future holds for Black Adam, the JSA, and that dude in the mid-credits scene as Warner Bros. continues to build out its on-screen universe, so stay tuned.

Warning: SPOILERS for Black Adam are present in this discussion. Consider this a friendly warning if you’re concerned with avoiding spoilers. 

We’re still in the thick of Black Adam mania here, folks. Dwayne Johnson’s big new movie release is plugging away as the latest offering from the DC universe of cinema, and there’s certainly a lot to talk about. I’m not just talking about Henry Cavill’s big return as Superman either, as there are quite a few moments that seem to have stuck out in director Jaume Collet-Serra’s anti-hero epic.

Strangely enough, one such aspect that stuck out for me was a moment that saw one particular plot point borrowing from the MCU playbook, and it’s absolutely not a problem. In fact, the way that Black Adam uses a sticking point from the Avengers movies stood out as a highlight in the entire movie. Those trying to avoid spoilers should turn away, as I’m going to spill some secrets about a specific scene and why it works so well.

The MCU Moment Black Adam Stole For Its Third Act

Throughout Black Adam’s scenes dealing with the Justice Society of America, we get the impression that Doctor Fate (Pierce Brosnan) isn’t exactly telling the whole truth about his apocalyptic visions of the future. Having hinted that Hawkman (Aldis Hodge) will have to die in order for the battle against the evil Sabbac (Marwan Kenzari) to be won, Brosnan’s Kent Nelson assures Carter Hall that when the time is right, he’ll know it’s their big goodbye.

You’re probably thinking that sounds familiar, right? Well, I wouldn’t blame you, as this is almost exactly the same playbook that Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) follow throughout Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. With the MCU’s own magical doctor scanning the continuum of outcomes against Thanos (Josh Brolin), Stephen Strange warns Tony Stark that there’s only one outcome that assures victory. 

Cryptically telling Tony that he’ll know what that moment is when it happens, it’s almost exactly like the path we see taking hold in Black Adam. Except there are some crucial differences that see Doctor Fate differing drastically from Doctor Strange. Most importantly, it’s Doctor Fate who ends up taking the fall in the end.  

How Doctor Fate’s Demise Spins Doctor Strange’s Prediction In Avengers: Infinity War

Rather than have Hawkman sacrificing himself in Black Adam, Doctor Fate conceals the fact that there’s another option in play. Hiding the knowledge that there’s another option is just as potent as hiding who exactly is going to die. Kent Nelson’s actions track with Stephen Strange's in the respect that if he shares the future in bold print, it will inspire our hero to try to alter the outcome.

That’s where the similarities end though. In the two-part Avengers epic, Tony Stark being kept in the dark so that his tendency to try and think his way out of any scenario is kept at bay. It’s basically a fail safe against the egoism he still holds within, even if he’s a wiser, more family-driven person at this point in his life. Not to mention, this may not have even been necessary had we not been party to one of Doctor Strange’s worst MCU decisions. You know, the one where Strange just gave up the Time Stone to Thanos!

Hawkman isn’t the same sort of thinker when it comes to Black Adam’s big events, as Carter Hall is ready to lay down his life for his team. Kent Nelson knows this, and so by hiding the truth from the Justice Society of America's leader, he’s allowed to control the plan. Doctor Fate dies so that the friend he trusts can lead his team more effectively, which is part of what makes this decision a story beat I’m ok with. Also, he didn’t self-sabotage the plan in the process, and that’s always a good thing to see in a hero’s decision-making process.

Why I’m Ok With Black Adam Remixing This MCU Heartbreak

Shielding his team, and making the final sacrifice to aid in Black Adam defeating Sabbac, Doctor Fate’s actions look relatively more heroic. Not that Doctor Strange wasn’t doing what had to be done himself in Avengers: Infinity War, but he basically admitted in that cryptic moment with Iron Man that he was going to die. That sort of thinking convinced me that Black Adam was going to pull a similar move for some time, up until Kent Nelson finally gave up his helmet in service of the world.

Remixing the idea of a soothsaying hero calling the big shot to save the day is one of the parts about Black Adam that actually worked for me. Though I’d only seen the Justice Society of America on screen for a few moments, Doctor Fate’s actions hammered home the camaraderie of the team to a tee. Then again, it also helps that Pierce Brosnan’s natural charisma helped everything gel in the way that it did.

I know not everyone’s going to agree with me that cribbing an emotional beat straight from an MCU movie is a good thing, and I’m even surprised I’m saying it myself. However, with the tweaks presented and the moral/ethical questions it raised, Black Adam’s huge emotional twist used shorthand thinking to its advantage. Setting and dashing expectations in one fell swoop, it’s made me want to see the Justice Society of America in action again.

Those of you who need to think on this matter a little more, or have read through these Black Adam spoilers without having seen the film, are in luck. Dwayne Johnson’s hierarchy-altering DC Comics movie is still running in theaters and is expected to have a healthy second weekend out. 

Or, if you’re looking for more DC Universe thrills in the world of streaming, you’ll want to make sure you still have an active HBO Max subscription. Everything from animation to live-action films and series, and eventually Black Adam itself, will be kept here for your viewing pleasure.

Needless to say that with a movie called Black Adam, the chief purpose is for the title character played by Dwayne Johnson to shine brightest, and this was certainly accomplished. However, the latest addition to the DC movies library is also notable for featuring the Justice Society of America, which was introduced to 1940, making it the comic book medium’s first superhero team. The JSA has previously been seen in live-action in Smallville, Legends of Tomorrow and Stargirl, but Black Adam marks its theatrical debut, meaning this is the first time a lot of people are learning about the team.

For Black Adam, the Justice Society consisted of Aldis Hodge’s Hawkman, Pierce Brosnan’s Doctor Fate, Quintessa Swindell’s Cyclone and Noah Centineo’s Atom Smasher. As a longtime JSA fan (I read their Golden Age stories as a kid and enjoyed the JSA and Justice Society of America comic book series that ran back-to-back from 1999 to 2011), I was jazzed to see this property finally get its due on the big screen, but walking out of Black Adam, I had mixed feelings about how these four characters were handled. So let’s go over how this 2022 movie release did rightly and wrongly by each Justice Society member.

Black Adam SPOILERS are ahead!

Hawkman

What Black Adam got right: Right off the bat, Aldis Hodge’s Hawkman costume looks tremendous. While I might’ve gone for a splattering of green rather than red, the golden armor, mask and wings constructed from Nth metal make the character look like he was peeled right off a comic book page, along with the mace and shield he wielded in battle. Hodge also did a great job portraying Hawkman as the Justice Society’s leader, who goes way back with Doctor Fate and is ready to show Atom Smasher and Cyclone the ropes of protecting the innocent. 

What Black Adam got wrong: Hawkman is never one to shy away from a fight, and rightly so. However, he was treated like too much of a punching bag in Black Adam. Obviously Dwayne Johnson’s character significantly overpowered Carter Hall, but it would have been nice to see the winged superhero either get in a few more decent blows against Teth-Adam or at least not get tossed around as much in comparison to his teammates. More importantly, I was bothered that absolutely none of Hawkman’s backstory was explored in Black Adam. I realize the character has a convoluted history in the comics, but moviegoers could have easily been tipped off to how Carter has reincarnated many times over the millennia stretching back to ancient Egypt. Then this could be explored more in-depth in a Black Adam sequel or a Justice Society spinoff movie.

Doctor Fate

What Black Adam got right: I won’t mince words, Pierce Brosnan gives Black Adam’s best performance. The James Bond actor excelled at playing Kent Nelson, a.k.a. Doctor Fate, a magic-conjuring superhero who’s walked the Earth for a century and struggles with seeing potential futures regularly play out before him. Fate’s spells looked amazing, the helmet looked badass without the traditional eyeholes and Kent’s death in the climactic conflict was one of Black Adam’s most emotionally resonant moments. Fortunately, Dwayne Johnson said on Twitter that we’ll see more of Fate in upcoming DC movies, although he didn’t clarify whether this means more Brosnan (which is never a bad thing) or someone else will inherit the mantle.

What Black Adam got wrong: My main gripe with Doctor Fate in Black Adam doesn’t concern Pierce Brosnan’s Kent Nelson, but rather his helmet. In the comics, the Helmet of Fate is so much more than the tool from which Kent Nelson and the other individuals who’ve been Doctor Fate draw their powers. It also contains the spirit of Nabu, the Lord of Order who mentored Kent, but has also been shown to be ruthless in his conflict against the Lords of Chaos, to the point he even once took complete control over Kent’s body and mind. I don’t think Black Adam should have gone that far, but it would have been interesting to see Kent push back against Nabu’s cold-blooded tendencies.

Cyclone

What Black Adam got right: It would have been was enough to show Maxine Hunkel’s wind powers in a more conventional manner, but thankfully, Black Adam thought outside the box when bringing its Cyclone to life. The green and purple from Cyclone’s costume melding with the wind and sound currents she controlled was a dazzling display. Quintessa Swindell also effectively captured the enthusiasm of a young woman who’s just getting started in the superhero game and eager to show what’s capable of, and it was good to see that the DCEU’s Maxine is highly intelligent like her comic book counterpart.

What Black Adam got wrong: My issue with Cyclone in Black Adam is the same one I have with Atom Smasher: outside of their powers and basic personality quirks, there’s no dimension to these characters. In Cyclone’s case, her enthusiasm could have been kicked up a few notches; not to the point where she was annoying, but it would have been endearing to watch her geek out about getting to be part of the Justice Society. Black Adam also would have benefitted from shedding a little more light on the circumstances surrounding how Maxine got her powers and how she deals with that traumatic experience.

Atom Smasher

What Black Adam got right: While Black Adam taking creative liberties with Cyclone’s costume paid off, the movie’s team made the right call crafting a faithful Atom Smasher suit for Noah Centineo. Black Adam also nailed Albert Rothstein’s size-increasing ability, and the cherry on top of the proverbial sundae was Henry Winkler cameoing as Al Pratt, better known in the comics as the Golden Age Atom and Albert’s godfather. In this reality, Al is Albert’s uncle and was the first Atom Smasher.

What Black Adam got wrong:  As I said in the previous section, there’s really no dimension to Atom Smasher in Black Adam. He’s there to become massive, throw some punches, accidentally knock some things over in his gargantuan form and snack afterwards to regain energy. At the very least, the movie should have actually explored Albert looking to honor his uncle’s legacy as the new Atom Smasher. Also, in the comics, Black Adam and Atom Smasher started off as rivals before forming a brotherly relationship. Since there’s only so much to accomplish in a movie runtime, I didn’t expect Dwayne Johnson’s Black Adam and Noah Centineo’s Atom Smasher to form that deep a relationship, but had they been able to face off against each other, maybe a little more begrudging respect could have been established.

Though Black Adam has received more negative reviews from professional critics than positive ones, Dwayne Johnson has touted how much audiences love the latest DC movie, which has made over $150 million worldwide at the time of this writing. Now that we’ve covered the Justice Society, read through our breakdown of Superman appearing in the Black Adam end-credits scene.

Hello again, loyal Bond Blend readers! Our celebration of the theme songs written for the James Bond movies continues as planned, with our latest stop marking some hallowed territory. As a kid who was introduced to this franchise through the Pierce Brosnan era of 007, this period of time was vital to how I built my fandom of the films. Which by extension means that, besides the iconic “James Bond Theme” introduced in Dr. No, the tunes of the Brosnan flicks collectively made up my first big exposure to just what the right title sequence and track could do for a Bond movie.

As such, this next James Bond song ranking also gave me an opportunity to take a deeper look at some musical selections I’m already quite familiar with. One such note worth mentioning is that while Roger Moore’s 007 theme songs encompassed a wider range of musical styles, the Pierce Brosnan-era opening numbers found fresh footing through a very similar approach. We’ll get into that more throughout the forthcoming rundown, so let’s not waste any more time and rank this batch of songs from bomb to banger.

4. Die Another Day (2002)

I know I’ll get no points for originality here, but I can’t argue with nature. The absolute bottom of the Brosnan barrel was always going to be Madonna’s opening for Die Another Day; and there’s even a case to be made for it being named the worst Bond theme ever. The disappointment I felt the first time I heard this song leak onto the internet, and the dogpile that ensued, still rings true to this very day.

Even with those reservations, there are still some elements that kinda work amidst the rubble. Co-written by Madonna and Mirwais Ahmadzaï, with composer Michel Colombier in the mix as well, Die Another Day’s theme absolutely has an enjoyable beat to it. If only the sole criteria to a successful James Bond theme was whether or not you could dance to it.

That’s the best I can say for the lyrical minefield that is the 2002 film's opening act. Sigmund Freud references and patented Madonna cheek reign, in a song that's supposed to play over Pierce Brosnan's Bond being tortured as a captive of North Korea. Just as the words don't link into any deeper plot, the track itself has zero bearing on composer David Arnold’s score for Brosnan’s swan song, as the melody was purposefully omitted. No matter how much you analyze this (analyze this), it's a mess.

3. Goldeneye (1995)

Bono, The Edge, and Tina Turner are a team the world should be thankful ever assembled, especially when it came to reintroducing James Bond in the ‘90s. The U2 duo were tapped to craft the song for Goldeneye, despite some tough competition from acts like Ace of Base. Right from the beginning, the Pierce Brosnan era established that the themes were going to (mostly) be slower tempo songs, with lush lyrics really digging in.

A subversive picture begins to form when you take how the relationship between Alec Trevelyan (Sean Bean) and James Bond is painted in this film, as many a fan has holds Goldeneye up as a queer gem in the 007 legacy. It’s hard to argue when you hear the sensual villainy that Tina Turner is belting in the tune penned by Bono and The Edge. This song takes its time to weave a portrait of revenge and obsession, bordering on flat-out attraction, with lyrics touting “gold and honey traps.” Sound like any 00-agents you’ve seen trying to plunge England back into the Dark Ages?

With references of an antagonist who “watched from the shadows as a child,” the theme to Goldeneye ties directly into 006's tragic backstory, while modernizing the bombast of golden era Sean Connery tunes like Goldfinger. It’s a groundbreaker in more ways than one, and future Brosnan entries would only take this torch and run with it.

2. Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)

Speaking of torches, Tomorrow Never Dies has a bright, blazing light of regret and old flames burning at its heart. That statement applies to both the story of the film, as well as the title song from singer/co-writer Sheryl Crow and producer Mitchell Froom. Given that it's another story sung from a particular point of view, most have interpreted this as a sort of funeral march connected to 007’s ex-girlfriend, Paris Carver (Teri Hatcher).

Rather than making grand statements of world domination or praise for Commander Bond, this entry highlights something we rarely hear: the perspective of a Bond woman. When you open with the words, “Darlin’ I’m killed, I’m in a puddle on the floor. Waiting for you to return,” you know it’s not quite the same atmosphere as when somebody sings “Nobody Does It Better.”

While Tomorrow Never Dies almost did have a grand villain ballad in k.d. lang’s “Surrender,” that song was sent to the end credits in favor of the title track. Both tunes are amazing testaments to what a James Bond opener can do and deserve to be talked about as equals. In this case, Sheryl Crow’s noir-style ballad of how “martinis, girls, and guns” can kill a relationship ranks pretty high in the order of Brosnan bangers. 

1. The World Is Not Enough (1999)

What a coincidence that just as I’ve finished praising a song for not being a James Bond ballad of villainy, one such song appears as the top of the pack. I’d like to think no one would blame me though as, when composer David Arnold finally got to land an opening credits song, it had legendary 007 lyricist Don Black and rock band Garbage as part of the recipe. It all led to my favorite Pierce Brosnan theme song of all, the one that opens The World is Not Enough. 

I will admit that I’m a sucker for a good villain ballad, as evidenced by my top picks for both of the previous Bond eras I’ve ranked. Putting that aside, the level of polish and lyrical gamesmanship on display in The World is Not Enough’s signature tune is something I still admire to this very day. Just as Skyfall blew the world away with a huge return to traditional Bond openings, Shirley Manson and her band wove a spell that capped off the millennium in perfect fashion.

Lush strings collide with blaring horns, with Manson singing lyrics like “there’s no point in living if you can’t feel alive,” as if she were a siren. Knowing the story of the 1999 spy thriller, the reference and the execution made with those lyrics is a perfect appetizer to the movie ahead. 

Bear in mind, this ballad dropped right after what was the longest 007 pre-credits sequence at the time. If you can land the lyrical punch like this song did, right at the point where James Bond fans’ adrenaline is already pushed pretty high, you’ve done something right.  

Seeing as we’re only counting official Bond theme songs that opened the Pierce Brosnan era, that would mean the mayhem has officially concluded. Apologies to those of you who thought Mya’s theme for Everything or Nothing would wind up in this batch. However, the 007 legacy of songs opening Bond’s video game adventures might be something worth visiting a little further down the road.

For now, it’s time to say goodbye, as I look forward to the final consistent run of Bond songs: those from the Daniel Craig era of 007. Should this discussion have you primed to learn more about the musical history of James Bond, The Sound of 007 documentary and concert highlight special are both available with a Prime Video subscription.

That’s of course in addition to almost all of the Bond films streaming on the same platform; so consider it a doubled investment as one subscription gives you almost the entire world of Bond, James Bond. But stream carefully, as Prime Video has already started to remove some of the 007 adventures, and more are scheduled to depart in the near future.

Pierce Brosnan has played some iconic characters in his career but one of the performances he will likely forever be remembered for is his role in the Musical Mia! Brosnan’s singing is somewhat infamous in the history of movie musicals, because the fact is that he’s not the world’s greatest singer. However, he got to sing with Meryl Streep, and you didn't, so he doesn’t really care what you think.

Brosnan, who plays Dr. Fate in DC’s Black Adam on the big screen right now, spoke with NME and he was asked if he’d ever been offered the role of a musician in a biopic. Brosnan says that’s never happened, which he’s fine with, because he knows he's not hired to sing, even when he does. The only movies he’s ever sung in is Mama Mia! and its sequel. Brosnan knows his singing isn’t exactly Grammy worthy, but in those movies he says that's the joke. And he does have a platinum album because of it, and he got to sing with a cinematic icon, So F those people that have a problem. Brosnan says…

Pierce Brosnan knows his singing in Mamma Mia! Wasn’t the best, but he had a good time doing it, and so he’s clearly not that concerned with the perception of his performance. He lived the dream of those of us who like to sing in the shower but can’t carry a tune. If only we could all be so lucky. 

Casting musicals is always a bit tricky because there may be a role that would be perfectly played by an actor who can’t sing very well, or might have songs that would sound perfect coming from a singer who’s otherwise not right for the role. There have been a handful of cases where the singing in a musical maybe wasn’t top notch. Brosnan isn’t even the worst performance in a major film musical, but he’s certainly not the best either. The fact that he is one among a large ensemble cast in Mamma Mia! certainly helps.

For the record, Pierce Brosnan says that he would love to have played Elvis on the screen had he been given the chance, and been a capable singer. That role has been played on screen multiple times, most recently by Austin Butler in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis, and Brosnan is quite complimentary of that performance.  

Fans have been excited about Black Adam for a long time, but possibly not as long as the movie’s star, Dwayne Johnson. The actor confirmed his casting as the anti-hero in 2014, but his expressed interest in the character dates way back in 2007. The rigorous training began in 2020, and finally, FINALLY the next chapter of DC Movies is upon us. With atom smasher-sized expectations at the box office, Black Adam will show the titular character freed after thousands of years of imprisonment, with the Justice Society called in to try to neutralize him. Critics have screened the movie ahead of its October 21 release, and unfortunately, it looks like they aren't too pleased.

Alongside Dwayne Johnson, Aldis Hodge, Pierce Brosnan, Quintessa Swindell and Noah Centineo star as the members of the Justice Society, and director Jaume Collet-Serra brings his background in both horror and action/adventure. First reactions to Black Adam were mixed, with some viewers raving that The Rock ushers in a new DCEU era, while others criticized the “dull CGI.” Now that their full reviews are out, we can expand what we know about Dwayne Johnson’s blockbuster, and we’ll start with CinemaBlend’s review of Black Adam. Eric Eisenberg rates the movie 2.5 stars out of 5, saying it struggles to stand out in a crowded genre and is underwhelming, despite some interesting ideas: 

For more from CinemaBlend, you can also check out Managing Editor Sean O’Connell’s spoiler-free video review of Black Adam.

Mike Ryan of Uproxx agrees with Eric Eisenberg that there’s potential in the movie, but says it’s ultimately disappointing. The critic argues that choosing to keep the title character so stoic strips away all of Dwayne Johnson’s charisma, saying: 

Matt Singer of ScreenCrush also wonders why such a charming actor would feel so passionate about playing a one-dimensional character. He rates the movie 4 out of 10, saying this one wasn’t worth the wait: 

Alonso Duralde of The Wrap says Dwayne Johnson’s Black Adam is “stiff,” and by the time he develops a sense of humor late in the film, it’s too late. But of all the letdowns it has to offer, the visuals may be the worst offender. More from the review: 

That critic wasn’t the only one to comment on the visuals. Witney Seibold of SlashFilm rates it 3.5 out of 10, calling it a jumbled mess of a movie that feels like it wants us to anticipate what project comes next rather than enjoy this one. The filmmakers fail to establish a mood or stakes for the fights that have to happen, he says: 

David Ehrlich of IndieWire notes, as other critics have, that one of Black Adam’s main issues is that Dwayne Johnson and all involved aren’t willing to let the main character be all that bad. He grades the movie a D+, saying: 

If you’ve been excited for this movie for a long time, or if you’re a fan of DC or Dwayne Johnson in general, less-than-stellar reviews aren’t likely to keep you planning a trip to the theater. If you’re still game for this one, Black Adam will be released in theaters on Friday, October 21. 

In the meantime, be sure to check out CinemaBlend’s interviews with the Black Adam cast, including Johnson, Pierce Brosnan, Aldis Hodge and more. See what’s next for The Rock, as well as all of the action that’s in store for the DCEU with a look at our list of upcoming DC movies. 

Actor Pierce Brosnan has been a successful actor for decades, although his name is perhaps most closely associated with his tenure playing the title character of the James Bond franchise. But it turns out that he missed out on another major franchise role: Bruce Wayne/ Batman. And the former 007 recently explained how he blew the chance to play the Dark Knight for Tim Burton.

Tim Burton was the man behind the first two Batman movies, which starred Michael Keaton as Gotham’s protector. But Pierce Brosnan was also up for the role, although he clearly didn’t end up booking it. He recently appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to promote his upcoming DC movie, where he explained what went down when he was meeting with the Edward Scissorhands filmmaker, saying:

Well, there you have it. While Pierce Brosnan definitely had the acting chops and bone structure to pull off suiting up as Batman in Tim Burton’s pair of movies, he didn’t exactly nail the meeting with that visionary filmmaker. And the former James Bond even admits that the right man ultimately got the job. Plus he’s finally getting to play a DC superhero, just decades later.

Pierce Brosnan’s comments to Jimmy Fallon come as he’s promoting his role as Dr. Fate in Dwayne Johnson’s Black Adam movie (check out the reviews here). Fans are psyched to see 007 in a superhero suit and cape, and it seems like a long time coming– especially considering that he was up for the role of Batman back in the day. Luckily for fans, we don’t have to wait much longer until his DC hero is on the big screen.

Tim Burton’s Batman movies are still wildly popular, and were a huge success upon their release in 1989 and 1992 respectively. Michael Keaton’s performance is truly iconic, and fans are psyched to see him suit back up in The Flash (although he also had a role in the scrapped Batgirl movie). But it’s fun to imagine Pierce Brosnan in the role, although I have to wonder if he still would have gotten the role as James Bond if he’d already played the Dark Knight.

In Black Adam, Pierce Brosnan will play the DC hero Dr. Fate, who is one of the more experienced members of the Justice Society of America. He’s a magical hero who is expected to be quite powerful, and it should be interesting to see how his action sequences are handled. For his role, Brosnan rocked a motion capture suit while filming alongside fellow actors like Noah Centineo. 

Black Adam will hit theaters on October 21st. In the meantime, check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

“Black Adam” stars Dwayne Johnson (Black Adam/Teth Adam), Pierce Brosnan (Doctor Fate/Kent Nelson), Aldis Hodge (Hawkman/Carter Hall), Noah Centineo (Atom Smasher/Al Rothstein), Quintessa Swindell (Cyclone/Maxine Hunkell), Sarah Shahi (Adrianna Tomaz), Mohamed Amer (Kamir) and director Jaume Collet-Serra discuss their new DC film in this interview with CinemaBlend’s Sean O’Connell. Find out if The Rock intends on making a movie that speaks to the film's end credits sequence and more.

Video Chapters

00:00 - Intro
00:20  - Dwayne Johnson on Shaking Up The DC Universe with ‘Black Adam’
03:15  - Pierce Brosnan Uses His Personal Watch and Wedding Ring For Doctor Fate
04:54 - Clint Eastwood’s Massive Influence on ‘Black Adam’
07:35 - The ‘Black Adam’ Cast Says The Rock  Disappeared Into The Role Immediately
09:30 - Noah Centineo & Aldis Hodge Share What It Was Like The First Time They Saw Themselves In Their Costumes
11:53 - Quintessa Swindell & Noah Centineo On Negative Fan Reactions 
14:10 - Dwayne Johnson Intents To Make The DC Movie That’s Teased In ‘Black Adam’s’ End Credits

Bond, James Bond. A man who usually doesn’t need introduction, yet always finds his way into the right conversations. Created by Ian Fleming, and unveiled to the world with 1953’s Casino Royale, the original stories would eventually trigger a cinematic legacy that would lead to Daniel Craig becoming the most recent actor to embody the role.

But how does one watch the James Bond movies in order, especially since the lack of a 007 adventure on the 2024 movie schedule leaves us with all the time in the world to catch up? For some, this is a trivia question that kills every single time, especially whenever a new entry is added to the mix. 

With others, it’s a bit of a chore to remember whether Moonraker goes before or after The Spy Who Loved Me. As the world continues to wonder if Henry Cavill's Argylle gig affects his 007 chances, there's plenty of time to enlighten anyone who needs a refresher. No matter which group you fall into, let this handy guide help keep you on the straight and narrow, as you watch all of the 007 movies in order.

Where To Start With The James Bond Movies

Before we go through the entire James Bond legacy in order, it’s time to decide how you want to start your 007 journey. It's not like you can just jump into No Time To Die with your Prime Video subscription, and expect to know what's going on. The answer will depend on whether you’ve never seen a Bond movie before, or if you’re already familiar, but want a new experience. 

If You’ve Never Seen A James Bond Movie

Congratulations on deciding to watch the James Bond movies! Your first viewing experience can happen in one of two ways, and it all comes down to one factor: time. 

If you’re on a shortened schedule, or want to sample something closer to home before diving deeper, it’s recommended that you watch the entire Daniel Craig era of 007, from start to finish. However, if you have all the time in the world, then the obvious answer is to start from Dr. No and take the entire ride through No Time To Die. 

If You’ve Seen The James Bond Movies Already

Here’s where the fun really begins! Should you have already taken a spin in the James Bond universe, we’ve got a couple of special runs of 007 movies that tell a story. Further on down the line, you’ll be able to read about two special playlists, The SPECTRE Run and The Tracy Run, that tell their own stories throughout Bond history. 

We’ll save that fun for later, as right now all you need is the following rundown to dig into the complete history of James Bond. Let’s start driving down the path of every 007 adventure in order, starting with the era of Sean Connery! 

The Sean Connery James Bond Era (1962 - 1967)

The first actor to play the official EON Productions incarnation of James Bond, Sean Connery would occupy the tuxedo for the first five consecutive films. While he’d return for one more down the line, here’s what Connery’s original run consisted of:

Dr. No (1962)

Our cinematic introduction to James Bond. Dr. No sees the 007 investigating some strange events on a remote island in Jamaica, which could turn the tide of the space race.

From Russia With Love (1963)

On assignment in Istanbul, James must navigate what’s assuredly a SPECTRE trap. The prize is a Soviet encoding device known as the Lektor, with the lovely Tatiana Romanova (Daniella Bianchi) being used as bait, and the brutish Red Grant (Robert Shaw) poised to snap the trap and kill Bond. 

Goldfinger (1964)

When a gold obsessed madman (Gert Fröbe) plans an act of terrorism that’ll unbalance the world economy, it’s up to 007 to save the day. Teamed with unwilling partner Pussy Galore (Honor Blackman), James Bond will have to keep his head on straight if he means to keep it.

Thunderball (1965)

After hijacking two atomic bombs in the name of SPECTRE, bon vivant Emilio Largo (Adolfo Celi) helps his organization hold the world hostage. The Bahamas are soon the home to the showdown between Largo and James, with Emilio’s mistress Domino (Claudine Auger) playing her own part in the balance.

You Only Live Twice (1967)

James Bond is dead, long live James Bond! Faking his death to investigate the disappearance of several spacecraft, 007 finally meets his archnemesis: Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Donald Pleasence). 

If the James Bond series was the MCU, you could consider You Only Live Twice the Avengers: Infinity War of its day. Which only makes the next chapter even more exciting, as this first batch of serialized films leads to what’s arguably one of the best Bond movie ever…as well as one of the most debated entries. 

The George Lazenby James Bond Era/Sean Connery’s Return (1969 - 1971)

After Sean Connery left the role of James Bond during the production of You Only Live Twice, the hunt was on for a new 007. That search led to Australian model George Lazenby, who picked up the Wather PPK in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. 

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)

James Bond (George Lazenby) is in love! James Bond is in trouble! James Bond is in over his head, as his mission to foil another plot for world domination by Blofeld (Telly Savalas) intersects with a chance meeting with the love of his life, Countess Teresa ‘Tracy’ di Vicenzo (Dame Diana Rigg).

Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

After seemingly getting revenge against SPECTRE and its vicious Number One man, Bond (Sean Connery) uncovers a diamond smuggling ring that takes him from the canals of Amsterdam to the glitz of Las Vegas. But a past danger resurfaces, spelling danger for James and his companion, Tiffany Case (Jill St. John).

As you can see, a bump in the road between On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and Diamonds Are Forever led to a bit of a change up in leading men. With George Lazenby being convinced to leave the series after one movie, and Connery only returning for one last official go-around, the stage was set for the longest consecutive run any actor has ever had in the role.

The Roger Moore James Bond Era (1973 - 1985)

Previously known to the world as The Saint, Roger Moore’s era as James Bond ushered in a new dynamic. Gone was the cold blooded killer, and in his place was the Moore variant, who loved his quips as much as his clothes. 

Live And Let Die (1973)

Running afoul of a powerful drug kingpin (Yaphet Kotto) and romancing the clairvoyant who assists him (Jane Seymour), death might be in the cards for Commander Bond (Roger Moore) as he investigates the murder of several MI6 agents.

The Man With The Golden Gun (1974)

Francisco Scaramanga (Christopher Lee) is the best hired gun in the world. He can kill with one shot, thanks to his weapon of choice: a golden pistol. His latest target of choice: James Bond, 007. 

The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

A shipping magnate (Curt Jürgens) wants to reboot humanity in his own, underwater utopia. It’s a plot so deadly, James Bond is forced to team up with an unexpected ally: Soviet operative Major Anya “XXX” Amasova (Barbara Bach).

Moonraker (1979)

Hugo Drax (Michael Lonsdale) has plans for the human race, and he’s putting things in motion among the stars. 007 goes above and beyond the atmosphere in an attempt to save the planet. 

For Your Eyes Only (1981)

A powerful missile system is about to be offered to the highest bidder by a shady smuggler (Julian Glover). A young woman (Caroline Munro) seeks vengeance for the death of her parents. In the midst of it all is James Bond, who must do what he can to prevent this dangerous sale, while mentoring his companion on the ways of revenge.

Octopussy (1983)

A nuclear bomb is being smuggled past the Iron Curtain and into the start of World War III. There’s no time to clown around, as 007 has to fend off a vicious prince in exile (Louis Jourdan), while trying to decide if he can trust the alluring smuggler known as Octopussy (Maud Adams).

A View To A Kill (1985)

Silicon Valley is in for a rude awakening, thanks to a charismatic baddie (Christopher Walken) and his right hand woman (Grace Jones) targeting the area for destruction. 

Despite taking his final few assignments at leisure, and scrapping the casting of James Brolin and Pierce Brosnan in the process, Sir Roger Moore is still the 007 with the most movies under his belt. His departure set a pretty high bar to beat for that record, and opened the door for a past candidate to return.

The Timothy Dalton James Bond Era (1987 - 1989)

If history had shaken out a bit differently, Timothy Dalton could have starred in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Turning down the role because he felt too young, he would eventually land the gig when Pierce Brosnan’s all but announced casting was cancelled at the last minute. Instead, we got the Dalton duology of experimental Bond movies.

The Living Daylights (1987)

The defection of a KGB general (Jeroen Krabbé) to the West sends James Bond (Timothy Dalton) on the run with a beautiful cellist (Maryam d'Abo). Constantly questioning who he can trust in this dangerous game, no one is who they seem. 

License To Kill (1989)

A personal vendetta sees 007 resigning from active service, in order to get closer to a shrewd but nefarious drug dealer (Robert Davi).

Legal woes from the sale of MGM led to a delay in James Bond films so long, it saw Timothy Dalton’s contract expire. Declining to renew his license to kill, Dalton would exit the franchise with a couple unmade irons in the fire. As it turns out, that was the least of the worries for the higher ups.

The Pierce Brosnan James Bond Era (1995 - 2002)

The hunt for a new Bond, and the fall of the Soviet Union posed two large obstacles that this storied franchise would have to overcome. Thankfully, Pierce Brosnan’s 007 era was just about to kick off, and in grand fashion.  

Goldeneye (1995)

The theft of a top secret EMP satellite system threatens to plunge England into the dark ages. In order to win this battle, James Bond 007 (Pierce Brosnan) must match wits with the one person who knows him best: Alec Trevelyan 006 (Sean Bean).

Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)

War threatens to erupt between England and China, all thanks to a greedy newspaper baron (Jonathan Pryce) stirring the pot. The best agents from both sides must team together to save both of their governments, as James Bond teams with Colonel Wai Lin (Michelle Yeoh) to put an end to this deadly developing story.

The World Is Not Enough (1999)

Renard (Robert Carlyle) has a personal vendetta with Elektra King (Sophie Marceau), the daughter of an oil magnate he previously crossed paths with. 007 must dig into the past of M (Dame Judi Dench) to figure out why this madman has it out for Ms. King, and how he can beat a man who feels no pain. 

Die Another Day (2002)

Captured and interrogated by North Korea after a mission gone wrong, James Bond is determined to get to the bottom of a scheme that’ll shift the balance of power in the region. Working in the orbit of a CIA agent (Halle Berry), a fellow MI6 operative (Rosamund Pike), and a dangerously ambitious businessman (Toby Stephens), James is about to steal the shine off of some dangerous diamonds.

Pierce Brosnan’s four James Bond movies helped revitalize the legendary spy for a new era. Unfortunately, as Die Another Day’s reputation took a drubbing, and films like The Bourne Identity started to generate competition, producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson decided it was time for a reboot.

The Daniel Craig James Bond Era (2006 - 2021)

After Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond exit, a 007 for the 21st century needed to be found. With one of the most interesting Bond casting hunts ever, including candidates like Henry Cavill in the mix, Daniel Craig eventually found himself slipping on the tuxedo and throwing down for Queen and country. 

Casino Royale (2006)

Newly minted 00 agent James Bond (Daniel Craig) enters a high stakes game against a cruel card shark (Mads Mikkelsen) with deep pockets. While Bond loses his heart to a treasury agent (Eva Green), he also risks losing his life, and the cost is financial terrorism.

Quantum Of Solace (2008)

Shortly after the events of Casino Royale, 007 follows a trail of corruption and domination to a slimy businessman (Mathieu Amalric) with a secret. Teamed with a woman (Olga Kurylenko) bent on killing this man for vengeance, a greater game is revealed. 

Skyfall (2012)

The sins of M’s past come back to haunt her, as a disavowed MI6 asset (Javier Bardem) is looking to get a long awaited payback. James Bond’s most personal mission awaits, and not everyone is going to make it home alive.

Spectre (2015)

In the wake of Skyfall’s major finale, Bond continues to unravel the organization known as Quantum. The only problem is, what looked like a smaller scale operation is actually a world-spanning evil, run by James Bond’s most dangerous foe yet (Christoph Waltz).

No Time To Die (2021)

Seemingly retired after falling for Dr. Madeleine Swann (Léa Seydoux), James Bond is ready to let the past go. Such dangerous notions are never easy, especially when a new foe (Rami Malek) sets the stage for the explosive finale to the Daniel Craig era. 

The SPECTRE Run

As promised, we have two specialized playlists of Commander Bond’s adventures, which will come in handy for those who want a special experience. The SPECTRE Run is the first, as the following classic installments see 007 taking the fight to that shadowy organization.

A quick note before we begin: Goldfinger is omitted, as Auric Goldfinger has not been officially confirmed as a member of SPECTRE in the films. That in mind, here's the SPECTRE run of James Bond films: 

• Dr. No
• From Russia With Love
• Thunderball
• You Only Live Twice
• On Her Majesty's Secret Service
• Diamonds Are Forever
• For Your Eyes Only

If you want to extend this experience, you can also include the entire Daniel Craig era; but that’s optional as Casino Royale (2006) rebooted the continuity. Those newer movies don't even start out as following SPECTRE, and include a new version of the organization once it's folded in. That being said, since there’s a rough line of character history up until Pierce Brosnan’s era ends, this makes for an interesting viewing order.

The Tracy Run

Named after James Bond’s late wife Countess Teresa ‘Tracy’ di Vicenzo, The Tracy Run is proof that On Her Majesty’s Secret Service truly is one of the most influential entries. Starting with the courtship that brought the lovers together, and eventually tore them apart, this lineup is made up of movies that reference and draw upon that watershed heartbreak.

• On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
• For Your Eyes Only
• License To Kill
• Tomorrow Never Dies

At the time of this writing, we’re current with the 25 films and almost 60 years of James Bond history on the books. With Daniel Craig’s time as 007 officially ended, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson are taking the time to decide where this next reinvention of the Bond legacy will go. 

Whenever that key decision is made, we’ll more than likely see a rocket sled of action fall into place. The next tuxedoed super spy to save the day will be introduced to the world, and a new chapter of Bond history will begin. No matter what happens, newcomers and veterans alike shouldn’t be too worried; because as always, James Bond will return.