Who will be the next James Bond? This is a question that has been on the lips of people all around the world ever since Daniel Craig discussed hanging up his tuxedo.
No Time to Die is the 25th instalment in the James Bond series, and the actor’s fifth and final film as 007, having held the road since 2006.
The film is scheduled to drop in cinemas on September 30 – causing everyone to wonder who will be the next James Bond, yet again.
It’s the end of an era for Bond fans, and it’s time for Mr Craig to pass the baton over to a new star – but who will It be?
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
It’s worth remembering that 007 producer Barbara Broccoli has said she will not be thinking about who will replace Craig until 2022.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today program, she said: “We want Daniel to have his time of celebration. Next year we’ll start thinking about the future.”
Who will replace Daniel Craig?
Although we won’t know who will replace Daniel Craig as James Bond for a while yet, bookies have been taking bets for a while.
Tom Hardy
(Image: WireImage)
According to bookmaker Coral, odds on Tom Hardy becoming the next Bond has been slashed to 9-4 from 4-1.
Hardy commented on the rumours, saying to Daily Beast: “If I mention it, it’s gone. You know, 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.”
Rege-Jean Page
That makes him Coral’s second favourite to replace Craig, behind Rege-Jean Page who is the 6-4 favourite.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The Bridgerton star described the Bond rumours as being something like a “merit badge” for any British actor who does something of renown.
He added: “I’m glad to have the badge, I’m glad to be in such wonderful company of people who have the badge, but it’s a badge.”
Coral’s Harry Aitkenhead said”: “Rege-Jean Page remains the favourite in our market for who will replace Daniel Craig now he has finished his final Bond film, however Tom Hardy has been the latest mover in the market and his odds have shortened right up.”
James Norton
(Image: Getty Images)
Another favourite to replace Craig is James Norton (4-1), who starred as Alex Godman in crime drama McMafia.
However, he told The Independent that if playing Bond meant sacrificing roles in indie films, that would “be a hard thing for me to swallow”.
Lashana Lynch
Lashana Lynch plays Nomi in No Time to Die, and the odds of her replacing Craig are 5-1.
Speaking about whether she would accept an offer, she told Vogue: “I don’t know. It would depend on a lot of things.
“Nomi represents one thing in this movie, but if she was going to represent more down the line, I would want to talk about the black female experience to the high heavens, and I don’t know if people are ready for that.”
Idris Elba
(Image: Getty Images)
Another huge contender is Idris Elba (8-1), who has already starred in a global franchise after joining Marvel’s Thor in 2011 as Heimdall.
Despite being a popular contender among fans, he has attempted to calm the rumours down, telling Event: “Bond is one of the biggest franchises in the world, and for that reason, whoever ends up playing it, lives it. You’re THAT character, and known as that character for many, many years.
“I’m creating characters now that can still live alongside Idris. Not ones that take over me and solely define me.”
Other James Bond contenders
Other contenders are Luke Evans, Henry Cavill and Richard Madden.
Speaking about the future of the Bond character to Total Film, Broccoli said: “It will have to be reimagined, in the way each actor has reimagined the role.
“That’s what is so exciting and fun about this franchise; the character evolves. Eventually, when we have to think about it, we’ll find the right person.”
Although we don’t know yet who will be the next Bond, Broccoli has confirmed it won’t be a women.
She explained: “We should create roles for women, not just turn a man into a woman.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
