Daniel Craig has played Bond in four films since 2006 – ‘Casino Royale’, ‘Quantum Of Solace’, ‘Skyfall’ and ‘Spectre’. Following Daniel Craig’s confirmation that he will be playing the role one last time, the question of who will succeed him as 007 is still a hot topic.
After years of support for Idris Elba as the new OO7, it now looks like a two-man race between two very successful actors. Tom Hardy and James Norton are fighting it out, with Idris Elba and Tom Hiddleston also as contenders.
Tom Hardy has overtaken James Norton as the bookies’ favourite. Following Sunday’s season finale of the 10-episode BBC drama ‘McMafia’ –which starred James Norton as a hedge fund manager drawn into the world of organised crime – Norton’s odds have fallen from 2/1 to 5/2, while Hardy’s have risen from 3/1 to 9/4, according to Betway. Idris Elba and Tom Hiddleston are tied with odds of 6/1, while Poldark’s Aidan Turner’s odds sit at 7/1.
Betway’s media relations lead, Alan Alger, said: “Future Bonds are being judged on their current performances and that’s left ‘McMafia’ star James Norton very unpopular in the betting over the past 24 hours. McMafia’s finale has been dubbed ‘anticlimactic’ by a host of critics and with Norton at the forefront we’ve pushed him out to 5/2 from 2/1. The money has come back in for Tom Hardy since Sunday night and he’s now a big fancy to be named the next 007 at just 9/4.”
In January, Harry Styles was also linked to the Bond saga after the former One Direction star received the support from a James Bond editor. Lee Smith said: “Harry could do it. If they wanted a younger Bond then why not? He has got it…he can go all the way. He is an exceptional talent and a complete natural on camera.”
Bond untitled 25th film is set for release in November 2019.
> Mar Martínez
