Jane Bond: Enigma Part 1

Enigma is the third film in the gender-bent series of Jane Bond films and the first of the two-part finale to the first saga. The franchise takes the place of the long-standing James Bond series.

Emma Watson plays the leading character, Agent Jane Bond 007 of MI6. She has no relation to the character James Bond as he does not exist in this franchise's universe.

Background
Despite the commercial success of The American Assassin in 2019 and a third and fourth film in the franchise already in the pipeline, Eon Pictures and Sony were unhappy with the films critical performance and decided to make some changes. Lynne Ramsay did not return for a second film and was instead replaced by Death is Not Enough's director, Sofia Coppola. Coppola opted to bring Shonda Rhimes back to write the sequel, alongside resident Jane Bond screenwriter Jane Goldman. Sony slashed the budget for the film by £50 million from the previous film.

Emma Watson confirmed her return for what she described as a "extravagant tribute to classic Bond" at the 2020 BAFTAs. Emma Thompson would also be back, but her character would be very different in personality as a response to the character's son's death in the previous film. Colin Firth also confirmed a return, revealing the new film would explore Q and M's personal relationship.

Both Julianne Moore and Meryl Streep confirmed they would not be back, Moore stating that she felt her character had closure in her second outing and Meryl revealing she was not asked back. Soon after, Tom Hardy and Tom Hanks both confirmed a return to the series. Rooney Mara revealed she'd be back in a reduced, blink and you'll miss it role.

At the annual 007 panel at San Diego Comic Con in July 2020, Sofia Coppola confirmed that the film's score would be composed by Debbie Wiseman, who was also working with Sia on the theme song. She also announced the casting of Sarah Paulson in a role similar to Meryl Streep's in the previous film and the casting of Chris Pratt as a potential love interest for Jane.

Principal Photography began in late July and concluded in January, Coppola confirmed that the film would be split into 2 parts and both films had been filmed back-to-back, the second part to be released in the summer of 2022.

Synopsis
Internationally disgraced, Agent Jane Bond (Emma Watson) was put into forced retirement by M (Emma Thompson) after the death of her son (Freddie Highmore) at the hands of William Bodyman (Tom Hardy) at the end of the previous. Six months later, Jane is pulled back into the line of duty by M and she learns a lot has changed while she has been gone, M is now married to Q (Colin Firth) and the American government has formed close ties with MI6, headed up by the head of the NSA, Maria Albright (Sarah Paulson) with Agent Saul Westbrook (Chris Pratt) assigned as Jane's US counterpart. The pair are soon sent out on Jane's most dangerous mission yet - to hunt down and kill all members of Enigma, the terrorist group fronted by Bodyman and his wife and protege Monica Harvey (Rooney Mara).

Emma Watson as Agent Jane Bond 007
The highly skilled spy and protagonist who has a troubled relationship with all those she's associated with, she is brought back into action by a reluctant M.

Emma Thompson as Dame Agatha 'M' Moneypenny
The emotionally-damaged Head of MI6 and wife of Q, M holds a grudge against Jane for the death of son but has no choice in bringing her back when requested to do so by Maria Albright.

Sarah Paulson as Special Agent Maria Albright
The quirky and intimidating Head of the NSA, Albright forces M to bring Jane out of retirement to assist with the bringing down of Enigma.

Chris Pratt as Agent Saul Westbrook
A quick and intelligent NSA operative assigned onto the Enigma case with Jane, he shows clear feelings towards Jane, some of which are reciprocated.

Colin Firth as Quentin 'Q' Watersmith
The Head of MI6 computing and technology, he is newly-married to M and begrudges Jane's return by association.

Tom Hardy as William Bodyman
A former British Soldier and wanted terrorist, he used to be associated with Melissa Wallace but since she disappeared he has founded Enigma, a terrorist organisation with the intention of destroying the US and UK governments, with his protege-turned-wife Monica Harvey.

Rooney Mara as Monica Harvey
A trained assassin and William's wife. She's a heavily pregnant terrorist with ruthless intentions.

Tom Hanks as President Laurence Harvey
The lying, manipulative President of the USA and father of Monica who has sent Maria to the UK with the intention of getting his daughter back dead or alive.