It has been over well three years since Daniel Craig’s hung up his tux after starring in his final James Bond film, ‘No Time To Die’.
Since then there has been feverish speculation over who will succeed him in one of the world’s biggest film franchaises.
A succession of big names have seemed to be in poll position to follow in the footsteps of Sean Connery, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, and Pierce Brosnan.
In 2024 it was reported that Kickass star Aaron Taylor-Johnson had accepted the job, but it seems that this may not have been entirely accurate.
And there is now further doubt about the recuitment process after Barbara Broccoli and her half brother Michael G. Wilson, who have effectively previously handpicked the actors to play the character since the 1990s, signed over ‘full creative control’ to Amazon MGM Studios.
That development has shaken up the odds - and here are the latest 13 actors currently tipped to pull on 007’s tuxedo.
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5. Harris Dickinson - 15/2
Recently starring alongside Nicole Kidman in an eye-opening role in 'Babygirl', Harris Dickinson is in the frame to play both Doctor Who and James Bond. It's only seven years since his first starring role in Beach Rats, but he's since barely put a foot wrong, playing John Paul Getty III in the FX drama series Trust, then bagging major roles in a string of big films including The King's Man, Triangle of Sadness, Where the Crawdads Sing, and The Iron Claw. He's priced at 15/2. | Getty Images for BAFTA
6. James Norton - 8/1
Another actor who has been long been tipped to play Bond is James Norton, but his odds have drifted out to 8/1 in recent months. The Happy Valley and Grantchester actor certainly looked comfortable in a tux in the BBC's McMafia series. | Getty Images
7. Tom Hardy - 8/1
Also priced at 8/1, Tom Hardy is in the frame to add James Bond to his existing portfolio of franchaise film roles, which includes Batman, Venom, Star Trek and Mad Max. | Getty Images
8. Richard Madden - 12/1
Another Scottish actor in the running to play James Bond is Richard Madden, who shot to global fame after playing Robb Stark in Game of Thrones. The Golden Globe winner (he won for The Bodyguard) is 12/1 to enjoy his martini shaken not stirred. | Getty Images