Pierce Brosnan is unrecognizable. The man who once epitomized suave sophistication as James Bond in GOLDENEYE has undergone a stunning physical transformation that signals something profound about his current career trajectory. In the newly released trailer for GIANT, Brosnan appears with thinning white hair swept into a modest comb-over, wire-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, and the humble tracksuit of a working-class boxing trainer—a far cry from the tailored tuxedos and Aston Martins that defined his most famous role.
This dramatic metamorphosis isn’t just cosmetic; it represents Brosnan’s deliberate pivot toward character-driven storytelling in the later stages of his career. Written and directed by Rowan Athale, GIANT tells the remarkable true story of Prince Naseem “Naz” Hamed, the British-Yemeni boxing sensation who captivated the sports world throughout the 1990s. Amir El-Masry takes on the titular role of the flamboyant featherweight champion, while Brosnan embodies Brendan Ingle, the Irish trainer whose compassionate yet disciplined approach helped forge a boxing legend.
The casting choice reveals Brosnan’s newfound willingness to disappear into roles that challenge his established screen persona. Where once he relied on his natural charisma and devastating good looks, he now embraces the art of complete character immersion. Tony Ingle, brother of the real Brendan, has praised Brosnan’s commitment to authenticity, noting how the actor’s Irish heritage and physical resemblance to his late brother create an almost uncanny portrayal. “He’s quite capable of capturing Brendan,” Tony observed, emphasizing how Brosnan’s retained Irish sensibility allows him to inhabit the role without affectation.
This transformation extends beyond mere appearance to encompass the deeper emotional terrain that Brosnan has been exploring in recent years. His role in MRS. DOUBTFIRE showcased his ability to find humor and heart in unexpected places, while his work in various independent films has demonstrated a hunger for substantial dramatic material. In GIANT, he’s not playing a heroic figure or romantic lead, but rather a working-class mentor whose greatest victories happen not in the spotlight but in the quiet moments of guidance and support he provides to his fighters.
The film promises to tackle complex social issues, particularly the racism and Islamophobia that Hamed faced as a British-Yemeni Muslim navigating the boxing world. Brosnan’s Brendan Ingle serves as both trainer and protective figure, someone who understood that his role extended far beyond teaching technique to encompassing genuine mentorship in a hostile environment. This kind of nuanced, socially conscious storytelling represents exactly the type of project that has attracted Brosnan in his post-Bond career.
The involvement of Sylvester Stallone as executive producer adds another layer of heavyweight credibility to the production, suggesting that GIANT aims to join the pantheon of serious boxing films rather than serving as mere sports entertainment. For Brosnan, this collaboration with respected industry veterans signals his commitment to projects with both artistic merit and cultural significance.
What makes Brosnan’s current career phase so compelling is his apparent comfort with stepping away from leading man expectations. Rather than clinging to the debonair charm that made him famous, he’s embracing character work that demands complete transformation. The man who once seemed destined to play variations of sophisticated gentleman is now seeking roles that require him to become entirely different people.
This evolution reflects a mature actor’s understanding that longevity in Hollywood comes not from repeating past successes but from constantly challenging oneself with new kinds of stories. In GIANT, Brosnan isn’t trying to recapture the magic of his Bond years; instead, he’s demonstrating that his true talent lies in his ability to disappear completely into the lives of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. The result is a career renaissance that promises to be far more interesting than any return to familiar territory could ever be.
Taylor Swift just dropped the OPALITE music video and it`s giving major Irish vibes ☘️✨
The nearly 6-minute visual sees Domhnall Gleeson starring as Taylor`s love interest, playing two lonely souls who find each other. But here`s where it gets even better: eagle-eyed Swifties spotted cameos from Cillian Murphy and Graham Norton, making this a full-on Irish affair.
Want the full breakdown of this transatlantic collaboration? Head to our blog for all the details on how this stunning video came together. Link in bio! 🔗
The creator of DERRY GIRLS just dropped a murder mystery set at an Irish wake, and honestly? It`s the genre mashup we didn`t know we needed 🕵️♀️
Lisa McGee is back with HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN FROM BELFAST on Netflix, and if you loved how she found humor in the Troubles (Protestants! Toasters! Cupboards!), you`re going to eat this up.
Three friends reunite for their childhood bestie`s funeral, only to realize her death isn`t what it seems. Cue an eerie adventure across Ireland that`s equal parts creepy and hilarious.
More at irishfilmtv.com.
British Vogue just put Jessie Buckley on their February cover and it`s not just a magazine shoot—it`s a coronation.
Shot by Jack Davison on the windswept Norfolk coast near her home, these images are pure cinema. Sky, sea, and a woman at the exact moment her entire life is about to change.
She`s the frontrunner for Best Actress. HAMNET is destroying audiences. She`s a new mother standing at the edge of the kind of fame that alters everything.
And Vogue captured it all—the grit, the greatness, the quiet mastery that got her here.
More Jessie at irishfilmtv.com.
Caitriona Balfe has just landed her next major role in THE HOUSEKEEPER.
Set in a grand historic manor against Cornwall`s dramatic landscape, Balfe plays Danni, a housekeeper who falls into a forbidden affair with none other than writer Daphne du Maurier (played by Mackenzi Laird).
While we`re counting down to OUTLANDER`s final season premiere on Mar 6th, Balfe is already proving she`s so much more than Claire Fraser. 🔥
More Caitriona at irishfilmtv.com.
After over 20 years of mesmerizing us on screen, Saoirse Ronan is ready to call the shots—literally.
The four-time Oscar nominee is making her directorial debut with PAPER PLANE, an Irish short film she`s also writing, and honestly, this feels like the natural next chapter for someone who`s been acting since she was nine years old.
Details about PAPER PLANE are still under wraps, but with Ronan`s track record, expectations are sky-high. What are you most excited to see from her behind the camera? 🎬
More Saoirse at irishfilmtv.com.
Louis Paxton`s Sundance 2026 debut THE INCOMER stars Domhnall Gleeson, Gayle Rankin, and Grant O`Rourke in a trio that`s equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking.
Think fish-out-of-water meets generational grief, wrapped in the warmth of fireside hot chocolate. Sometimes the scariest thing isn`t a legendary Fin Man—it`s letting go of the past.
Have you ever held onto something because changing felt like betrayal?
More Domhnall at irishfilmtv.com.
🎸 THE BEATLES ARE COMING BACK TO CINEMAS.
Four films. Four perspectives. One legendary band.
Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney. Harris Dickinson as John Lennon. Joseph Quinn as George Harrison. Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr.
The first look just dropped via postcards hidden around Liverpool`s performing arts campus and honestly?
The hype is REAL. 🔥
Sam Mendes is directing all four films, each told from a different Beatle`s POV, and they`re ALL releasing on the same day—April 7, 2028.
Which Beatle`s story are you most excited to see? 👇
Irish talent is absolutely dominating the 2026 BAFTA nominations! 🇮🇪✨
Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal both scored major noms for HAMNET, with Buckley up for Leading Actress as Agnes and Mescal recognized for Supporting Actor as William Shakespeare. The film has basically swept the nominations, breaking records left and right.
But that`s just the beginning. Andrew Scott landed on the longlist for BLUE MOON, Robbie Ryan got recognized for his stunning cinematography on BUGONIA, and even Cillian Murphy appears as a producer on the STEVE longlist.
From performers to cinematographers to production companies like Element Pictures and Wild Atlantic Pictures, Irish voices are everywhere in this year`s race.
The ceremony hits London on February 22nd. The world is watching Irish cinema right now, and what a moment to witness. 🎬🔥
#Ireland #Irish #Movies #Film #Television #TV #Cinema #Irishmovies #IrishFilm #IrishCinema #Actor #ActorsLife #IrishActor #BAFTA #BAFTAs #BAFTA2026 #JessieBuckley #PaulMescal #AndrewScott #CillianMurphy #RobbieRyan #Hamnet #AwardsSeason #IrishTalent #FilmTwitter #Filmmaking #IrishProud
Aidan Turner is about to prove the pen is mightier than the sword 🗡️
Fresh from his scene-stealing turn as Declan O`Hara in RIVALS, Turner takes on one of literature`s most dangerously charismatic figures: the Vicomte de Valmont in DANGEROUS LIAISONS.
Mar 21 to Jun 6 at @nationaltheatre - more at irishfilmtv.com.
