Andrew L. Urban
Just FYI … The 25-film franchise built on Ian Fleming’s spy character James Bond is being extended in Bond 26, according to rumour, with the next edition featuring a female version, Jane Bond, a cousin of the male spy (played by Daniel Craig) who was killed in the most recent (2015) film, No Time to Die.
Casting is almost complete, albeit held in secret, but Australia’s much acclaimed 2008 NIDA graduate Sarah Snook is mentioned ‘in dispatches’ after her multi-award winning (and commercially successful) roles in Succession (2018-2023) and latterly, All Her Fault (2025).
Leading producer on the project, Barbara Broccoli, was quoted by an unnamed source inside the production team saying it was a major reset for the character made possible by the death of Bond 007 … leading to a new agent licenced to kill, a female. Broccoli was also quoted saying it was a natural progression for Bond in the 21st century, when women are no longer restricted in roles they play on screen or in real life. It would justify the creation of agent 008 … symbolic of the progression.
Sarah Snook (image: Wikipedia)
Apparently, the production team spent weeks debating (arguing) the pros and cons of turning James into Jane, but Broccoli had the casting vote. Now 38, Adelaide-born Snook would be more credible in the role than a younger actress, Broccoli pointed out to her team, giving her character time to gain experience … and also making her age a positive in social contexts, and the film less male-heavy. And she would be credible.
Jane Bond’s character background is being workshopped to ensure it’s a credible fit with her male cousin. The family connection of the characters is deemed an important element to help bridge the jump from male to female. One possible aspect of the female (blonde?) Bond is a secretive past in British security, where she learnt much of the spycraft required for the character.
Supporting cast has still to be finalised, after who plays Bond has been confirmed.
There is also speculation that Snook’s Australian roots may influence the producers to take advantage of Australian location and production benefits with flow-on effects.
Bond’s famous self-introductory line “Bond…James Bond” could not be rescued if played by anyone with a discordant first name. That, in truth, may be one rationale to cast a female… and how well “Bond, Jane Bond” would resonate with the audience!
Steven Fennell’s Cell-Block Musical – “Guilty by Say-So: The Musical”!
Just FYI … The man who’s spent years exposing wrongful convictions on this very site is about to put his own nightmare to music and dance. According to well-placed (but deeply amused) sources inside the Australian theatre scene, Steven Fennell is developing a new musical based on his arrest, years behind bars, and eventual acquittal.
Titled Guilty by Say-So: The Musical, the show is being workshopped right now as a no-holds-barred, song-and-dance takedown of dodgy police work, courtroom circus acts and the long road to justice. Think Chicago meets The Shawshank Redemption with a healthy dose of bitter Aussie black humour and a tap routine in the prison showers.
Casting is still under wraps, but rumours are flying thicker than prison porridge. Fennell himself is said to be taking the lead role playing, well, himself because who better to belt out the big “I Was Set Up” number than the bloke who actually lived it?
Supporting cast speculation is already turning heads:
Russell Crowe is the hot tip for the corrupt detective who “found” the dodgy evidence. (Picture the Gladiator scowl, but this time in a bad Hawaiian shirt during a police interview gone wrong.)
Geoffrey Rush as the bewildered judge who somehow bought the whole “say-so” confession. Sources say his courtroom tap-dance solo is already a show-stopper in rehearsals.
Cate Blanchett is rumoured for the defence lawyer who finally cracks the case delivering a show-stopping power ballad titled “Objection… With Feeling!”
Nicole Kidman as the long-suffering wife who kept the faith through every appeal. (Her quiet, devastating rendition of “They Said You Did It” is apparently bringing tears even in the workshop.)
Chris Hemsworth as the wise-cracking prison buddy who teaches Steven the fine art of surviving lock-up with a cheeky musical number called “Bend Over and Sing”.
There’s even talk of a special cameo from Sarah Snook (fresh off her latest award sweep) as a no-nonsense journalist who helps blow the case wide open because nothing says “truth will out” like a Succession level stare-down in the visitors’ room.
Producers are reportedly eyeing a Brisbane premiere before taking it to Sydney and Melbourne, with possible international interest because nothing travels quite like a true-crime musical with a happy ending and a few well-aimed kicks at the justice system.
One unnamed source close to the project laughed: “After everything Steven’s been through, he’s decided the best revenge is a show tune. And honestly? It’s about time someone turned a wrongful conviction into jazz hands.”
We’ll keep you posted as more details emerge. In the meantime, if you hear someone practising “Bond… Jane Bond” in the shower, it’s probably just Steven warming up for the big finale: “Acquitted… Steven Fennell!”
And yes, this one’s 100% tongue-in-cheek.
Love it!