Harry Potter and Spider-Man producers lined up by Amazon to oversee Bond franchise
Amazon is lining up Harry Potter's David Heyman and Spider-Man's Amy Pascal to oversee the James Bond franchise for its studio MGM.
In news first reported by Puck, the two heavyweight producers are said to be the choice of senior Amazon-MGM executives Mike Hopkins, Jen Salke, and Courtenay Valenti and the studio is now negotiating deals with the pair.
Heyman is the British producer who acquired the film rights to JK Rowling's Harry Potter book series, and produced all eight subsequent film adaptations as well as the three Fantastic Beasts films. Other high-profile credits to his name include the Noah Baumbach-directed Marriage Story and White Noise, Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and Greta Gerwig's Barbie.
Pascal was chair of Sony's film division until 2015, where she oversaw Bond films including Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace and Skyfall. She was forced to leave in the aftermath of the studio's infamous email hack after leaked messages suggested she had made racist jokes at the expense of Barack Obama. Since leaving Sony, Pascal has produced the Tom Holland Spider-Man films as well as the animated Spider-Verse spin-offs, and is now working on Gerwig's Narnia film.
Amazon surprised Hollywood by buying the rights to the Bond franchise in February, paying more than $1bn to secure complete creative control from its long-term producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson. Within hours of news of the deal emerging, Amazon executive chair Jeff Bezos posted a message on social media asking: 'Who'd you pick as the next Bond?'
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Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Peppa Pig parents go wild as £39.99 toy is scanning for 10p at local stores – here's exactly where to nab it…
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IT retails in most shops for £39.99. So you can imagine how thrilled one mum was when she came across the Peppa Pig party bus for just 10p. 3 Parents are racing to B&M to nab this Peppa Pig toy for just 10p Credit: extremecouponingandbargainsuk/facebook 3 It retails for £39.99 elsewhere Credit: extremecouponingandbargainsuk/facebook 3 Annabel's child held on tightly to her new present after leaving the store Credit: extremecouponingandbargainsuk/facebook Annabel was out shopping in her local B&M in Wallsend when she came across the toy. But when she scanned it on the B&M app - the usual way savvy shoppers come across unmarked bargain buys - it didn't come up. It also didn't have a price tag on it, so she decided to go up to the till to ask how much it was. And it was at that point that she discovered it would cost her just 10 pence. "Peppa Pig party bus at B&M scanning for 10p," she wrote alongside pictures of her new purchase on the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group on Facebook. "There was no tag and doesn't scan on the app - says barcode not found. "£39.99 on Amazon and Smyths!" The party bus is a two in one playset that comes with three figures - Peppa, Danny Dog and Candy Cat - and 13 party-themed accessories. "Imagine Peppa and friends going for a rooftop ride in the cheery red double-decker bus, then pop the bus into party playset mode to discover 3 floors of feature-filled fun," a description of the product reads online. "What will the figures do next? How about a dance party using the twirling platforms? Mums issue stark warning about 'dark Peppa Pig' videos going viral on YouTube set out to target and terrify your kids "A spin on the roundabout toy? A ride down the slide? Should the balloons go on the bus, or on top of the jukebox?" And after Annabel shared snaps of her child with their new toy, others took to the comments section to plan their next trip to B&M with friends. "OMG!" one wrote. "Why not in the Dundee ones?" another sighed, tagging a mate. "Someone buy me one and stick on Vinted for me to buy for a couple of quid lol," a third commented. "Can't find none near me!" Peppa Pig legacy PEPPA Pig first aired in 2004 and has since been broadcast in 180 territories and translated into 40 languages. Now it's spawned books, toys and even two theme parks, with the global Peppa empire now worth over £1billion. Creators Neville Astley and Mark Baker admitted they were initially worried the idea would never get off the ground, and that people at first, were bored of the idea. Astley explained: "People in the pub would ask us, 'What are you drawing?' We'd say, 'A pig, called Peppa, it's going to be big'. 'They'd lose interest and wander off." "Wow, as if," someone else added. "When they don't scan on the app, that's how you know it's deffo 10p," another wrote. "As soon as I'm back we're off out," someone else said, again tagging a friend. "Amazing find," another smiled.
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Original EastEnders cast now from huge Hollywood role to tragically early death
EastEnders first hit our TV screens 40 years ago but what happened to the original Albert Square cast EastEnders might be the quintessential British soap, woven into the fabric of UK culture with its beloved characters, tangled family dramas, and decades of tradition known to generations of viewers. Since its explosive debut in 1985, the show has undergone dramatic transformations - both on screen and off. From cherished icons who have sadly passed, to cast members who found fame in Hollywood or left the spotlight entirely, here's a look at the original EastEnders cast and where they are now, 40 years later. Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) Central to many major plots, the landlord 'Dirty Den' is one of the most iconic characters in the history of British soaps. In real life, Leslie Grantham's life was full of controversy from before even joining the show. While serving the British army in West Germany in 1965, Grantham attempted to rob a taxi driver and ended up shooting him in the head. He was convicted of murder and spent 10 years in prison, and decided to pursue acting after being released. After his EastEnders days - which ended because of an internet sex scandal he became involved in - he appeared in two UK tours of a stage adaptation of Beyond Reasonable Doubt, starred in police drama series The Bill, and had a cameo in the 25th anniversary episode of EastEnders. Grantham passed away in 2018, aged 71, of lung cancer. Dot Cotton (June Brown) Few characters in British soap history are as recognisable - or as beloved - as Dot Cotton. Played by June Brown, Dot was introduced in 1985 as a laundrette worker with a complicated son and a deep sense of morality. June Brown stayed with the show, on and off, for 35 years. She made her final on-screen appearance in 2020, when Dot left Walford for Ireland. The BBC made clear the door was left open for her return, even leaving her dressing room untouched. But June died in April 2022, aged 95. Her impact was such that Dot's off-screen death was treated with reverence in a special episode later that year. Brown, who had been partially blind in her later years, was awarded an MBE in 2008 and a lifetime achievement award at the 2005 British Soap Awards. Pauline Fowler (Wendy Richard) Pauline was the heart of Albert Square's longest-running family, the Fowlers. Pauline's storylines spanned domestic abuse, teenage pregnancy, and family tragedy - culminating in her dramatic death on Christmas Day 2006, after being struck with a frying pan and left to die in the snow. Wendy Richard, a veteran of Are You Being Served?, remained on EastEnders for over two decades. Her departure marked the end of an era. She was diagnosed with cancer shortly after leaving the show and died in 2009, aged 65. Richard had received an MBE in 2000 and remains one of the soap's most iconic faces. Angie Watts (Anita Dobson) The original Queen Vic landlady, Anita Dobson played Angie with raw emotional depth, especially during the infamous 1986 Christmas Day episode where Den handed Angie divorce papers. Dobson left in 1988, despite producers pleading for her to stay. Angie was later killed off-screen in 2002, having died from alcohol poisoning. Anita, now 75, went on to enjoy a successful career in theatre and TV, including Doctor Who and Call the Midwife. She married Queen guitarist Brian May in 2000 and remains one of the most respected actors to come out of the show. Arthur Fowler (Bill Treacher) Arthur Fowler was the everyman of EastEnders: kind, flawed, and a victim of life's pressures. Treacher asked to leave the show in 1995 after being warned that the stress of filming could be fatal. Arthur was written out in a powerful storyline that ended in his death from a brain haemorrhage. Bill went on to appear in George and the Dragon alongside Patrick Swayze and continued acting until the early 2000s. He died in 2022 at the age of 92. Nick Cotton (John Altman) The villain you loved to hate, with his sneering grin and leather jacket, Nick Cotton was EastEnders' first true bad boy. John Altman played Nick across multiple stints from 1985 to 2015. His final appearance saw Nick die of a heroin overdose in front of Dot - a grim end to one of the Square's most notorious characters. Altman, now 72, has appeared in The Real Marigold Hotel, indie films, and continues to work, including roles in horror and theatre. Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean) Introduced as the adopted daughter of Den and Angie, Sharon was the glam of EastEnders throughout the '90s, involved in love triangles and betrayals. Letitia Dean left the show in 1995, returned in 2001, left again in 2006, and came back for good in 2012. Now 57, she remains a central figure in Walford, with major storylines as recently as 2024. Dean has remained fiercely private off-screen but is one of the few original characters still part of the current cast. Michelle Fowler (Susan Tully) Michelle made headlines from the moment she first appeared, thanks to the storyline involving her teenage pregnancy. Susan Tully played her until 1995, after which she stepped away from acting entirely. She re-emerged behind the camera, directing episodes of Silent Witness, Line of Duty, and The A Word. Now 57, she is considered one of the UK's most respected TV directors. When Michelle returned to the show in 2016, she was played by a new actress, Jenna Russell. Ethel Skinner (Gretchen Franklin) A gossip with a heart of gold, Ethel Skinner was a former music hall star who brought old-school charm to Walford. Her most moving storyline came in 2000, when, gravely ill, she asked her best friend Dot to help end her life - an episode that pushed the BBC into controversy territory. It was also Franklin's final performance. She died in 2005 aged 94, having reportedly insisted Ethel never be recast. Pete Beale (Peter Dean) Pete Beale was a rough-edged but well-meaning character, married to Pat, then Kathy, and clashing frequently with son Ian. Peter Dean played Pete until 1993, when the character was killed off-screen in a car crash during a dramatic twist by new producers. Dean later criticised the decision, saying he was 'devastated' not to film his exit. The actor made a few TV appearances afterwards - including The Real EastEnders - but mostly stepped back from the limelight, and is now in his early 80s. Lofty Holloway (Tom Watt) In a square full of loudmouths and schemers, Lofty Holloway was kind-hearted and socially awkward and painfully sincere. His exit in 1988 was equally low-key: a letter and a goodbye. Tom Watt made a surprise return for Lofty in 2019 during the funeral of Dr. Legg, but otherwise, he went on to become a football writer and ghost-wrote David Beckham's autobiography. Though rarely seen on screen these days, he's found success behind the scenes in sports broadcasting. Lou Beale (Anna Wing) The Beale matriarch was the first character to be created for EastEnders, and got killed off in 1988 - but not before making it clear to her nearest and dearest exactly what she thought of each of them. She even managed to come to a truce with nemesis Pat. After leaving EastEnders, Wing still worked on stage productions, had numerous television roles, and appeared alongside Orlando Bloom in The Calcium Kid. She also had roles in critically acclaimed films and earned an MBE in 2006. Wing died at the age of 98 from natural causes. Sue Osman (Sandy Ratcliff) One half of Walford's first married couple, Sue Osman was at the centre of one of EastEnders' earliest and most harrowing storylines - the sudden death of her baby from cot death. The powerful plot helped establish the show's reputation for tackling real-life issues head-on. Sue struggled with mental health in later episodes before being written out in 1989. Off-screen, actress Sandy Ratcliff battled addiction, but later retrained as a counsellor. She died in 2019, aged 70. Simon Wicks (Nick Berry) A teenage heartthrob, Simon Wicks quickly became one of EastEnders' most popular early characters. His love triangles, family feuds, and musical talents earned him a brief pop career – including a No. 1 hit with Every Loser Wins. After leaving the soap in 1990, Nick Berry found further fame in Heartbeat and later ran his own production company. Now 61, he's retired from acting and lives a quiet life away from the spotlight. Dr Legg (Leonard Fenton) One of Albert Square's quietest figures, Dr Legg was a comforting presence through the show's early years. Though he left full-time in 1997, he returned regularly for weddings, funerals, and major moments. His final appearance in 2019, when the character died of pancreatic cancer, gave long-time fans a moving farewell. Leonard Fenton died in 2022, aged 95. Mary Smith (Linda Davidson) Known as 'Mary the Punk,' she was one of the Square's most striking residents: a single mum with bright hair, attitude, and a complicated life. Mary's struggles with parenting and sex work pushed boundaries at the time, but her exit in 1988 came quietly. Linda Davidson left acting in the '90s to work behind the scenes at the BBC and later held executive roles at major digital companies, including the Jamie Oliver Group. Tony Carpenter (Oscar James) As one of the first Black characters on EastEnders, Tony Carpenter made TV history. A builder with a quick temper and a complicated family life, he stayed in Walford for just two years. A fter the soap, Oscar James appeared in everything from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to Shakespeare. Now 82, he's retired from acting. Ali Osman (Nejdet Salih) Taxi driver Ali Osman had a turbulent time in Walford, involving gambling problems, money struggles, and the heartbreak of losing his son Hassan. His relationship with Sue was central to the show's early drama. Ali left the Square in 1989, and actor Nejdet Salih made only a few small TV appearances afterward. He later had a role in the Pirates of the Caribbean films and still acts occasionally. Kelvin Carpenter (Paul J. Medford) One of the Square's smartest teens, Kelvin Carpenter balanced school, ambition, and working-class grit. He stood out as a rare positive portrayal of Black youth on '80s TV. Kelvin left in 1987 to go to university, and Paul J. Medford moved into stage roles before transitioning to a successful executive career. Since 2019, he's been a vice-president at Nickelodeon. Debbie Wilkins (Shirley Cheriton) Debbie Wilkins was the Square's arty, middle-class outsider - a university-educated character who stood out among her less academic neighbours. She left in 1987 after a short run and never returned. Actress Shirley Cheriton largely stepped back from the spotlight, but had a handful of roles on stage and TV, including the 2009 comedy FM. She's now 69. Andy O'Brien (Ross Davidson) A mild-mannered nurse, Andy O'Brien made EastEnders history by being the first character ever killed off - in a dramatic road accident in 1986. Actor Ross Davidson later starred in Brookside and Hollyoaks before passing away from brain cancer in 2006, aged 57. Saeed Jeffrey (Andrew Johnson) Saeed Jeffrey, Walford's shopkeeper, had a short and troubled time on the Square. His arranged marriage to Naima and cultural struggles caused controversy both in and outside the show, and he left after just ten months. Actor Andrew Johnson moved to the US, where he appeared in Murder, She Wrote and Inspector Morse, before stepping away from acting. Now 70, his last known screen role was in 2019.
Wales Online
3 hours ago
- Wales Online
Cynthia Erivo crowned best actress at BET Awards
Cynthia Erivo crowned best actress at BET Awards There were also awards for Doechii and Kendrick Lamar British singer and actress Cynthia Erivo was crowned best actress at the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards (Image: Invision ) British singer and actress Cynthia Erivo was crowned best actress at the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards in Los Angeles. Hosted by Kevin Hart, Monday's BET Awards celebrated the work of black people in music, entertainment, film, sports and philanthropy. The London-born star, who rose to worldwide prominence last year for her role in Wicked, was also nominated for the BET Her Award - which recognises empowering songs that focus on women - for her rendition of Defying Gravity. Grammy Award-winning rapper Doechii used her acceptance speech to sharply criticise US President Donald Trump's handling of protests in Los Angeles. Collecting the award for best female hip-hop artist, she accused the president of "creating fear and chaos" in his response to demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, which sparked days of protest across the city. "I do want to address what's happening right now, outside the building," she said. Article continues below "These are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities. In the name of law and order, Trump is using military forces to stop a protest, and I want you all to consider what kind of government it appears to be, when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us." Mr Trump announced plans to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to California to quell the protests, which began on Friday. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the move was "essential to halting and reversing the invasion of illegal criminals into the United States". The decision drew sharp criticism from Democratic politicians, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, who called the move "purposefully inflammatory". London-based girl-group FLO missed out after picking up nominations for best group and the Bet Her award for their track In My Bag, featuring GloRilla. Fellow UK artists Bashy and Ezra Collective earned nominations for best international artist, while multi-genre artist Odeal and R&B singer kwn were shortlisted for best new international act. Kendrick Lamar, who led the pack with 10 nominations, took home awards for album of the year and best male hip-hop artist. He also won video of the year and video director of the year for his hit Not Like Us, as well as best collaboration for Luther, his track with SZA SZA won best female R&B/pop artist, while Chris Brown took home best male R&B/pop artist. Article continues below The evening featured a star-studded cast, including actor Jamie Foxx, with performances by Ashanti, Mariah Carey and GloRilla. Foxx, Carey, gospel star Kirk Franklin and Snoop Dogg were honoured with the ultimate icon award for their contributions to community, entertainment, and advocacy. Miles Canton, Luke James and Lucky Daye delivered an R&B tribute to Quincy Jones, who died in November.
