James Bond race has TWO actors neck and neck for role – who do you want as 007

2023-03-23

James Bond is firmly back in the spotlight after rumours Daisy May Cooper could have a starring role in the new film – but who exactly will step into the shoes of 007?

After Daniel Craig ended his 15-year stint as the world's most famous 'secret' agent, producers have been hunting high and low for that perfect replacement to leave us shaken and stirred.

An announcement is expected later this year, but Rocketman star Taron Egerton – who has been linked to the 007 role – recently said he believes sibling bosses Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have 'already got someone' for the title role.

But in time-honoured fashion, the camp is remaining as tight-lipped as Blofeld himself.

Not to be perturbed, the Online Betting Guide (OLBG) has revealed the latest James Bond betting odds, with Henry Cavill and Aaron Taylor-Johnson the 2/1 joint favourites to replace Craig, who bowed out in No Time To Die in 2021.

Thirty-two-year-old Aaron is best known for playing the title character in Kick-Ass (2010), while of course everyone knows Henry as Superman.

The duo have switched around at the top of the odds in the past few months, with both being the outright favourite at some point.

But now the betting market can’t separate the pair, with both given a 33.3 per cent chance of being the next Bond.

If you can’t see the poll, click here

Heading up the chasing pack is Happy Valley star James Norton at 5/2.

Norton has been a popular figure in British television already this year, with bookies thinking it likely film bosses will see him as a great fit to play the iconic British secret agent.

There's also Regé-Jean Page with an 11.1 per cent chance of stepping onto 007's shoes.

The actor previously admitted to US talk show host Jimmy Fallon that he was pleased about the Bond rumours, calling it a 'merit badge' for British actors.

Idris Elba has been linked to the franchise for a long time now, and he's still a big market mover.

The actor has now come back into 8/1 to be the next Bond after drifting out to 16/1 last month.

The release of Luther: The Fallen Sun has boosted his odds, with fans speculating there are links between the film and the 007 franchise.

Other stars linked to the role are Marvel's Captain America himself, Chris Evans, Game of Thrones' Richard Madden, Alien Covenant's Michael Fassbender, Peaky Blinders' Cillian Murphy and Batman's Robert Pattinson.

Since its debut in 1962 with Dr No, the 007 franchise has seen seven actors play James Bond, including Sean Connery, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig.

With a combined gross of over £5.7 billion to date, the Bond franchise is the fifth-highest-grossing film series of all time.

James Bond race has TWO actors neck and neck for role – who do you want as 007

Top contenders for James Bond

Aaron Taylor-Johnson (2/1)

Henry Cavill (2/1)

James Norton (5/2)

Tom Hardy (6/1)

Rege-Jean Page (8/1)

Idris Elba (8/1)

Chiwetel Ejiofor (12/1)

Aidan Turner (14-1)