As Daniel Craig is making his final appearance as James Bond in the upcoming film No Time to Die (which will premiere in April), fans started to speculate on who should take on the role of the famed British Secret Intelligence agent next.
Among the possible candidates are Tom Hardy, Idris Elba, and James Norton. However, following the grand success of Netflix’s latest period drama Bridgerton (under Shonda Rhimes’ overall deal with the streamer), the focus shifted toward actor Regé-Jean Page.
Page has won the hearts of millions as Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings. Netflix announced that 63 million households have streamed Bridgerton since its debut on December 25.
A recent Glamour Magazine article suggests that if viewers of the show had a say on who should be the next 007, it would be Page. And, if it so happens, that the breakout star is offered the part and he accepts it, Page would make franchise history as the first Black Bond.
The ‘Regé-Jean Page for James Bond’ campaign is gaining traction on Twitter. One user posted, “Guys, GUYS, hear me out: Regé-Jean Page as the next Bond.”
Another tweeted, “Just finished watching Bridgerton on Netflix. Wow! Regé-Jean Page should be the next man to play James Bond. He is so handsome, smooth and debonair!”
Just finished watching Bridgerton on Netflix. Wow! Rege-Jean Page should be the next man to play James Bond. He is so handsome, smooth and debonair!
We will not know the final decision on who will continue to carry the torch until, probably, next year. In the meantime, here is the latest Ladbrokes list of James Bond frontrunners (posted by Variety):
Tom Hardy – 6/4 James Norton – 7/4 Idris Elba – 7/2 Regé-Jean Page – 5/1 Sam Heughan – 6/1 Richard Madden – 6/1 Jack Lowden – 8/1 Cillian Murphy – 10/1
Singer and actress Cassie Ventura, known artistically as Cassie, announced her pregnancy on Wednesday. The announcement was shared via a touching social media post featuring a series of intimate photographs with husband Alex Fine and their two daughters, Frankie, 5, and Sunny, 3.
The “Me & U” singer began dating Fine shortly after her split from Sean “Diddy” Combs. They made their relationship Instagram official in December 2018. The couple announced their first pregnancy, got engaged, married, and welcomed their oldest daughter the following year. Their second child, Sunny, was born in March of 2021.
The most recent pregnancy announcement comes more than a year after the 38-year-old filed and subsequently settled a lawsuit against her ex, Diddy, alleging various forms of abuse during their relationship. Fine has been incredibly supportive of his wife during this time.
The soon-to-be father-of-three also expressed his excitement in a post captioned “Best gift I could ask for.” In his Instagram stories, he revealed that Cassie is six months pregnant.
Preacher and producer DeVon Franklin is engaged to his girlfriend, celebrity trainer, Maria Castillo.
Franklin, who announced his split from Meagan Good in December 2021, proposed to Castillo on a Hawaii holiday vacation.
“Finding Maria has been one of God’s greatest blessings in my life, so I wanted the proposal to be as special as our love,” he told PEOPLE magazine. “We went to Maui for vacation, I told her we were gonna do a photo shoot and during the photo shoot I surprised her with the proposal! It was truly a magical moment and I can’t wait to spend a magical life with Maria!”
The couple reportedly met a year ago when Castillo’s business partner, also Franklin’s friend, introduced them to one another. The two connected over their love for fitness and since that meeting, they’ve been inseparable.
See the gorgeous engagement photos below, courtesy of People magazine.
Viola Davis and Angela Bassett are set to take on roles that are not only groundbreaking but also reflect a vision of leadership that has been historically underrepresented. Both actresses, known for their extraordinary talents and impactful performances, will portray Black women presidents in two upcoming projects: “G20” and “Zero Day.”
Viola Davis in ‘G20’ on Prime
Viola Davis stars as President Danielle Sutton in the action-packed thriller “G20,” produced by Amazon MGM Studios. Set to premiere on Prime Video on April 10, 2025, “G20” unfolds during an international summit in Cape Town, South Africa, which is suddenly besieged by terrorists. Davis’s character, a former war hero elected on a liberal ticket, must use her military acumen and diplomatic skills to protect her family, her nation, and the world leaders in attendance.
Viola Davis in ‘G20.’
This film marks a significant moment as Davis, who has already achieved EGOT status, steps into a role that showcases her as a leader and an action hero. The story emphasizes her character’s resilience and strategic thinking under duress, offering viewers a thrilling yet grounded portrayal of a Black woman navigating the highest office during a crisis. The film’s director, Patricia Riggen, praised Davis for bringing an unprecedented depth to the role, turning her into a “weapon of mass destruction” in her efforts to combat the threats at the summit.
Angela Bassett in ‘Zero Day’on Netflix
Meanwhile, Angela Bassett takes on the role of President Evelyn Mitchell in Netflix’s “Zero Day,” a series that delves into the aftermath of a catastrophic cyberattack on the United States. Scheduled to stream from February 20, 2025, the film explores themes of technology, politics, and power, with Bassett’s character navigating the complexities of leading a nation in crisis. In “Zero Day,” the Commander-In-Chief teams up with a retired president, played by Robert De Niro, to unravel the truth behind an attack that claims thousands of lives.
Robert DeNiro and Angela Basset in ‘Zero Day’. Courtesy of Netflix
Bassett, known for her powerful performances in films like “What’s Love Got to Do with It” and “Black Panther,” brings a nuanced portrayal of the presidency, highlighting the challenges of leadership in a modern, tech-driven world. Her role in “Zero Day” is about commanding authority and the moral and ethical dilemmas that come with such power.