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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 - as well as Daniel Craig.
In 2024 it was reported that Kickass star Aaron Taylor-Johnson had accepted the job, but the news was never confirmed.
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.
But now a director has been hired, with Canadian filmmaker Denis Villeneuve taking on the next film in the seies, following the success of his Dune franchaise.
It can surely now just be a matter of time before we hear who will be his lead actor.
Here are the latest 11 actors now tipped by the bookies to pull on 007’s tuxedo.
5. Henry Cavill - 8/1
'Superman' and 'The Witcher' star Henry Cavill had been favourite to be the next Bond when Daniel Craig hung up his tux but had seen his odds slip. He's still in the hunt though, with odds of 8/1. He's no stranger to playing iconic British characters - he portrays Sherlock Holmes in the 'Enola Holmes' films. | Getty Images
6. James Norton - 9/1
Another actor who has been long been tipped to play Bond is James Norton, but his odds have drifted out to 9/1 in recent months. The 'Happy Valley' and 'Grantchester' actor certainly looked comfortable in a tux in the BBC's 'McMafia series'. | Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images f
7. Jack Lowden - 10/1
Equally at home on the stage or on the screen, Scot Jack Lowden first found fame in 2016 BBC miniseries of 'War & Peace' and has since starred in the likes of 'Dunkirk' and 'Mary Queen of Scots'. He's reached his biggest audience to date starring opposite Gary Oldman in acclaimed spy drama 'Slow Horses'. He's priced at 10/1 to be the first Scottish James Bond since Sean Connery. | AFP via Getty Images
8. Callum Turner - 16/1
Callum Turner is a 16/1 shot to follow up his supporting part in the 'Fantastic Beasts' franchaise with a lead role in one of the world's most famous film series. He recently played John 'Bucky' Egan in the miniseries 'Masters of the Air'. | Getty Images