Latest news with #GoldenEye
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
New Brit star takes the lead in race to be James Bond as flurry of bets are placed on him after 007 ‘clue'
There's another Brit hunk hot on his heels race is on New Brit star takes the lead in race to be James Bond as flurry of bets are placed on him after 007 'clue' A NEW Brit star has taken the lead in the race to become the next James Bond after a huge 007 'clue'. Speculation over who will replace Daniel Craig in the iconic role has been heating up, and bookies have slashed odds on one actor following a flurry of bets. 3 Aaron Taylor-Johnson is the latest favourite to bag the 007 role Credit: Getty 3 Speculation over who will replace Daniel Craig is heating up Credit: Universal Pictures 3 Theo James is another favourite for the gig Credit: FilmMagic Aaron Taylor-Johnson has been backed to step into 007's shoes by a surge of bets this week. Coral's John Hill said: 'Aaron Taylor-Johnson has jumped to the top of our next James Bond betting following a surge of bets behind him in the last 24 hours. 'The British actor has been linked to the role in the past, but this is the biggest wave of interest we have seen behind him since we opened betting on Daniel Craig's replacement.' Last week Aaron, 34, fuelled rumours he's bagged the role after signing a deal with Omega - the brand of watch the 007 spy wears. Omega has been supplying timepieces to the iconic literary and movie character since the release of 1995 flick, Golden Eye. The Sun told last year how Aaron had been offered the job - with insiders saying at the time Eon Productions were keen to snap him up. A source said: 'Bond is Aaron's job, should he wish to accept it. 'The formal offer is on the table and they are waiting to hear back. 'As far as Eon is concerned, Aaron is going to sign his contract in the coming days and they can start preparing for the big announcement.' But hot on Aaron's heels is fellow Brit hunk Theo James who - before Aaron's surge of bets - overtook former favourite Henry Cavill earlier this month. James Bond expert drops huge hint about new 007 actor after he starred in movie with huge A-list actress Speaking last week, Cal Gildart of Ladbrokes said: 'Henry Cavill's return to the head of the Bond betting didn't last long, with Theo James as short as anyone has been to pick up the world's most famous licence to kill.'
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Did a brand campaign just accidentally confirm Aaron Taylor-Johnson is the new James Bond? Internet is convinced
Has the new James Bond's identity been leaked accidentally by a watch brand of all things? Social media users sure are convinced. Before you are confused, let's clarify that this is all speculation, but not without a historical precedent and some basis. A new announcement by luxury watch company Omega has sparked speculations about the new Bond actor. This is because Omega is the official partner of the 007 franchise. (Also read: Pierce Brosnan 'tips his hat' to Aaron Taylor-Johnson to be the next James Bond: He has the chops, talent, charisma) Actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson was recently announced as Omega's new global brand ambassador. The luxury watchmaker, which has been the official timepiece of all James Bond films, took to social media last week and shared pictures of the actor in their office. "OMEGA welcomes Aaron Taylor-Johnson to our watchmaking home in Bienne. The actor and Golden Globe winner stepped into our watchmaking home for an exclusive tour, meeting the watchmakers behind our timepieces," the caption read. A post shared by OMEGA (@omega) The comments section was immediately filled with people wondering if he is the new Bond, too. "Bro has to be the new James Bond at this point," suggested one. "Do I hear the 007 theme?" added another. One comment simply read: "Is this a hint?" But while the comments were only wild speculations, some eagle-eyed internet sleuths added some basis to the theory. In the past, both Daniel Craig and Pierce Brosnan were global brand ambassadors of Omega. Interestingly, both actors were brought on board months before they were announced as the new James Bond - Craig in 2005, ahead of Casino Royale and Brosnan in 1994, ahead of GoldenEye. Many noted that neither actor was publicly announced as brand ambassadors until they were announced as the new Bond, though. Others countered that those signings happened before the age of social media. So far, there has been no official update from Amazon MGM Studios, the new custodian of the Bond franchise, about who will take over from Daniel Craig as the new 007. The 34-year-old Aaron is an English actor, best known for playing Kick-Ass in the film of the same name as well as appearing as Pietro Maximoff in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He started as a child actor, appearing in films like Shanghai Knights, before finding fame with his portrayal of John Lennon in the biopic Nowhere Boy. A Golden Globe winner for Nocturnal Animals, he has appeared in big-budget films like Tenet (2020), Bullet Train (2022) and The Fall Guy, and Nosferatu (both 2024). In 2024, it was reported that Aaron is among the frontrunners for the new Bond, but it was never confirmed by the actor or the studio. Daniel Craig stepped down as James Bond after No Time To Die, the 2021 blockbuster. Since then, the franchise has been in a state of flux. Earlier this year, in a move that sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, the iconic film franchise was taken over by Amazon MGM Studios. Longtime producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli stepped back. As per details of the historic agreement, Amazon MGM Studios, Michael and Barbara have formed a new joint venture to house the James Bond intellectual property rights. The three parties will remain co-owners of the iconic franchise, but Amazon MGM will have creative control. Now, Amazon will decide which actor will take over the famous character. There is still no time frame for when that will happen or when the next film will be made. The Bond films were launched by Albert "Cubby" Broccoli in 1962, before his daughter and stepson took over. Amazon MGM Studios was formed when Amazon bought Bond's parent studio in 2022. So far, Eon's series has seen 6 actors play James Bond in 25 films - Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig.
Scotsman
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Alan Cumming to reprise iconic High Life role in major new 'unashamedly Scottish' musical 'romp'
The new play comes 30 years after the cult TV comedy series was originally aired Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... It was a hit Scottish series which ran for just six episodes and a pilot, gaining cult status before being axed due to one of its stars' burgeoning Hollywood career. Now Alan Cumming and Forbes Masson are to reprise their original High Life roles in an 'unashamedly Scottish' stage musical version of the cult 1990s TV series. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad NTS Mr Cumming and Mr Masson will star as Sebastian Flight and Steve McCracken in High Life The Musical, which will tour Scotland next year. Siobhan Redmond and Patrick Ryecart will also star as Shona Spurtle and Captain Hilary Duff. The High Life was first commissioned and broadcast by the BBC 30 years ago, created by and featuring Mr Cumming and Mr Masson, who met as students at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Taking place in the fictional Air Scotia airline flying out of Prestwick Airport, the High Life centres around air stewards Steve, Sebastian and Shona. Launched as an initial pilot in 1994 and a series of six episodes which were broadcast in early 1995, it was understood a second series was never made due to Mr Cumming's increasingly successful career, which has seen him act in productions including James Bond hit Golden Eye and TV show The Good Wife. He has also hosted the US version of The Traitors, filmed in Scotland. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Cumming and Mr Masson told The Scotsman the idea to create the play initially came from the National Theatre of Scotland, which has commissioned the production. 'It's a really good idea, it makes total sense,' says Mr Cumming. 'A Scottish property that was loved, turning it into a theatrical version of that, it's a no brainer.' However, years passed and the pair admit they 'didn't get it together', until a chance meeting with Scottish stage writer Jonny McKnight created the 'spark' which saw the project come to fruition. 'I was doing a show in Glasgow and Forbes came to see it the same night as Johnny McKnight came to see it,' recalls Mr Cumming., Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We had such a laugh, the three of us. It was such fun. Then the next day, Johnny called me up said, 'Hey, have you guys ever thought of doing a musical of the High Life? 'I said, 'You know what, we have, Johnny. And would you like to help us write it?' The production will be touring Scotland in spring 2026, with previews and opening performance at Dundee Rep Theatre from 28 March, the onward touring to HMT Aberdeen, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Eden Court Theatre and King's Theatre Glasgow until 18 May 2026. The stage show, which will feature new and original music, focuses on the sale of Air Scotia. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Cumming hopes the musical will retain the 'bit scrappy, bit surreal' atmosphere of the original show, but admitted some more serious issues are touched upon, due to Flight and McCracken's more mature age. He says: 'People are obviously coming with reminisce and fondness. People really love it, so I think they will be coming with that love, but also to see what [the characters] are up to now.' Both characters still work as air stewards, but Mr Masson admits their advancing age has changed the focus of the show. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Both of the main protagonists, Steve and Sebastian, are now over 60, so there are all the things that come with that, and all of the reminiscences and the sudden realisation that their lives are now in their autumn years,' he says. 'Scotland has changed as well [since the original show] and it's about how the characters embrace the present and the future, but also remember what the past taught us. Age is a big theme in it.' Mr Cumming adds: 'It's a celebration of a show that was a huge success 30 years ago. We're doing in a different form. We're older, we're coming back together.' He says he was 'surprised by how little' material was 'potentially offensive', 30 years later, but admits that some cultural references have had to be updated, recalling a part in the script which mentioned a Stanley cup - the cult water bottle propelled to fame on social media. 'Neither of us had any idea what that was,' he admits. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The pair, who began their working life together when they formed comedy double act Victor and Barry in 1982, describe the concept as 'really surreal', and 'unashamedly Scottish'. They describe the new show as a 'romp', freed of restrictions implemented on the original series by the London-based BBC. 'It's that long Scottish tradition of surreal comedy,' Mr Masson says. 'And the show is really bonkers. 'We're playing with silly ideas and it's great that we can be unashamedly Scottish, because it's a Scottish tour, it's a Scottish show, we're not having to water it down in any way, as we had to do slightly when we did the TV show. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We stood our ground, but because the TV show was made in London, there was a lot of things that London people didn't understand. And that was quite good, in a way, because they didn't understand a lot of the swearing.' NTS Mr Cumming adds: 'I think we are leaning into our Scottishness a bit more than we would have done.' Recently chronicled in the book Victor and Barry's Kelvinside Compendium – A Meander Down Memory Close, a 40th anniversary celebration of their birth, Mr Cumming and Mr Masson's original characters were morphed into the High Life's Steve and Sebastian. As well as cult fans of the show, Mr Cumming and Mr Masson hope to attract a new audience too young to remember it the first time around. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, they say they are unlikely to do future High Life spin offs - although don't rule out working together in the future.
Leader Live
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
‘My accent is very soft': Pierce Brosnan responds to criticism of MobLand accent
The Drogheda-born star plays mobster Conrad Harrigan in the Paramount+ series, which follows the Harrigan crime family and their battle with the Stevenson family in London, but despite the actor being from Ireland, he has faced backlash for his accent in the role. The Irish Independent's review of the series said Brosnan's speaking voice as Conrad was 'all over the shop and a huge distraction'. In response to criticism, Brosnan told Radio Times: 'My own accent is very soft, Conrad's accent is a million miles away from me.' He went on to explain that the inspiration for the accent was a man suggested by his dialect coach, adding: 'I told him that I needed a Kerry accent, so he gave me the name of a man and I googled the guy and that was it. 'It was a Kerry accent and so I just gave it full tilt.' In the interview, Brosnan also spoke of the mix of worry and excitement he faces when taking on new roles. The 72-year-old explained: 'Every job is a challenge and it all comes with a thump of anxiety, because you have to do something. 'What are you doing on the stage? Why are you there? So that's constant. You live with that. You live with that stress all the time, and that's what's so exhilarating. 'That's what makes you alive.' Brosnan is best known for playing James Bond from 1995 to 2002, starring in four films as 007 in GoldenEye (1995), Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The World Is Not Enough (1999), and Die Another Day (2002). He has also starred in Mamma Mia! (2008), Mars Attacks! (1996) and Mrs Doubtfire (1994). Brosnan will appear in a film adaption of Richard Osman's The Thursday Murder Club book, which is set for release in August. The full interview can be read in the latest edition of Radio Times magazine.
Euronews
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Has watchmaker Omega leaked the identity of the new James Bond?
It's one of the most closely guarded secrets in the industry: the identity of the next 007. It has been four years since the release of Daniel Craig's dramatic swansong as Bond in No Time To Die, and since then the rumour mill has been working overtime. We reported last year that one candidate may have the edge over countless others and now, an unlikely source may have confirmed it and let the vodka martini-swigging cat out of the bag. Luxury watchmaker Omega has announced Bond-favourite Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the brand's latest global ambassador. So what, you may ask? Well, it's not just any gig, considering the watch brand has been Bond's marker of choice ever since Pierce Brosnan got his Omega in GoldenEye. Add the fact that both Brosnan and Daniel Craig were Omega ambassadors before they headed to MI6, and it doesn't seem to be much of a (perfectly timed) coincidence... Une publication partagée par OMEGA (@omega) In an Instagram post, Omega praised Taylor-Johnson's visit: 'OMEGA welcomes Aaron Taylor-Johnson to our watchmaking home in Bienne. The actor and Golden Globe winner stepped into our watchmaking home for an exclusive tour, meeting the watchmakers behind our timepieces.' The post features the 34-year-old looking smooth as a veal cutlet in a brown suede jacket, flaunting a stunning Omega piece – a Speedmaster First OMEGA in Space - on his left wrist. The actor stated: 'I have always had an appreciation for timepieces but especially for Omega. Now, after visiting the factory, I am in awe of the skill required to manufacture such a luxurious product.' Une publication partagée par OMEGA (@omega) There is still no official announcement confirming the Kick-Ass, Nosferatu and 28 Years Later actor to be the next Bond. But considering the franchise is getting a massive overhaul courtesy of Amazon, who are keen to speed up to process, this is looking mighty promising and maybe more than a rumour. Still, only time will tell. Iran has summoned France's representative in protest after the French foreign minister praised the Cannes-winning Iranian film as 'a gesture of resistance against the Iranian regime's oppression.' French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot had praised It Was Just An Accident after it won the prestigious Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. The film by famed dissident Iranian director Jafar Panahi centres on a man, Vahid, who abducts his suspected captor after being tortured in prison. To satisfy pangs of doubt, he decides to confirm his suspicion by bringing the man, locked in his van, to other former prisoners for identification. Panahi, who was back in Cannes for the first time in 15 years due to a travel ban in Iran, drew on the experiences from his own imprisonment as well as the stories of detainees around him. Stay tuned to Euronews Culture for our review of It Was Just An Accident and our full debrief of Panahi's win in this week's Culture Catch-Up. Iran's Foreign Ministry said the French minister was summoned over his 'interventionist, irresponsible and instigative allegations,' the state-run IRNA news agency reported. 'Spare us Iranians the lectures. You have no moral authority whatsoever,' Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X, citing France's approach to Israel's ongoing war in Gaza. Last week, France threatened 'concrete action' against Israel if the country didn't halt the offensive in Gaza and lift restrictions on humanitarian aid. However, the statement was mostly dismissed as empty threats. Immediately following the award's announcement, the Iranian state news agency had announced a more muted celebration of the award, crediting the country's film industry for winning a second Palme d'Or after Abbas Kiarostami's 1997 drama, Taste of Cherry. In Iran, film productions need to receive script approval from the government to shoot in public. Panahi refuses to do that, knowing they won't allow him to make the films he wants to, and It Was Just an Accident was filmed without cooperation. Iranian state TV called the film a mixture of 'lie and smearing' as well as an 'underground' film produced without the required permits in Iran. State TV also chastised Panahi for not mentioning the plight of the Palestinians in his acceptance speech. The Mizan news agency, an arm of the country's judiciary, reported on the win as part of the 'Political Cannes Film Festival,' suggesting that the prize was given to Panahi because of his political leanings. However, pro-reform media outlets and activists praised Panahi. 'This victory is no accident — it is the result of a tireless dedication to exploring humanistic values and human rights,' said Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, who was also previously imprisoned at Tehran's notorious Evin Prison. Panahi was banned from travelling out of Iran in 2009 for attending the funeral of a student killed in anti-government protests, a judgment later extended to two decades. But even when placed under house arrest, Panahi kept making movies, many of which are among the most lauded of the century. He made 2011's This Is Not a Film on an iPhone in his living room. Taxi (2015) was clandestinely shot almost entirely within a car - and ended up winning that year's Golden Bear at the Berlinale. Panahi was arrested in 2022 when he went to the Tehran prosecutor's office to inquire about the arrests of two other Iranian filmmakers. A judge later ruled that he must serve six years for an earlier sentence on charges of propagandising against the government from 2011 that had never been enforced. In early 2023, Panahi went on a hunger strike and was released from Evin Prison. Panahi said he would not seek asylum in another country, despite the risks of additional imprisonment. 'It's simple. I'm unable to live here,' he said last week in Cannes. 'I have no ability to adapt to a new country, a new culture. Some people have this ability, this strength. I don't.' On Monday, Panahi touched down in Tehran's international airport to cheers. One person was heard shouting "woman, life, freedom" as Panahi passed through the airport - a phrase that became the slogan for protests that broke out across Iran following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in 2022. In his acceptance speech at Cannes, Panahi said, "What's most important now is our country and the freedom of our country," and called for Iranians to "join forces". He added: "No one should dare tell us what kind of clothes we should wear, what we should do, or what we should not do."
