Pooja Pillai is an entertainment journalist with Asian Media Group, where she covers cinema, pop culture, internet trends, and the politics of representation. Her work spans interviews, cultural features, and social commentary across digital platforms.
She began her reporting career as a news anchor, scripting and presenting stories for a regional newsroom. With a background in journalism and media studies, she has since built a body of work exploring how entertainment intersects with social and cultural shifts, particularly through a South Indian lens.
She brings both newsroom rigour and narrative curiosity to her work, and believes the best stories don’t just inform — they reveal what we didn’t know we needed to hear.
British actor Scott Rose-Marsh has reportedly screen tested for the new James Bond film.
The 37-year-old was asked to read lines from GoldenEye without imitating past 007 stars.
His audition challenges reports that Amazon wanted a much younger actor in his 20s.
Bond 26 will be directed by Denis Villeneuve and written by Steven Knight.
British rising star Scott Rose-Marsh has reportedly taken part in a James Bond screen test, fuelling speculation over who will replace Daniel Craig in the iconic role. The 37-year-old actor, who has credits in Krays: Code of Silence and Wolves of War, is the latest name linked to the coveted part. His audition comes as filmmaker Denis Villeneuve and Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight prepare to usher in a new era of 007 with Bond 26.
Scott Rose-Marsh has reportedly auditioned for the next James Bond film Instagram/scottrosemarsh
Who is Scott Rose-Marsh and what are his acting credits?
Scott Rose-Marsh may not be a household name, but the British actor has been steadily building his career in both film and television. His screen credits include the crime drama Krays: Code of Silence (2021) and the war thriller Wolves of War. On television, he has appeared in Chloe and Stephen Merchant’s The Outlaws.
At 37, Rose-Marsh is almost the same age Daniel Craig was when he debuted as 007 in Casino Royale (2006). This raises questions about whether Amazon, which recently acquired MGM and the Bond franchise in a deal worth around £790 million (₹83,44,90,00,000), is shifting its casting direction away from the previously rumoured younger candidates.
According to reports in The Hollywood Reporter, Rose-Marsh was invited to audition by reading dialogue from the 1995 Pierce Brosnan film GoldenEye. However, producers reportedly instructed him not to mimic Brosnan or any previous Bond actor, emphasising a fresh interpretation of the role.
The move signals that the creative team may be looking for a unique spin on the legendary spy, rather than recycling familiar mannerisms. This could prove decisive in differentiating Bond 26 from past instalments and establishing a new identity for the character.
At 37, Rose-Marsh is close to the same age Daniel Craig was when he debuted as 007Instagram/scottrosemarsh
Who else is in the running to be the next James Bond?
For months, Aaron Taylor-Johnson has been considered the frontrunner, with bookmakers and fans tipping the Kick-Ass star as Craig’s successor. Other names frequently mentioned include Masters of the Air actor Callum Turner, The Gentlemen star Theo James, and Bridgerton favourite Regé-Jean Page.
However, if Rose-Marsh’s reported screen test proves accurate, it highlights just how unpredictable the casting process can be. The actor would also be the first redheaded Bond in history, echoing the debate that erupted in 2005 when Craig’s blond hair sparked headlines before his first outing in Casino Royale.
Jeff Bezos\u2019 post on next James Bond shakes the internet after Amazon\u2019s takeover of franchise Instagram/007
When will Bond 26 be released?
No official release date has been confirmed for Bond 26, but the film is not expected until 2028. What is known is that acclaimed director Denis Villeneuve, fresh off the Dune trilogy, has been signed to direct. The script is currently being written by Steven Knight, who has been tasked with creating a story that balances the franchise’s legacy with a modern edge.
The project is being overseen by long-time Bond producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, alongside new collaborators Amy Pascal and David Heyman. With Amazon MGM Studios now holding creative control, expectations are high for how this next chapter of 007 will be shaped.
The actress defended her claim that acting demands more than desk jobs in a recent interview.
She said office workers can "chill out" during work hours, unlike film stars.
Fans and working professionals called her comments privileged and out of touch.
The backlash started after her appearance on Amazon Prime's Two Much with Kajol & Twinkle.
Critics pointed out the financial gap and support systems actors have compared to regular employees.
Kajol probably didn't expect this reaction when she sat down with Twinkle Khanna on Two Much. But her comments about actors working harder than people with 9-to-5 jobs have blown up, and not in a good way.
Fans slam Kajol after she says actors work harder than regular employees sparking online outrage Getty Images
The comments that started it all
Kajol was speaking out about her earlier comments on Two Much with Kajol & Twinkle on Amazon Prime, where she said actors work harder than most people. This time she was explaining why she thinks that.
She told The Hollywood Reporter India that her days are full of shoots, events, and very early flights. One day involved waking at 5 AM to catch a flight to Jaipur for a 3 PM event.
But it was her take on regular jobs that got people talking. She claimed desk workers don't need to be "100% present" and can take breaks, "chill out," and relax while working. She kept coming back to the unending scrutiny actors face like the feeling of always being watched or something as simple as how you cross your legs or who's snapping a picture in the background becomes a constant calculation. You have to be switched on, she insisted, all the time.
The internet, frankly, was having none of it. YouTube and Reddit exploded with responses. "For the kind of remuneration actors are paid, they shouldn't have a problem working 12 hours a day for 4 days a week," one user wrote. Another pointed out that films typically take 3-4 months to shoot, while regular jobs run year-round.
The responses got more pointed. "Vanity mein naps or massages bhi toh hum lete hain," a Reddit user commented, referencing the comfort of vanity vans. Someone else joked: "If you work poorly, you get fired. If you act poorly, you get a Filmfare award."
The bluntest response yet? "Respectfully, Kajol, shut up."
Nobody denies acting is demanding. Long hours, public pressure, and constant judgement are very real. But comparing it to regular employment ignores some major differences.
Most people work 12 months a year with two weeks' holiday if they're lucky. They don't have spot boys fetching drinks or vanity vans for rest breaks. One netizen nailed it: "A working parent's schedule is continuous, every single day, with no wrap-up party or off-season."
Online erupts as Kajol defends claim that acting demands more than everyday 9-to-5 workGetty Images
There's also the money. While her fee for a single film is probably more than most people earn in a year, she says that doesn’t make the work easy. Still, it does provide a comfort that regular employees don’t have. Kajol has not yet replied to the backlash.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.