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Welcome to another edition of International Insider. I’m Jesse Whittock, here to guide you through the latest international TV and film news, including a significant update on the next James Bond.

Bond Casting Update
Our own Baz Bamigboye has provided the first substantial update on the search for the next James Bond since Amazon MGM Studios appointed Denis Villeneuve as the director of the upcoming film. On Wednesday, Baz shared details about the type of actor Villeneuve is looking to cast for the role.

Unfortunately for fans hoping for a U.S. actor like Timothée Chalamet, Glen Powell, Austin Butler, or Jacob Elordi, the next Bond will be British. Additionally, if you were hoping for an older Bond, such as Tom Hardy (47), Idris Elba (53), or Henry Cavill (42), you might be disappointed. Villeneuve plans to cast an “unknown” actor in their late 20s or early 30s, suggesting a return to tradition where a new face is developed into a star over several films. This approach was successful with the previous Bonds, Daniel Craig and Pierce Brosnan, who both became major stars during their tenures.

A source informed Baz that the new Bond must have a strong physical presence, stating, “Whoever it is, has to look like he could kill you with his bare hands in a trice. From the moment you see him, that has to be readily apparent.” Additionally, it seems that writer Steven Knight will explore Bond’s origins as a Royal Navy Commander before his recruitment by MI6, the UK’s foreign intelligence agency, detailing how he earned his 007 status.

However, don’t expect more updates until Villeneuve completes filming on Dune: Part Three, so there may be a wait for further news. As one source put it, “It’s a new Bond, a new start, a fresh everything.”

San Sebastian Film Festival Highlights
The San Sebastian Film Festival, which concludes on Saturday, has been notably political this year, with the ongoing violence in Gaza taking center stage. Many high-profile guests wore watermelon pins inscribed with ‘Genocide Stop’ in the local Basque language as they walked the relaxed red carpet. Festival delegates and local activists organized a demonstration with over 3,000 participants at the main gala venue last Saturday to protest the violence in Gaza.

During the festival, veteran actor Eduard Fernández, while accepting Spain’s National Film Award on September 20, wore a Keffiyeh, a traditional Palestinian scarf, and spoke extensively about Gaza. The San Sebastian Management Committee previously issued an open letter rejecting the actions of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and its treatment of the Palestinian people. However, festival head José Luis Rebordinos emphasized that they oppose any calls for cultural boycotts and support Israeli films.

Meanwhile, the Creative Investors’ Conference at San Sebastian attracted executives from companies like TF1, Fremantle, and Mediawan, who discussed the current state of the industry. Industry veteran Patrick Wachsberger advised attendees to remain calm and optimistic, stating, “Creativity is inhibited by fear.”

On the film front, the standout title in competition has been Dolores Fonzi’s Belén, which has been submitted as Argentina’s entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards. Stay tuned for updates on which film wins the top prize at San Sebastian.

Busan Film Festival Discussions
The 30th edition of the Busan International Film Festival featured notable attendees like Lisa from Blackpink, Lee Byung-hun, and actress-director Sylvia Chang. The event was lively, with discussions led by our Asia editor Liz Shackleton.

Guillermo del Toro and Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, who received the Asian Filmmaker of the Year award, were also present. Panahi raised concerns about the Oscars submission process for the Best International Feature Film category, urging the Academy to distance itself from national governments that may influence selections through political biases.

For more details on Busan, including coverage of the sales event ACFM, check our full report.

Other Industry News
In a curious story, bestselling author and entrepreneur Marco Robinson faces scrutiny over his claims of collaborations with Russell Crowe and invitations to Richard Branson’s Necker Island. An investigation reveals that Robinson has profited from these assertions by offering development masterclasses to aspiring writers.

In other news, TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain as President Trump signed an executive order requiring its Chinese owner, ByteDance, to divest its U.S. operations. A consortium including Oracle, Fox Corp., and Dell Technologies is expected to take over, valuing TikTok’s U.S. operations at $14 billion.

Industry Essentials

• Caroline Aherne, the beloved British comedy star, will be the subject of a feature film produced by Andy Harries and Jeff Pope.
• Rose Matafeo returns for Sky New Zealand’s Small Town Scandal, alongside British star Felicity Kendal.
• Regal Entertainment has launched the latest installment in its long-running Shake, Rattle Roll horror anthology franchise.
• The UK’s Culture Secretary expresses frustration with the right-leaning news network GB News.
• European indie producers warn that a proposed European Commission mega-funding initiative, AgoraEu, could threaten creativity and diversity.
• SXSW London has confirmed its second edition, scheduled for June 1-6 in the British capital.
• Canal+ has completed its $2 billion acquisition of Africa’s MultiChoice and plans to focus on original content like Shaka iLembe.
• Get a first look at Heated Rivalry, a steamy Canadian ice hockey drama from Crave.
• Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle has become the highest-grossing Japanese film globally, with over $555 million in earnings this past weekend.

Disclaimer: This article has been auto-generated from a syndicated RSS feed and has not been edited by Vitrina staff. It is provided solely for informational purposes on a non-commercial basis.