09/02/16 @ 9:56 pm EST

Source: Bleeding Cool | Categories: Dynamite

A Writer’s Commentary: Elliott Serrano talks the Army of Darkness: Election Specialone-shot, now on sale from Dynamite. Cover by Elliot Fernandez and interiors byDiego Galindo.



Page One
Hey everyone! Elliott Serrano, former series writer for “Army of Darkness”, here with a writer’s commentary for the “Army of Darkness: Election Special.” I had a lot of fun writing it, when I wasn’t banging my head against a wall trying to balance a number of story elements in a comic book about a store clerk turned monster hunter running for president of the United States.For all you millennials, the title is a nod to the political thriller “The Manchurian Candidate.” The book has also been referred to as “Ash For President,” but we’d rather not confuse it with the current ad campaign Starz has going for the “Ash VS Evil Dead” television series. Some folks have asked me if we were inspired by the television show or anything that happened during the show to produce this story, and I’ll just come out and say…nope.The idea of having Ash get involved in the presidential race was proposed by Dynamite Entertainment editor Joe Rybandt as one of several scenarios where we could use the AoD title to comment on the current state of American politics. And after my experience with the “Ash Saves Obama” mini-series, Joe asked me if I’d take a crack at it. I’m glad that I did!
So we start off with the image of our hero holding the Necronomicon and recounting some of his previous adventures, this way we get a sense of where this story takes place in Ash’s “timeline.”

Page Two
This image of the Necronomicon screaming came to me in the shower, which oddly enough is when a lot of story ideas tend to pop into my head. I wanted to start the story off with a powerful image, and I couldn’t think of another time when the book behaved in this manner.
Notice the little details that artist Diego Galindo puts in Ash’s apartment? I made a note in the script that Ash’s “hovel” not look like the trailer that he lives in in the new series — we didn’t want to get into any problems with the licensors — but Galindo still managed to sneak an Easter egg or two in there.

Page Three
Now we’re off to meet the sidekick for this adventure. Of course when you’re dealing with demons and strange prophecies, you need to bring a psychic into the mix. Originally this character was going to be a man with a daughter who Ash would flirt with, but then I realized that I was just cluttering the story with too many characters and made the medium a woman. She’s named after author and friend Delilah S. Dawson who has written YA novels and even a Star Wars novella. I’d love to see her take a crack at Army of Darkness someday!It should also be noted that the script simply describes Delilah as “a looker.” Diego came up with her appearance all on his own. I wonder if she looks like anyone he knows? I’ll have to ask him if I ever see him.



Page Four
So here’s where we set up the dynamic between Ash and Delilah. Of course Ash is the wise-ass who wants to impress the pretty girl. But I wanted Delilah to come across as someone who could hold her own with him. I had this whole backstory in my head about how Delilah grew up in a family of mediums, witches and warlocks, and that she had many adventures of her own before meeting Ash. She’s not going to be a “screaming mimi” in this story, as we’ll see later on.

Page Five
It’s important for Delilah to demonstrate that she is in fact a true psychic medium and not some fraud since her powers really play a vital part in the story. She establishes a link to the Necronomicon and can see everything the demon presence within the book is experiencing…

Page Six
…which is a threat that is unlike anything Ash has ever faced before (of course it is, this is a 48-page special!) and even has the demon realm frightened. Diego manages to sneak a couple more Easter eggs in this scene, including a cameo by a particular “Evil Dead” demon.
By the way, the name of “The Great Darkness” is my tip of the cap to Paul Levitz’ “Great Darkness Saga” from DC Comics’ “Legion of Superheroes”, my favorite Legion story of all time.

Page Seven
At this point, Ash is justified in being skeptical of anything the Necronomicon Ex Mortis says to him. It’s not as if the book has ever done him any favors. I even have Ash call back to a particular adventure he went on when I was writing the main series. But having Delilah share the vision is where we establish that this appears to be a credible threat and not something the Necronomicon is making up to send Ash into a trap.

Page Eight
We then introduce the political element of the story and the potential “agent” of the Great Darkness, who we learn is one of the candidates running for President of the United States. This makes things a bit more complicated considering the solution the Necronomicon has for dealing with the agent, which makes Ash really uncomfortable!



Page Nine
The “solution” also made the Dynamite Entertainment legal department uncomfortable as well since publishing a comic about a character out to kill a presidential candidate is problematic — to say the least — especially in the current political climate.
It was important to emphasize that Ash wasn’t all too keen on his mission, and that there could be some hidden agenda that he hadn’t discovered yet. Still, having Delilah along lends some credence to the threat and let’s face it, Ash isn’t all that bright, so he needs a smarter head around to point him in the right direction.

Page Ten
Now we see the state of the presidential election in the AoD universe, where the candidates are very similar to the ones from our world but with some noted differences. For legal reasons we couldn’t use the actual presidential candidates, so I created amalgams and mixed up the traits a bit. Senator Brock Anders is the Democratic candidate, who in the script I described as a “college professor-looking type” to account for his appeal to younger voters. And also account for Ash’s eventual disdain for him.

Page Eleven
We then switch over to the Valerie Sexton rally where I dropped some in-jokes that political wonks (like me) will enjoy. The original name of Senator Sexton went through a change because “Chilton” sounded it bit too much like a certain former Secretary of State and New York Senator. Yet another thing that legal got a little nervous over.

Page Twelve
Now, if I get hate mail over this book, I’m guessing it’ll be for this part of the story. Nobody likes it when you poke fun at third party candidates, but in the AoD universe, everyone is fair game! Introducing the 3rd party made perfect sense here, though, and opened up some interesting possibilities.

Page Thirteen
As I was hashing out the plot, I wasn’t quite sure how Ash fit into the story as a potential “candidate”, or if at all. Going through plot ideas, at one point I thought that instead of being a candidate, Ash could be on the fringes of the campaign. He’d be like one of those conspiracy theorists who believes that 9/11 was an inside job, or that Obama was a secret Muslim who was born in Kenya. You know, a nutjob, but a nutjob we liked because we knew him.And again, I found that I was needlessly cluttering the story with overly clever plot points when the most straightforward solution worked best. I also realized that not having Ash in the midst of the race would be a disappointment to many of his fans. The book is often referred to as Ash for President, and I didn’t want readers to feel misled. (For example, I still get grief for not having Ash and President Obama actually meet in the “Ash Saves Obama” miniseries I wrote years ago.)
So here we have Norman Treadwell of the “Patriot Party” using catchphrases and rhetoric that sounds oddly…familiar.

Page Fourteen
Also note that the Necronomicon is an active player in this whole scenario. That was another element of the story that just made it more interesting for me as a writer.
And here is where Ash finds himself going from observer of this whole political process…



Page Fifteen
…to getting thrown into it, quite literally!
Because you can’t have an AoD story without some Deadite mayhem, this seemed like a good time to cut the chatter and throw some action in to move things along.
Again, Diego does a nice job of laying it out and going from comical to brutal, just like in the Evil Dead movies.

Page Sixteen
And here is where people on social media are going to allege that I’m a right-wing gun nut, which I’m really not. You’ve gotta admit, though, the line works.
This sequence is meant to show how the cult of personality often takes hold in the election process. It’s not who you are or what you can do that matters, but how people perceive you.

Page Seventeen
Yet again, the Necronomicon gets involved, and this is where Ash’s role is solidified in the story. How do you get a store clerk to run for president? Same way you get the nation to talk about Joe the Plumber. Give him 15 minutes of fame and fan the flames a bit. I say that this is Shakespeare’s “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them” in play.

Page Eighteen & Nineteen
These pages take me back to my discussions with Joe Rybandt and how the story would play out. After some back-and-forth, I said “Ash runs for president and has the Necronomicon as his campaign manager.” Not that great a stretch when you consider that George W. Bush had Karl Rove as his campaign manager.
Also, I wanted to refer to the National Association for the Right To Bear Arms as NARBA, but it sounded too much like NAMBLA and well…hate mail.

Page Twenty
And now the cable news networks – with their 24-hour news cycles desperate for new content – get involved. Global News Network and CONservative News will play a major part in this election, just like their “real world” counterparts do in ours. Shout out to Diego for the Bill O’Reilly-looking CON News pundit. That was a nice touch.

Page Twenty-One
For those who aren’t familiar, here’s the quote that Ash mangles in his stump speech:
“It is a well-known fact that those people who must want to rule people are, ipso facto, those least suited to do it… anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job.” – Douglas AdamsHe did say he wasn’t very good with words, right?

Page Twenty-Two
If you can’t tell, Sexton and Anders’ campaign rhetoric is inspired by almost a year of listening to Clinton and Sanders going back and forth, and how the media has been disseminating their messages to the public. If you ask me, television and social media have played a greater role in this presidential election than in any before. Especially when you consider that the most controversial candidate of the 2016 election got almost all of his exposure for free via the television news networks. We all agree that Trump is a deadite, yes?

Page Twenty-Three
Here’s is where we get to the “deal with the devil” part of the story. And it’s inspired by a scene from “The West Wing” when Josiah Bartlett admits to a group of farmers that he screwed them on a tax bill. His matter-of-fact speaking is what gets Josh to work for him. Well, Ash is no Josiah Bartlett, but he is a decent guy, so he believes in the inherent good of people. On the other hand, the Necronomicon only knows people for the bad that they can be. And he’s telling Ash that if he wants people to listen to him, he needs to appeal to that darker side of human nature. So when Ash starts off mimicking the rhetoric he’s heard and seeing that it’s not getting him anywhere…



Page Twenty-Four
…he decides to go with the Necronomicon’s advice and lies to the group of veterans. It’s a lie of omission, yes, and in his own head he can rationalize it to himself because while he may not be a veteran of a human war, he has been fighting against the armies of darkness for decades. So using his own amputation as evidence that he is a fellow veteran is rather deceitful, but has it’s own logic.From here on out Ash is using the Necronomicon’s brand of “truth”, which is mostly lies mixed with a bit of truth. He’s finally become a politician.

Twenty-Five
Back to the 24-hour news cycle and suddenly our man Ash is very popular! The “I shot a guy” line was inspired by Donald Trump saying that he could shoot a guy in the street and still see his poll numbers rise. Which they did. When I wrote this page I thought that I was going a bit too “out there” as far as the stuff Ash could get away with saying. Since then Trump has shown that I was too reserved.And at this point readers should realize that Ash in the Donald Trump of the AoD universe.

Page Twenty-Six
As this chapter draws to a close, and we see how the Necronomicon’s influence has affected the campaign, Ash has his “Howard Dean moment.” If you don’t know what I’m talking about, Google “Howard Dean Yeah” and you’ll see what I’m talking about. It’s hilarious.

Page Twenty-Seven
Okay, maybe it seems a bit far-fetched that a third party candidate would get on the debate stage on the eve of a hotly-contested election, but we are talking about a comic where a store clerk fights demons and zombies, right?

Page Twenty-Eight
It tickles me that the debate takes place in Atlanta Georgia. This sets up a very subtle jab at “The Walking Dead” to come in a few pages.

Page Twenty-Nine
The jacket that Ash wears was a creation of Diego Galindo and cover artist Elliot Fernandez. The backstory being that Patriot Party headquarters sent him the jacket to wear during the debate, and that Ash initially resisted but then relented. Well, as I’m writing this I realize that I’m getting bogged down in details again and slowing down the story. So I included the line where Delilah says “get your jacket” and the reader can just assume that Ash has horrible fashion sense. Which he does.
The words that Ash writes on his hand are actually Sumerian and is an incantation of truth and revelation.

Page Thirty – Thirty-Two
Gonna make a confession here: as I was writing these pages, I still hadn’t really decided who was going to be revealed as the “agent of the Great Darkness.” I had scenarios planned out for whether it was Sexton (whose name should have been a dead giveaway) or Anders. And each scenario had their strengths and drawbacks.Also, I made myself laugh when I write the “Professor Santa Claus” line. I may be the only person in the world who thinks it was funny, but that’ enough for me.



Page Thirty-Three & Thirty-Four
Oh yeah…if you #StandWithHer you just might be writing some hate mail about this, but remember, it’s just a comic book! I also expect some MRAs to high five each other over this.Guys?Don’t….

Page Thirty-Five
…because I went ahead and made them both demons anyway! This would lead into the very subtle jab that I take at The Walking Dead on the next page. Which is if you put Ash in Atlanta, facing a bunch of zombies…

Page Thirty-Six
…he just needs one page to kill them all!

Thirty-Seven
Remember how I said I don’t think I got crazy enough with the story? I still hold to that, even with this ending. Because with the stuff that Donald Trump has been saying, Ash seems downright reasonable.

Thirty-Eight
And so we close with our hero in the White House and asking the same question that so many have been asking during this election season. (Delilah echoing the end of “Ash Saves Obama” because I just love that line.) And we discover that the Necronomicon has been playing us all along?

Thanks for coming along for the ride everyone! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!

DON’T FORGET TO VOTE!

07/05/25 @ 1:54 pm EST

Source: Variety | Categories: Dynamite

In a twist worthy of a Hollywood script, Ryan Coogler’s breakout horror film Sinners—a 2025 box office juggernaut—owes part of its haunting aesthetic to a Marvel movie that never made it to set. The film’s eerie, period-perfect costumes were originally designed for Marvel Studios’ long-delayed Blade reboot, which remains in production limbo. According to Sinners producer Sev Ohanian, the film’s costume designer, Oscar-winner Ruth E. Carter (Black Panther), had been working on Blade when the project was shelved indefinitely. That version of Blade, starring Mahershala Ali, was once envisioned as a 1920s-set vampire thriller—eerily similar in tone and era to Sinners. When Sinners was greenlit on a tight schedule, Carter had a warehouse full of unused, period-appropriate costumes. Marvel, in a rare behind-the-scenes collaboration, allowed Coogler’s team to purchase the wardrobe “at price”. While the main cast including Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, and others wore custom-designed costumes tailored specifically for their characters, many of the extras in Sinners were dressed in the repurposed Blade costumes, giving the film a rich, textured authenticity without the usual prep time. First announced in 2019, Marvel’s Blade reboot has faced repeated delays due to creative changes, director exits, and industry strikes. The film was removed from Disney’s release calendar in 2024 and remains without a confirmed production date. Despite the setbacks, Mahershala Ali has expressed continued interest in the role, recently telling reporters, “Call Marvel. I’m ready”. 

07/05/25 @ 1:29 pm EST

Source: Deadline | Categories: Dynamite

Nearly 50 years after One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest became a cinematic landmark, a new television spinoff is in the works—this time told through the eyes of the character who saw everything but said very little: Chief Bromden. Producer Paul Zaentz, nephew of the original film’s producer Saul Zaentz, revealed on the CK Café podcast that he has signed an agreement with the widow of author Ken Kesey to develop a TV series based on the 1962 novel. The first season will be told entirely from the perspective of Chief Bromden, the towering half-Native American patient who pretended to be deaf and mute in the original story. Zaentz explained that the series will begin within the psychiatric hospital, as in the original, but will then follow Chief’s journey after his dramatic escape—territory the original film never explored. While Milos Forman’s 1975 film adaptation won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Jack Nicholson, it famously diverged from Kesey’s novel by shifting the narrative focus from Chief Bromden to Randle McMurphy. Kesey was openly critical of this change. The upcoming series aims to restore the novel’s original point of view and delve deeper into the Chief’s inner world. Chief Bromden’s character—played by Will Sampson in the film—was a symbol of silent resistance and eventual emancipation. The new series promises to explore his backstory, his psychological trauma, and his life beyond the institution. It’s a chance to reframe the narrative around Indigenous identity, mental health, and the long shadow of institutionalization. 

07/05/25 @ 1:20 pm EST

Source: Deadline | Categories: Dynamite

Julian McMahon, the charismatic Australian actor known for his iconic roles in Nip/Tuck, Charmed, and the Fantastic Four films, has passed away at the age of 56 following a private battle with cancer. His wife, Kelly McMahon, confirmed that he died peacefully on July 2, 2025, in Clearwater, Florida. Born in Sydney on July 27, 1968, McMahon was the son of former Australian Prime Minister William McMahon. He began his career as a model before transitioning to acting in Australian soaps like The Power, The Passion and Home and Away. His move to Hollywood led to breakout roles in Profiler and Charmed, where he played the complex and seductive demon Cole Turner. But it was his portrayal of Dr. Christian Troy in FX’s Nip/Tuck that cemented his status as a television icon. The role earned him a Golden Globe nomination and showcased his ability to balance charm, darkness, and vulnerability. He later brought gravitas to the role of Victor Von Doom in the Fantastic Four films, becoming one of Marvel’s earliest cinematic villains. McMahon’s career spanned decades and genres. He starred in FBI: Most Wanted as Jess LaCroix, appeared in Hulu’s Runaways, and most recently played the Australian Prime Minister in Netflix’s The Residence—a poignant nod to his real-life heritage. McMahon is survived by his wife Kelly and his daughter Madison, whom he shared with ex-wife Brooke Burns. In her statement, Kelly described him as a man who “loved life… and whose deepest wish was to bring joy into as many lives as possible”. 

07/01/25 @ 3:12 pm EST

Source: Bleeding Cool | Categories: Dynamite

Jim Shooter was a towering figure in the comic book industry—both literally and professionally. He began his career at just 14 years old, writing for DC Comics, where he made a splash with stories for the Legion of Super-Heroes. His early creations included characters like Karate Kid, Ferro Lad, and Princess Projectra, as well as the villain group Fatal Five. Here’s a snapshot of his legacy: <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->DC Comics: Started as a teenage writer, contributing to Adventure Comics and Action Comics. <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Marvel Comics: Rose to become Editor-in-Chief from 1978 to 1987. Under his leadership: <!--[if !supportLists]-->o    <!--[endif]-->Oversaw iconic runs like Uncanny X-Men by Claremont & Byrne, Daredevil by Frank Miller, and Thor by Walt Simonson. <!--[if !supportLists]-->o    <!--[endif]-->Introduced creator royalties and launched the Epic imprint for creator-owned work. <!--[if !supportLists]-->o    <!--[endif]-->Created the first major crossover event: Secret Wars. <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Valiant Comics: Co-founded the publisher in the early '90s, bringing characters like Solar: Man of the Atom and Harbinger to life. <!--[if !supportLists]-->·         <!--[endif]-->Also founded Defiant Comics and Broadway Comics, though both were short-lived. Shooter was known for his strict editorial style, which helped Marvel stay on schedule but also led to clashes with many creators. Despite the friction, his tenure is credited with revitalizing Marvel during a critical period. Jim Shooter passed away on June 30, 2025, at the age of 73. His influence on comics—both in storytelling and industry practices—remains profound. 

07/01/25 @ 2:50 pm EST

Source: Deadline | Categories: Dynamite

In the ever-watchful world of fandom sleuthing, even a simple Instagram follow can ignite a firestorm of speculation. That’s exactly what happened when filmmaker and DC Studios co-head James Gunn followed actress Adria Arjona on Instagram—a move that fans quickly interpreted as a hint she might be cast as the next Wonder Woman. But Gunn was quick to clarify: “I followed Adria on Instagram, but everybody came out, ‘He just followed her, that means she’s Wonder Woman!’” he said in a recent interview with Extra. “She’d be a great Wonder Woman, by the way. But she was in a movie that I made seven years ago. We’ve been friends and have known each other since that time. I followed her then, I didn’t just follow her.” The film Gunn referred to is The Belko Experiment (2016), which he produced and in which Arjona appeared. Their professional relationship and friendship date back to that project, making the social media follow less of a casting clue and more of a long-standing connection. Still, Gunn’s comment that Arjona “would be a great Wonder Woman” has only fueled fan enthusiasm. With a new Wonder Woman film currently in development and the DC Universe undergoing a major reboot, speculation remains high—even if Gunn insists fans shouldn’t read too much into his Instagram activity. 

06/28/25 @ 2:09 pm EST

Source: Variety | Categories: Dynamite

In a move that blends personal branding with practical necessity, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star and co-creator Rob McElhenney has officially filed to change his name to Rob Mac. The decision, confirmed by McElhenney himself, marks a significant shift for the actor, writer, and entrepreneur whose surname has long been a source of confusion—and comedy. McElhenney, whose last name has famously stumped fans and media alike (despite Ryan Reynolds’ musical pronunciation tutorial), cited global business expansion as the primary reason. As his company, More Better Industries, continues to invest internationally—including ventures in Colombia and Mexico—he found that “McElhenney” was often mispronounced or misunderstood. “As our business and our storytelling is expanding into other regions of the world and other languages in which my name is even harder to pronounce, I’m just going by Rob Mac,” he told Variety. Interestingly, the name “Mac” isn’t just a simplification—it’s also a nod to his iconic Always Sunny character, known simply as Mac. It’s a full-circle moment that blends his personal identity with his pop culture persona. The name change is already being reflected in FX press materials for both It’s Always Sunny and Welcome to Wrexham, the Emmy-winning docuseries chronicling McElhenney and Reynolds’ ownership of Wrexham AFC. 

06/28/25 @ 1:59 pm EST

Source: Variety | Categories: Dynamite

ABC has officially pulled the plug on Doctor Odyssey, the high-concept medical drama from prolific creator Ryan Murphy, after just one season. The show, which followed a team of doctors navigating emergencies aboard a luxury cruise ship, will not return for a second voyage. Premiering in fall 2024, Doctor Odyssey starred Joshua Jackson as Dr. Max Bankman, alongside Phillipa Soo, Sean Teale, and Don Johnson. The series blended medical drama with high-seas spectacle, drawing comparisons to The Love Boat with a modern, campy twist. Its trailer broke records with 77.8 million views in 48 hours, and the premiere drew 13.6 million cross-platform viewers. Despite the flashy debut and a loyal cult following, the show struggled to maintain momentum. Ratings dipped over the season, and its linear performance lagged behind other ABC dramas. While ABC has yet to issue a formal cancellation statement, the cast contracts are expiring on Monday with no sign of renewal and the sets are being dismantled. And while the ship has sailed on ABC, Ryan Murphy retains creative control and could potentially revive the series elsewhere, such as Hulu, where it performed well on streaming platforms. 

06/27/25 @ 2:45 pm EST

Source: Twitter | Categories: Dynamite

Is The Batman Part II script finally done? It appears so. Writer/Director Matt Reeves just posted to social media a blurry picture of himself and co-writer Mattson Tomlin that shows the title page for a script with the logo from The Batman and appears to have the title "The Batman: Part II". Co-head of DC Studios James Gunn said recently that he was expecting to get the script soon but denied that the deadline had already passed. If the script is complete and ready to move forward, it is still in plenty of time to make the current release date of October 2027. This should be good news to fans of the director and franchise and also to actor Robert Pattinson who had commented recently that he was worrying he was going to age out of the role if it took too much longer.  

06/26/25 @ 3:35 pm EST

Source: Deadline | Categories: Dynamite

Prime Video’s hit action-thriller Reacher is shaking things up for its fourth season, and one of the most notable changes is the addition of Christopher Rodriguez-Marquette to the cast. The Barry actor steps into the role of Jacob Merrick, a small-town policeman, in a recasting that follows the departure of Jay Baruchel due to personal reasons. Rodriguez-Marquette’s casting came together at lightning speed—he was reportedly selected the same day the role breakdown was released and flown to set within days. His character, Merrick, is said to play a significant role in the upcoming season, which adapts Lee Child’s 13th Jack Reacher novel, Gone Tomorrow. The story kicks off with a tense encounter on a train that spirals into a deadly conspiracy involving powerful enemies. Season 4 also welcomes a host of new faces, including Sydelle Noel, Agnez Mo, Anggun, Kevin Corrigan, Kevin Weisman, Marc Blucas, and Kathleen Robertson. Alan Ritchson returns as the titular Jack Reacher, with Maria Sten reprising her role as Frances Neagley. Rodriguez-Marquette brings a diverse résumé to the series, with recent appearances in Barry, Mozart in the Jungle, and indie films like Grind and Fear, Inc.. 

06/26/25 @ 3:28 pm EST

Source: Deadline | Categories: Dynamite

In a move that’s sending ripples through both Hollywood and Her Majesty’s Secret Service, acclaimed filmmaker Denis Villeneuve has officially been named the director of the next James Bond movie. This marks the first 007 installment under Amazon MGM Studios’ creative leadership, following their acquisition of the franchise’s rights in 2022. Villeneuve, the visionary behind Dune, Arrival, and Blade Runner 2049, brings a reputation for cerebral storytelling and breathtaking visuals. His appointment signals a bold new chapter for the Bond saga—one that may blend the franchise’s signature espionage thrills with a deeper, more atmospheric tone. “Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007,” Villeneuve said in a statement. “I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since Dr. No with Sean Connery. I’m a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he’s sacred territory. I intend to honor the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come”. The film will be produced by Amy Pascal and David Heyman, with Villeneuve also serving as executive producer alongside Tanya Lapointe. While no release date has been announced, production is expected to begin after Villeneuve completes work on Dune: Part Three, slated for release in late 2026. As for who will don the tuxedo next, speculation continues to swirl. Aaron Taylor-Johnson remains a frontrunner, but no official casting has been confirmed.