WHO WILL BE THE NEXT 007?
HERE is a look at some of the stars who have been linked with replacing Daniel Craig as 007.
Tom Hardy
The star has been named bookmaker William Hill’s favourite to play the British spy with odds of 5/2.
Hardy, previously received an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor in 2015 for his role in
The British actor, 44, has also starred in a host of Hollywood blockbusters directed by Christopher Nolan including
and Rege-Jean Page
The star shot to super stardom thanks to his role as the dashing Duke of Hastings in Netflix’s raunchy period drama.
Page, 31, is now being eyed up for the role of 007, coming in at joint second favourite at William Hill, which is offering up odds of 3-1.
The actor previously told the
earlier this year: “Ah, the B word. I think if you are British and do anything of note, that other people take notice of, then people will start talking about that.
“That’s fairly normal and I’m flattered to be in the category of Brits that people have noticed.”
He added: “The concept of having plans in this moment in history is mildly hilarious. I’ve given up making them.”
James Norton
Norton is the second actor to be placed at 3-1 odds.
He stars in the crime drama
as Alex Godman, the son of a Russian mafia boss living in London.
The actor, 36, was also nominated for a Bafta award for his role in in 2015.
When previously asked his thoughts on being linked to the Bond role,
Norton told
magazine in 2020: “It’s crazy. It’s not real. It’s speculative.
“There is no truth behind it. Unless journalists know something more than I do.
“It’s bizarre and quite flattering to be even considered in that world, but beyond that? Pure speculation.”
Sam Heughan
The Scottish star, 41, was more enthusiastic at the prospect of taking on the beacon of the classic role, admitting he would “jump” at the chance.
Heughan previously starred as special forces operator Tom Buckingham in an adaptation of former SAS soldier Andy McNab’s novel of the same name.
In an interview with the PA news agency earlier this year, he said: “I don’t know if there is a conversation being had apart from in the media, but I think it’s an incredible franchise and a great character, so of course I would jump at it.
“But I feel like Tom Buckingham is equally as interesting and, who knows, maybe this could be the new franchise.”
Idris Elba
The star is also amongst the favourites by bookmakers, with William Hill placing him at 8/1.
He previously won a Golden Globe for best actor in a miniseries or television film for his role as DCI John Luther in the BBC psychological crime drama.
Elba, 49, has also starred in the crime drama series sci-fi movie and 2021 supervillain film
He has already featured in a global franchise when he joined Marvel’s in 2011 as Heimdall and proceeded to play him in the subsequent sequels, as well as
and
Henry Golding
Golding has previously suggested it was his sharp-suited role as Nick Young in the hit 2018 film that had prompted the Bond rumours.
The Malaysian-British actor, 34, told magazine in 2020: “It was definitely from Crazy Rich, maybe (the scene with) the white suit coming out of the park.
“(And) because I’m Asian and everybody’s fighting for a diverse Bond - sorry, white guys. “I don’t know. It’s an honour to even be in the conversation. It’s one of the greatest film roles ever, you’d be stupid to be like, ‘I don’t want to do that.’
“Isn’t it great that people are like, ‘OK, now’s the time, why the hell can’t we have a black Bond, an Asian Bond, a mixed-race Bond, a non-distinct Bond?”
Suranne Jones
Jones, is currently one of the favourites to star as the first female Bond, with William Hill placing her at number seven on its list and offering up odds of 9/1.
She plays DCI Amy Silva in the new BBC drama made by the production company behind
and
The actress, 43, also previously played the role of Karen McDonald in for four years, but her portrayal of Gemma Foster in the hit BBC One drama series
saw her rise to prominence.