It has now been more than six years since Daniel Craig starred in the last instalment of the lucrative James Bond franchaise, No Time To Die.
It’s looking like 007 will be returning in 2027, with Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve directing and Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight writing the script.
Now it’s just the minor matter of finding the third main part of the jigsaw - the actor (or actress) who will take on the iconic main role and become the world’s most famous spy.
And there can’t be long to go before the biggest casting news of the year (or next year) is confirmed.
It will be a life-changing role for whoever takes it on and becomes only the eighth actor to play 007 following Sean Connery, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig.
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Since Daniel Craig hung up his tux there have been many different actors rumoured to be in the frame, but all bets were off when Barbara Broccoli and her half brother Michael G. Wilson, who have handpicked the Bond actors since the 1990s, signed over ‘full creative control’ to Amazon MGM Studios.
The bookies now seem to have narrowed it down to 15 most likely possibilities - with six in particular leading the way.
Here’s who they are and how likely it is that they will become the world’s most famous superspy.
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1. Callum Turner - 2/1
'Fantastic Beasts' franchaise star Callum Turner has seen his odds steadily narrow over the past year and is now favourite to step into 007's handmade shoes for the first time - priced at 2/1. His most recent major television role was as Major John Egan in 'Masters of the Air' and he'll be on the big screen next year in David Freyne's latest film 'Eternity'. Has he timed his run perfectly? | Getty Images
2. Aaron Taylor-Johnson - 4/1
'Kick-Ass' star Aaron Taylor-Johnson seemed to be a cert for the role of the world's most famous spy last year - some newspapers even suggested he had accepted the part. His odds have been lengthening in recent weeks but, just as we were starting to think he was out of the running, he's tightened right back up into the 4/1 join second favourite - one of just five actors the bookies now rate as having a decent chance. He might have to bin that beard though. | Getty Images
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3. Anthony Boyle - 4/1
At the start of November the bookies reckoned that Anthony Boyle was the favourite for the spy role - and to become the first Northern Irish Bond. His odds have cooled slightly, but he's still the 4/1 joint second favourite - not bad when he wasn't even in the running just a couple of months ago. He found fame in London's West End, playing Scorpius Malfoy in 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' (winning an Olivier Award). He's gained further prominence for playing Arthus Guiness in recent hit Netflix television drama 'The House of Guiness' - which is written by Steven Knight, who is already on board as scriptwriter on the new Bond film. | Getty Images for SAG-AFTRA Found
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4. Theo James - 6/1
Just last month suave 'Divergent' actor Theo James had seen his odds drift out to 12/1 suggesting her was out of the running, despite having led the charge earlier this year. He's now roared back into contention with his odds halving to just 6/1 in a matter of a week. He had an eye-catching part in television show 'The White Lotus' and certainly looks the part. | Getty Images