Die Another Day (2002)

Die Another Day (2002), a spy film and the twentieth in the James Bond series from Eon Productions, was directed by Lee Tamahori and written by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade. The film also marked the final appearance of Pierce Brosnan as the iconic MI6 agent, with John Cleese making his debut as Q. In the movie, Bond goes undercover to infiltrate a North Korean military base where Colonel Tan-Sun Moon is dealing weapons for diamonds used in African conflicts. When one of Moon’s associates discovers Bond’s true identity, a thrilling chase ensues involving hovercrafts and a waterfall. However, Bond is eventually captured by North Korean soldiers and imprisoned by General Moon, father of the Colonel. After enduring fourteen months of captivity and torture at the hands of his captors, Bond is eventually released in exchange for Zao across the Bridge of No Return.

Upon his return home, M informs him that his status as a 00 Agent has been put on hold due to suspicions that he may have compromised confidential information while under duress from his captors. Bond suspects a double agent within the British government and escapes MI6’s custody. He turns to Chang, an old colleague and Chinese agent, who reveals Zao’s location in Cuba. In Havana, Bond teams up with NSA agent Giacinta ‘Jinx’ Johnson to investigate a gene therapy clinic known for its DNA alteration procedures. Jinx eliminates the clinic’s leader, Dr. Alvarez, while Bond engages in a fierce battle with Zao inside. Zao manages to flee, but leaves behind a pendant that leads Bond to a stash of conflict diamonds marked with the emblem of billionaire Gustav Graves’ company. It is revealed that Graves only recently emerged as a wealthy figure after discovering diamond reserves in Iceland.