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Tom Hardy the next James Bond?
We have carved out Revenant and Venom star Tom Hardy as the next James Bond.
Speculation has been rife ever since Daniel Craig first mentioned hanging up his tux, and it seems like Bronson heartthrob Hardy could be set to pick up the mantle.
With the delayed 25th instalment of the spy series set for UK release on September 30, a whole smörgåsbord of eligible superspies have had their names thrown into the ring.
Craig has played Bond in four films since 2006 – Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre – but with his fifth and likely final outing locked in, here are the latest odds on who will take over as the next 007.
Hardy is no stranger to action-espionage films, having starred in Christopher Nolan’s Inception, and he is currently 5/2 favourite to assume the role.
The Hammersmith-born 43-year-old earned serious plaudits for his efforts in films such as Mad Max and The Revenant, and notably declined to speak about the iconic role when rumours first abounded in 2017.
Bridgerton’s dashing Rege-Jean Page has long been the internet’s choice to land the role amid news that he will star alongside Bond girl Ana de Armas in the Gray Man. This, as well as the news Page will feature in Dungeons and Dragons alongside Chris Pine and Hugh Grant, show demand is high for the leading man’s services.
Page is joint second favourite at 3/1, alongside James Norton, whose Hollywood credentials have continued to grow. From Grantchester to Happy Valley, his CV is strong, and the 36-year-old Brit really raised the stakes with his turn as Alex Goodman in crime drama McMafia.
Welsh actor and Disney star Luke Evans, who has made no bones about his willingness to take up the coveted role, continues to attract interest at 6/1. Completing the top five is London-born Luther star Idris Elba, along with Superman Henry Cavill.
Will it be Elba; Idris Elba? There has been plenty of chatter ever since he posted a photo on Instagram with that caption back in 2018. And given all the high-octane action stunts he pulled off in the hit BBC crime drama, he could be cut from the right cloth.
As would man of steel Cavill, who was almost cast as Bond ahead of Craig, having auditioned for Casino Royale. With much being made of the suitability of the 38-year-old’s muscular physique and London accent, both he and Elba are available at 8/1.
Scot and Outlander star Sam Heughan – although not as well known as some of the other hot tips – is sought after following his role in the 2018 flick ‘The Spy Who Dumped Me’ and British GQ has even tipped the 12/1 shot for the gig.
Tom Hiddleston of Thor fame could fit the bill. The Night Manager star joins Heughan on 12/1 and did play an MI5 officer in the BBC series, but it remains to be seen whether the Loki star could take time out from his busy Marvel calendar to jump in an Aston Martin.
Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy at 28/1 is often linked to the role, but he himself has tipped a female lead, while Game of Thrones and Bodyguard actor Richard Madden continues to excel in the spotlight.
According to some reports, Madden has caught the eye of executive producer Barbara Broccoli. But despite all speculation and years of saying No Time To Die would be his fifth and final outing as Ian Fleming’s famous spy, could Daniel Craig have a change of heart?
Meanwhile, Lashana Lynch (10/1) – who has downplayed her character Nomi taking on Bond’s designation in the latest movie – could become the first female to front the franchise, while 25/1 shot Henry Golding could become the first Asian Bond.
As far as potential surprise packages go, Kanye West is priced at 200/1 with Emilia Fox at 500/1, while Will Smith, Colin Firth and David Beckham are all on offer at 1000/1.
Clearly there are also some who think that Line of Duty faves Martin Compston (66/1) and Vicky McLure (1000/1) should be given a license to kill next too!
