Daniel Craig final outing as James Bond, No Time to Die, breathed new life into cinemas last year finishing top of the box office for 2021.
James Bond producer Michael G Wilson has now revealed the next actor to play 007 will be a man in his 30s, sending speculation into overdrive.
According to the Broccolli estate, the production team behind the film series, the role is yet to be cast.
Here’s what you need to know.
Who will replace Daniel Craig?
It is one of the highest-profile roles on the planet and a host of A-Listers have been linked with taking over where Craig left off.
After Mr Wilson’s comments, Ladbrokes rewrote their odds, leaving Henry Cavill (39), James Norton (37) and Rege-Jean Page (34) to battle it out at the head of the betting at 5/1 apiece.
Ladbrokes have also seen a flood of interest in Bridgerton’s Jonathan Bailey in the past 24 hours, and expect to see his odds shorten even further from 10/1 between now and the end of the week.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: “The latest news from 007 chiefs has sent shockwaves through the Bond betting, and while Rege-Jean Page, James Norton and Henry Cavill rightly lead the way, we’re expecting Jonathan Bailey’s odds to continue to shorten over the coming days after a flurry of bets on the Bridgerton star.”
The Ladbrokes odds below:
Henry Cavill – 5/1
Cavill initially took over as favourite in June following a flurry of bets prompted by a video posted on his Instagram account promoting No 1 Botanicals’ herbal drinks.
The 39-year-old Man of Steel and Witcher actor is seen leaving a tailors on Savile Row where parked outside is a silver Aston Martin, the car of choice for the British Secret Service agent.
As he looks longingly at the sports car, Cavill says in a voiceover: “Of course, life will always have its sweet temptations, some more tempting than others.”
He has long been linked with playing 007 and last year told the Hollywood Reporter: “I think it would be very exciting to have a conversation with the producers.
“In an ideal world, I’d never have to turn anything down. Nothing is off the table. It’s an honour to even be part of that conversation.”
James Norton – 5/1
Cambridge-education Norton is also one to watch with this role. He is best known for appearing in Grantchester, War and Peace and McMafia.
He has also been in Little Women, Lady Chatterley’s Lover, and The Trial of Christine Keeler.
Rege-Jean Page – 5/1
When Page quit Bridgerton in 2021 it sparked rumours that he would be the next and first non-white Bond.
Bridgerton director Julie Anne Robinson said about the rumours: “It’s interesting about Regé, I hope he is not offended by this but I never saw him as a sex symbol..
“I always saw him as a serious actor, very committed, a caring professional.
“And now look at him, I mean, goodness me. It’s incredible, I hope he is the next James Bond.”
Tom Hardy – 3/1
Mr Hardy has long been associated with the role, and he is no stranger to action films, having been in The Dark Knight, Inception, Peaky Blinders and The Revenant.
In 2017 he Sid of the rumours: “There’s a saying amongst us in the fraternity of acting, that if you talk about it you’re automatically out of the race.
“So I can’t possibly comment on that one!”
