The protagonist of series of novels and films, James Bond has turned into a major part of the British and global pop culture. This is why the choice of an actor to portray the iconic character has always been a topic to gain great publicity and attention.
Joining the franchise in 2005, Daniel Craig has been one of the longest-serving James Bond actors. However, word has been spread that Spectre (2015) was the last James Bond film with the 49-year-old British actor in the lead. It is rather difficult to say when first rumors about Craig quitting the franchise appeared. But bookmakers grabbed the opportunity as quickly as possible to begin accepting bets on the actor (or even actress) to replace him. The race is in full swing now.
Several bright representatives of the cinematic and television world have struck as particularly popular with bettors and it must be said that they have all proved that they can pull off diverse, sometimes very physically and emotionally strenuous, roles making the task look like child’s play. And it will be equally interesting to see any of them impersonating the enigmatic MI6 agent, known for his affinity for a good martini, expensive cars, designer suits, dangerous situations, and spontaneous flings with attractive ladies.
And here are bookmakers’ actual top picks for the next actor to portray James Bond in a brand new film, an official released date for which is yet to be announced.
Michael Fassbender
The German-born Irish actor is currently leading the James Bond race, according to odds with the major gambling operators. Fassbender has been a constant presence on the big screen over the past several years, making a statement about his artistic talent. The two-time Academy Award nominee starred in the 2015 Steve Jobs biopic, Steve McQueen’s Shame, Hunger, and 12 Years a Slave, and most recently in the Assassin’s Creed.
With his defined jaw and sturdy physique, it will not be hard to imagine him as the smug agent 007. Fassbender is bookies’ favorite for the role, priced at 11/4 with William Hill, Paddy Power, and Betway, at 5/2 with Ladbrokes and Boylesports, and at 9/4 with Coral and Marathonbet.
Tom Hardy
Tom Hardy’s filmography is so rich and diverse that there is no doubt that he will be able to pull off an excellent James Bond. Among many others, we have seen the London-born actor portray Britain’s most notorious prisoner Charles Bronson in the 2008 drama of the same name, infamous London East End gangster twins Ronnie and Reggie Kray in the 2015 biopic Legend, supervillain Bane in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises (2012), and Max Rockatansky in the 2015 blockbuster Mad Max: Fury Road. Most recently, Hardy starred in BBC One’s Taboo, an eight-part drama series that he himself produced.
The actor has been at the center of the James Bond rumors for quite some time now. And he recently fueled them by refusing to give an outright answer to a question about him playing the emblematic secret agent.
William Hill, Coral, and Betway have priced the actor at 11/4. He also has 5/2 odds with Paddy Power, Ladbrokes and Boylesprots, and 9/4 odds with Marathonbet.
Aidan Turner
Aidan Turner is another Irish actor to be among the front-runners in the James Bond race. The actor has actually been hailed as a favorite for the role for more than a year now. His piercing eyes and smart look will certainly work well, if deployed when portraying the legendary MI6 agent, and will turn him into an instant heartthrob for the next Bond girl and ladies around the world.
Turner is the star of BBC One drama series Poldark. We have also seen him as the quiet and very handsome vampire Hohn Mitchell in the 2008 Being Human series. The actor has hit the big screen as the charismatic dwarf Kili in The Hobbit film series.
At present, Aidan is priced at 4 with William Hill and Ladbrokes, at 2 with Paddy Power, and at 7/2 with Coral, Betway, and Marathonbet.
James Norton
The London-born actor is yet another representative of Britain’s finest talent to have often been mentioned in relation to the next James Bond race. Norton depicted Prince Andrei Nikolayevich Bolkonsky in BBC’s most recent adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s timeless novel War and Peace.
At the age of 31, the actor is a bit younger than Ian Fleming’s literary character who is in his mid- to late 30s in the James Bond books. However, if cast, Norton would not be the youngest James Bond in the film franchise’s history. George Lazenby was only 30 when he starred in the 1969’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
Norton is at 4/1 with William Hill, Ladbrokes, Betway, and Marathonbet, at 7/2 with Paddy Power and Boylesports, and at 5/2 with Coral.
Idris Elba
Rumors about the popular British actor depicting the iconic agent have been floating around for almost two years now. And Elba becoming the next James Bond has been a broadly welcomed idea. Back in 2015, the Luther star himself commented that it would be really great to be cast as the next agent 007. However, it seems he has grown rather tired of what the rumor mill has been producing, as he was less enthusiastic in recent interviews.
William Hill and Paddy Power price the actor at 7; he is also at 4 with Ladbrokes, at 5 with Betway, at 6 with Coral, and at 9/2 with Boylesports.
