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 now seems that this was far from 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.
Here are the latest 15 actors currently tipped to pull on 007’s tuxedo.
13. Tom Hardy - 16/1
Also priced at 16/1, 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
14. Paul Mescal - 18/1
There have been few more talked about actors in the last few years than Ireland's Paul Mescal, from breakout television show 'Normal People' and an Oscar-nominated performance in 'Aftersun', to starring in one of this year's biggest blockbusters, 'Gladiator 2'. He's also been confirmed to play Paul McCartney in a new film about The Beatles. He shot up to second favourite a few months ago, but his odds have now cooled to 18/1, possibly because it's questionable as to whether he would accept the role given his current success. | AFP via Getty Images
15. Aiden Turner - 18/1
Completing our list is another actor who has a 18/1 chance of playing 007 - Aidan Turner. The 'Poldark' star has experience of huge film productions - having played dwarf Kíli in Peter Jackson’s 'The Hobbit' trilogy. | Getty Images