James Bond

MI6 special agent 007 is getting a new face -- and, apparently, a new gender too ... because actress Lashana Lynch is reportedly set to take on the mantle in the upcoming Bond flick.

According to multiple outlets in the UK, the "Captain Marvel" star -- who played Brie Larson's best air force pal in the 2019 blockbuster -- will become the new 007 in what is being described as a "popcorn-dropping moment" in the franchise's 25th installment. 

The reports say that Daniel Craig -- who is still the same old James Bond we know and love -- is brought back from retirement at one point in the movie and introduced to Lashana's character, who's inherited his old code name. Supposedly, she keeps it too.

Per the reports, Craig tries to seduce Lashana on camera to no avail -- and it seems like her character might be the main protagonist in any Bond films going forward.

The move to get a fem 007 installed is reportedly thanks to one of the writers -- Phoebe Waller-Bridge ... who also had a hand in writing "Killing Eve" (a female-led spy thriller that airs on BBC). One movie insider is quoted as saying this about the new Bond movie ... "There are spectacular chase sequences and fights, and Bond is still Bond but he’s having to learn to deal with the world of #MeToo." Alrighty then!!!

Considering all the issues that have plagued the production thus far -- from this and this -- the pivot to a strong, black female lead has gotta be some refreshing news for fans.

Someone took the 007 title, "For Your Eyes Only," a little too seriously -- 'cause a guy got arrested on the set of the new James Bond movie for placing a hidden camera in a ladies' room toilet.

49-year-old Peter Hartley was reportedly arrested last week and booked over the weekend by Thames Valley Police in England. He's facing voyeurism charges in connection to a camera that was found in one of the women's restrooms on a Pinewood Studios set.

Specifically, it was found in a bathroom where 'Bond 25' is currently filming. The production that's been plagued with delays and issues ranging from explosions-gone wrong on set to the lead star, Daniel Craig, getting seriously injured and requiring minor ankle surgery.

Due to all the delays, there was already buzz the still untitled Bond project was cursed -- and that was before the alleged perv's arrest.

It's unclear what connection the guy might have to the production or the studio, if any, but Pinewood is cooperating with the investigation, saying ... "We take this issue very seriously ... We reported the incident to the police and are supporting them with their investigation."

Tania Mallet -- one of the original Bond girls and Helen Mirren's cousin -- has died.

Mallet's death was confirmed by the official 007 Twitter account Sunday, which broke the news by writing ... "We are very sorry to hear that Tania Mallet who played Tilly Masterson in GOLDFINGER has passed away. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time."

No other details were released about the circumstances surrounding her death.

Tania's main claim to fame was starring alongside Sean Connery as Tilly Masterson -- one of the early Bond girls who didn't make it come the end credits.

Funny enough ... Tania actually auditioned for the role of another Bond girl in the 007 movie right before "Goldfinger" -- "From Russia with Love" -- but she didn't make the cut until 1964.

Her role in "Goldfinger" ended up being one of Tania's only acting credits in her career -- she went on to act in an episode of the '70s show "The New Avengers," but that's it. She did, however, have a prolific modeling career that got started in the '50s at age 16.

Like any good secret agent, Henry Golding isn't spilling the beans on his next move ... which, one could speculate, makes him the perfect choice to replace Daniel Craig as the next James Bond.

We got the "Crazy Rich Asians" star at LAX, where we asked him about his chances to play 007 in the 26th Bond film. As if his 'CRA' success wasn't enough, the buzz is Henry is on a short list of stars being considered to play the ultimate spy.

When we brought it up ... Henry flashed a huge grin, and then went into coy mode.

As you know ... Daniel is reporting for duty again in "Bond 25," but the race to find a new Bond is wide open -- with Idris Elba and Tom Hardy joining Henry as some of the best bets.

Read what you will from this, but Henry definitely puts the secret in secret agent.

Well, whadya know? Daniel Craig is on set, in the role he swore he'd rather slash his wrists than play again -- Bond. James Bond.

Daniel was in Cardona, Spain Tuesday for what appears to be the start of filming for his fifth 007 flick ... and a production assistant clearly wanted to keep it under wraps. This will be the 25th installment in the franchise, and the working title is "Bond 25."

DC's looking suave as ever in the black tux during the shoot in a castle ... especially considering how staunchly he vowed he'd never put it on again.

You'll recall, back in 2015, Daniel said he was totally "over" the James Bond role, but left himself an out, saying he'd only do it again "for the money."

Word is he got plenty of it. There are all kinds of crazy numbers being reported for Daniel's salary -- some as high as $66 million!

Jane Seymour remembers Roger Moore less as a kick-ass 007, and more as the funny, thoughtful guy who helped her through her first leading role, as a Bond girl.

Hours after the iconic James Bond died ... Seymour said, "Roger taught me what a movie star really was and should be." Jane played Solitaire in 1973's "Live and Let Die," which was also Roger's first Bond movie.

Although a handful of other actors ordered martinis shaken, not stirred ... Jane said of Roger in her moving Instagram post, "He was my Bond."

Moore was 89.

Sir Roger Moore, one of the most popular actors to play James Bond, died Tuesday in Switzerland.

Moore had battled cancer briefly ... according to his 3 children who released a statement saying they were all by this side in his final days.

Moore took over the Bond character in 1973's "Live and Let Die." His final one was "A View to a Kill" in 1985. All told, he played the character 7 times ... more than any other actor.

Roger also famously played Simon Templar in the popular British TV series, "The Saint" -- and served as a UNICEF ambassador for many years.

His children say there will be a private funeral held in Monaco.

Daniel Craig can make all the suicide threats he wants, but as long as he's drawing breath ... he will be playing 007 -- at least according to his "Spectre" co-star Christoph Waltz.

Craig recently said he'd slash his wrists before he plays James Bond again -- which, of course, has fueled talk of a possible black Bond in the future. But no offense to the likes of Idris Elba ... "Spectre" baddie Christoph thinks Craig is just blowing smoke.

As he left No Name Bar in Hollywood Wednesday night -- C-dub was pretty definitive about who the next Bond will be. Gotta figure the guy has SOME kinda inside info. No?

Daniel Craig posed inbetween his two new gorgeous co-stars -- Berenice Marlohe and Naomie Harris -- from the upcoming James Bond movie "Skyfall" at an event in London this week.

Question is ...