“James Bond Will Return.” The phrase, or a variation of it, has come at the end of the credits throughout the history of the franchise, including 2021’s “No Time to Die.”
But fans of the secret agent with a license to kill have been waiting ever since to learn who would become the latest actor to take on the iconic role following Daniel Craig’s departure.
There are a few things we do know: Amazon MGM now has full creative control over the franchise after acquiring the rights from Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli of Eon Productions, the longtime company behind the films founded by Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli and Harry Saltzman.
Amy Pascal and David Heyman will now produce the films, Denis Villeneuve will direct, and Steven Knight has been hired to write the script.
But what about Bond? Rumors have been flying around for years, but with an expectation that the newest Bond would be revealed by the end of this year, new reports last week suggested final screen tests of candidates were scheduled. Names of potential candidates floated have included Jack Lowden, Josh O’Connor and Callum Turner, with some speculation that Jacob Elordi may also be a finalist, although some reports have since ruled him out.
In this episode, co-hosts Bruce Miller and Terry Lipshetz discuss the candidates and the franchise's future. After that, Miller shares an interview he recently had with comedian, actor, director, and writer Ken Marino, who has joined the national tour of “Death Becomes Her,” a stage musical based on the 1992 film starring Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn and Bruce Willis.
About the show
Streamed & Screened is a podcast about movies and TV hosted by Bruce Miller, a longtime entertainment reporter who is the retired editor of the Sioux City Journal in Iowa and Terry Lipshetz, managing editor of the National Newsroom for Lee Enterprises based in Madison, Wisconsin. The show was named Best Podcast in the 2025 Iowa Better Newspaper Contest.
Theme music
Thunder City by Lunareh, used under license from Soundstripe. YouTube clearance: FV694ULMCJQDG0IY
