The hunt for the next James Bond is on, but maybe not for much longer! With actors like Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Anthony Boyle, Callum Turner, Leo Suter, Harris Dickinson, Regé-Jean Page, and Idris Elba being named in the running, Jacob Elordi has now seemingly had advanced talks with the creators for the role of 007. As per a ShowBiz report on January 23, the star met up with Denis Villeneuve, and this could more or less mean that a role may be confirmed.

The James Bond franchise seems to be eyeing a new lead, Jacob Elordi

Jacob Elordi earned his first-ever Oscar nomination for his portrayal of The Creature in Netflix’s Frankenstein. He is up for the Best Supporting Actor win at the Academy Awards alongside Sean Penn and Benicio Del Toro in One Battle After Another, Delroy Lindo in Sinners, and Stellan Skarsgard in Sentimental Value. Not only is it his debut nod, but it is also an acknowledgement of his refreshing career. And the actor seems more than ready to take on another iconic role in the form of James Bond, previously essayed by Daniel Craig.

As per recent reports, the 28-year-old has had extensive meetings with director Denis Villeneuve and the film’s producers. As such, it appears that they may have reached a conclusion on the casting in the role of the famed spy in Amazon’s upcoming reboot. If this comes true, on the heels of his Oscars nom, Jacob Elordi may get ready for another celebration soon.

Earlier reports have pitted Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Callum Turner as two other strong contenders for the character, so take all information with a grain of salt. Apart from the director, Peaky Blinders fame writer Steven Knight has been handed over the script authority. Other details remain under wraps as of now. 

Meanwhile, Jacob Elordi is known for his work in The Kissing Booth and Euphoria, alongside his other projects, including Saltburn and Priscilla. He will next be seen in the erotic romance drama, Wuthering Heights, with Margot Robbie. 

Luv Ranjan is a popular Indian filmmaker who is best known for quirky rom-coms, however he has balanced his filmography very well by trying different subjects and floating from one genre to the other through his production ventures. In an exclusive interview with Pinkvilla, Luv Ranjan not only talked about the difference between his directorial picks versus production projects, but also shared insights on his upcoming slate of releases. 

Excerpts from the interview: 

Every filmmaker craves a signature style, and you clearly have one. Whenever we think of a quirky, modern rom-com, your name immediately comes to mind. Does it come naturally to you?

I am genuinely telling you, I have no idea. When I started in this industry, it was not like I decided that I was going to be a filmmaker who would have a signature with quirky rom-coms. Sometimes, what happens is that you can’t determine your journey. You set out to do something, and your journey takes form. My second film, Akash Vani, if it had done well at the box office, maybe I would have ventured more towards dramas. So, now no one can tell when that journey will turn and in which direction. It just so happened that you know, I ended up doing rom coms and comedies and quirky comedies, and they resonated with the audiences. 

Today, we are talking about me having a signature in terms of rom-coms and comedies. But if you ask me, was it intentional? It wasn’t intentional. It wasn’t something that I decided beforehand, that this is the path I’m going to take and this is the journey I’m going to take. 

Out of all your directorial films, I feel Akash Vaani is the most underrated and isn’t talked about much. Do you think if the film were released today, it would be better accepted by audiences? Haven’t you thought of re-releasing it? 

I would like to believe that. Yeah, maine kabhi socha nahi uss direction mein. But now that you are saying that maybe I will give it a thought that we should think of re-releasing it, probably.

There’s a clear difference between the kind of films you direct and the ones you produce. How do you pick and choose to be involved as a producer or director?

See, because before being a producer and a director, I’m an audience. I love films. And I love all kinds of films. Right, it’s not like I only like comedies as an audience. I grew up on different kinds of cinema. I’m a fan of different kinds of cinema and different genres. Now, the whole idea of being a producer is also about the fact that as a producer, you can venture into different territories. Why should we limit ourselves to making films that I can make? 

So, the fun is to be able to produce films and be a part of films that may not be entirely my cup of tea, as a creator. But as long as they are my cup of tea as an audience, as long as it’s a film that I would like to watch, it’s a film that I would like to make in whatever capacity that I can.

Have you decided your next directorial film? 

I’m writing my next. Hopefully, I will tell you soon.

What more we can expect from your production space after Vadh 2? 

We have just finished an action film with Ajay Devgn sir, which is going to release later this year. We have already announced it. We are very soon starting Sourav Ganguly’s biopic in March. So that is something on the slate that we are working on. 

Stay tuned to Pinkvilla for more updates.

Somewhere between blockbusters Rockstar and Jab We Met reruns popping back into our cinema watchlists, a Charlie Puth video casually captioned “Heard it was 2016 again?”, and grainy photo dumps that look straight out of a VSCO-coded flashback, the internet has entered its throwback era of the decade.

If your feed suddenly feels warmer, softer, and a little unhinged in the best way, you are certainly not imagining it. With nostalgia screaming “Can we go back please?”, “I miss 2016” is basically the mood of the moment. So if 2026 is low-key the new 2016, here are some throwbacks that feel right at home – once again!

1. DIY Is Having a Main-Character Moment (Again)
Remember being glued to 5-Minute Craft compilations, decorating your school notebooks with stickers and doodles, turning old jeans into shorts, or fiddling with phone charms and scoubidou bracelets? That “I made this myself” itch is back.
2026 is seeing the return of patchwork outfits, beading, and handmade decor, alongside old-school DIY skincare hacks that look suspiciously familiar – hello besan face packs, coffee scrubs, and aloe vera straight from the plant! After years of overconsuming mass-produced everything, India’s Gen Z is all about making it yourself, customizing, and experimenting. Less “buy the trend,” more “make your own.” Very 2016. Very now – all over again. Take Snap Star Dixita Patel’s crocheted parandi as an example of how handmade creativity is going viral on social.

2. Skinny Low-Waist Jeans Are On Their Redemption Arc

Love them or hate them, skinny low-waist jeans ran 2016. Styled with crop tops, oversized jackets, band tees, they were bold, a little controversial, and very “I dress for myself” – opinions be damned!

In 2026, the comeback isn’t just retro, it’s fashion rebellion. After years of safe silhouettes, muted tones, and dull and drab copy-paste outfits, people are rocking what they love, thrifting like pros, and throwing off “off-the-rack” vibes. Fearless, fun, and very main character energy. And honestly, we are here to cheer on with a bright green flag!

3. Snapchat and Selfies Are Letting Us Be Unserious Again

Back in 2016, selfies weren’t about looking hot, they were about having fun. If that year had a face, it was the dog lens, the flower crown, or a blurry front-camera moment that didn’t try too hard.

Cut to 2026, and that carefree energy is quietly making a comeback. Photo dumps with throwback Lenses are popping up again, with creators and celebs leaning into the nostalgia. Snap Star Ananya Panday recently shared a flower crown selfie captioned “2016 really was it”, while Snap Star Molly Patel is bringing that same 2016 energy back onto our phones. Even globally, the throwback obsession is showing up in behavior. Searches for ‘2016 dog’ in Snapchat’s Lens Explorer are up 352% this year, while searches for ‘2016’ itself have jumped 613%. Less picture-perfect grid, more “this is me, unfiltered, having fun” energy – peak 2016.

4. Bitmojis and Digital Avatars: Dressing Up Your Online Self

Another very 2016 habit we wouldn’t mind reviving is obsessing over your Bitmoji. Spending way too much time getting your digital avatar to actually look like you, from matching outfits to tweaking hairstyles until it finally feels right, is becoming fun again. Unlike today’s hyper-curated feeds, Bitmojis aren’t about looking flawless; they’re about capturing personality without pressure. Think of it as a low-stakes digital dress-up for grown-ups. Honestly, we missed it. Have you made your Bitmoji dance to Lush Life by Zara Larsson yet? 

5. K-Dramas Are Giving Us Peak 2016 Feels

2016 was THE golden year of K-Dramas with the bittersweet intensity of tear-jerkers that leave you crying at 2 a.m., emotionally attached to fictional characters, and feeling everything all at once. And now, 2026 is shaping up to bring that same intensity back. With many actors from that era returning after completing South Korea’s mandatory military service, fans are once again counting days, dissecting teasers, and going all in with their feelings. With upcoming releases like Spring Fever, Perfect Crown, Boyfriend on Demand, and The Remarried Empress in the pipeline for the year, suddenly the excitement, the chaos, and the collective obsession feel very, very 2016. Honestly? We are ready to feel it all once more.

6. 2016 Pop Music Is Officially Back On Loop 

2016 gave us more than Bollywood hits – screaming along to Bieber’s “Sorry”, Zara Larsson’s “Lush Life”, and memorizing every Bruno Mars chorus. Fast-forward to 2026, and it’s all back on repeat. Justin Bieber headlining Coachella? The “Lush Life” Dance Challenge taking over your feeds? Bruno Mars dropping his latest solo album after 24K Magic in 2016? It’s giving solid proof that the soundtrack of our teen years is back, just brighter, louder, and groovier this time!