Entertainment
James Bond Casting Search Heats Up as Next Round of Auditions Gets Underway
The search for the next James Bond is heating up, and after years of speculation surrounding who will replace Daniel Craig, the 007 franchise may finally be getting closer to an answer.
A new round of auditions for the coveted role is reportedly taking place as Denis Villeneuve and producers Amy Pascaland David Heyman continue searching for the actor who will lead the next era of the legendary spy franchise.
The casting process has been underway for months. Casting director Nina Gold, whose credits include Game of Thrones, Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The Crown, was brought aboard to help find the new Bond. Earlier reports indicated that roughly 20 actors could be considered during this stage of the process, with Villeneuve himself reportedly becoming directly involved in contacting potential candidates.

While no official shortlist has been announced, the search has consistently been linked to a younger generation of actors. Jacob Elordi, Callum Turner and Harris Dickinson have repeatedly surfaced among the rumored possibilities.
However, there is no guarantee that one of Hollywood’s more recognizable names will ultimately land the role.
Previous reports have suggested Villeneuve could favor a relatively unknown or lesser known British actor, potentially in his late 20s or early 30s. If that remains the direction of the search, some of the biggest names regularly mentioned by fans could find themselves out of contention.
Producer Amy Pascal recently confirmed that the process remains active and described the team’s approach as “really, really methodical.” She also indicated that the identity of the next James Bond could potentially be revealed before the end of 2026.
That would finally bring an end to one of Hollywood’s longest running casting mysteries.

Craig officially concluded his run as Bond with 2021’s No Time to Die, ending a tenure that began with Casino Royale in 2006. Since then, actors including Aaron Taylor Johnson, Henry Cavill, Idris Elba, Theo James and numerous others have been connected to the role through rumors and fan speculation.
The next Bond film will also represent a major changing of the guard behind the camera.
Amazon MGM Studios now has creative control of the franchise, with Pascal and Heyman producing. Villeneuve, best known for Dune, Dune: Part Two, Arrival and Blade Runner 2049, will direct, while Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight is writing the screenplay.

Production is currently expected to begin in 2027, putting the next James Bond movie on track for a potential 2028 release.
Whoever ultimately wins the role won’t simply be starring in another Bond movie. The actor will become the face of what Amazon MGM clearly hopes will be a new long term era for 007.
And with another round of auditions now underway, we may not have much longer to wait before hearing those famous words attached to a brand new name.
Entertainment
Ryan Coogler’s ‘The X-Files’ Reboot Officially Ordered to Series at Hulu
The truth is officially heading back out there.
Hulu has given a full series order to Ryan Coogler’s upcoming reimagining of The X-Files, moving the project beyond its previously ordered pilot and officially bringing the iconic paranormal franchise back to television.
The new series will star Danielle Deadwyler and Himesh Patel as two new FBI agents rather than new versions of Fox Mulder and Dana Scully.
According to the official logline, the series follows two highly decorated but very different FBI agents who form an unlikely bond after being assigned to a long shuttered division devoted to cases involving unexplained phenomena.
Coogler wrote, directed and executive produced the pilot and will remain an executive producer on the series. Jennifer Yale will serve as showrunner and executive producer, while original The X-Files creator Chris Carter is also returning as an executive producer.
Coogler has described himself as a longtime fan of the franchise and has said the goal is to honor what made the original series special while finding a new way into that world.

Danielle Deadwyler, Himesh Patel and Ryan Coogler MELISSA ALEXANDER; COURTESY OF SUBJECT; ARTURO HOLMES/GETTY IMAGES
The cast will also include Devery Jacobs, Lochlyn Munro, Tantoo Cardinal, Joel E. Montgrand and Sofia Grace Clifton, with Amy Madigan, Steve Buscemi and Ben Foster set to make guest appearances.
The original The X-Files debuted in 1993 and became one of television’s defining science fiction series, following FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully as they investigated paranormal cases, government conspiracies and unexplained events.
The series originally ran for nine seasons before returning for two revival seasons in 2016 and 2018.
Whether David Duchovny or Gillian Anderson will eventually appear in Coogler’s version has not been announced.
Hulu has also not revealed an episode count or premiere date for the new series.
Entertainment
Breaking Bad Star RJ Mitte Dies at 34
RJ Mitte, the actor best known for portraying Walter White Jr. on the acclaimed AMC series Breaking Bad, has died at the age of 34.
Mitte died Monday in Brownsville, Texas. His representatives confirmed his death in a statement, remembering him as an actor, philanthropist and passionate disability rights advocate. A cause of death has not been officially announced.
Mitte became widely known for his role as Walter White Jr., also known as Flynn, the son of Bryan Cranston’s Walter White on Breaking Bad. He appeared throughout all five seasons of the series from 2008 through 2013 and became an important part of one of television’s most celebrated ensembles.
Like his character, Mitte lived with cerebral palsy. He drew from his own experiences for the role and later became an outspoken advocate for greater representation and opportunities for people with disabilities in Hollywood.

Breaking Bad [Sony Pictures Television]
Outside of Breaking Bad, Mitte appeared in projects including Switched at Birth, The Guardians of Justice, The Oak Room and the 2021 film Triumph. His latest film, Talking to Strangers, premiered earlier this year, with Mitte attending a screening in Beverly Hills on September 30.
Mitte also worked extensively with organizations supporting people with disabilities, including United Cerebral Palsy and Shriners Children’s, and served as president of The Mitte Foundation.
His representatives described him as a powerful voice for inclusion whose influence reached well beyond his work on screen.
RJ Mitte was 34.
Entertainment
Jeremy Allen White Says It Would Be an ‘Honor’ to Play Gene Wilder in Upcoming Biopic
Jeremy Allen White is ready to step into the shoes of legendary actor Gene Wilder, he just needs someone to make the call.
The Bear star recently addressed the possibility of portraying Wilder in an upcoming biopic after fans pointed out the striking resemblance between the two actors.
During an appearance on TODAY, White was asked whether he would be interested in taking on the role.
“Absolutely, it would be my honour,”
White said.
White went on to reveal his longtime admiration for Wilder and some of his most iconic films.
“Young Frankenstein is one of my earliest film memories. Blazing Saddles, he’s a genius. It would be an honor. He was a genius. It would be an honor. Yeah, I love him. I’ve always loved him.”

Jeremy Allen White [Photo by Dan Doperalski]
Despite his enthusiasm, White confirmed that he has not been cast in the project. When asked whether the role was already his, the actor quickly responded, “No! No, no, no,” before adding, “We’ll see, we’re manifesting it.”
A Gene Wilder biopic was announced earlier this year, with filmmaker Dito Montiel attached to direct. The project has the cooperation of Wilder’s estate, though casting has yet to be announced.
Wilder remains one of Hollywood’s most beloved comedic performers, starring in classics including Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles and The Producers. He died in 2016 at the age of 83 following complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
With White openly interested and fans already making comparisons between the two actors, the upcoming biopic may have just found its most obvious candidate, even if the phone hasn’t rung yet.
