It was a hilarious moment on The Tonight Show when Pierce Brosnan found himself struggling to handle some serious heat — and his co-star Helen Mirren wasn’t about to go easy on him.
The 72-year-old James Bond legend took a brave bite of Jimmy Fallon’s homemade jalapeño salsa during a fun taste test, only to immediately start gasping for air.
Meanwhile, the 80-year-old Oscar winner sat right beside him, cool as ever, happily munching away without a care in the world.
The Jalapeño Salsa Showdown
The spicy showdown kicked off when Jimmy Fallon, hosting his late-night show, challenged the stars of The Thursday Murder Club to try his fresh salsa recipe.
Helen Mirren declared the salsa “fabulous” right away and dove in with gusto.
Pierce, however, wasn’t so lucky. The moment he bit into it, he started coughing and admitted with a chuckle, “I don’t do spicy.”
Jimmy quickly shouted, “He’s choking!” but Helen just gave a knowing look and kept wiping the bowl clean with her tortilla chip, showing zero sympathy.
Pierce, trying to keep it light, managed to sputter, “Carry on!” as he recovered.
What’s The Thursday Murder Club About?
The film they were promoting centers around a clever group of retirees who bond over solving cold cases in their peaceful retirement community.
Their quiet hobby takes a thrilling twist when they uncover a brand-new murder mystery that demands their attention.
Helen Mirren stars as Elizabeth, a sharp ex-spy with a talent for uncovering secrets.
Pierce Brosnan plays Ron, a former union activist with a fiery passion.
Alongside them are Ben Kingsley as Ibrahim, an insightful ex-psychiatrist, and Celia Imrie as Joyce, a caring ex-nurse who helps balance the team.
From Bestseller to Big Screen
The Thursday Murder Club movie is based on the bestselling novel by Richard Osman.
The story was kept under wraps while Osman secretly wrote it over 18 months, sparking a heated bidding war before Penguin Random House won the rights in 2019 with a seven-figure deal.
When it was released in 2020, the book became a massive hit, selling over a million copies and ranking just behind Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol and J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in hardback sales.
Its popularity spawned three sequels and a fifth installment is already set for release next year.
Star Power and Sharp Wit Promise a Hit
With a talented cast and a clever script by Katy Brand and Suzanne Heathcote, directed by Chris Columbus (known for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone), The Thursday Murder Club promises a mix of laughs, mystery, and charm.
If Pierce Brosnan’s spicy salsa struggle is any indication, audiences can expect plenty of fun moments both on and off screen.