Next James Bond: Hollywood actor becomes new frontrunner for 007 role amid chaos around franchise’s future
Daniel Craig’s successor in the role of James Bond could be one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actors of the moment, according to new data.
Speculation has been rife as to who the next 007 would be ever since Craig announced his exit prior to No Time to Die’s theatrical release with a number of big names being touted for the part.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson has long been tipped as the favourite for the role while other stars such as Paul Mescal, James Norton, Theo James, and several others have also been dragged into the conversation.
However, as of late, the entire subject of who will play Bond has taken a backseat thanks to reports of a feud between long-serving boss Barbara Broccoli and her new collaborators at Amazon.
According to a bombshell Wall Street Journal report, Broccoli is believed to have privately dismissed Amazon executives as “f***ing idiots” whilst expressing deep mistrust of the streaming giant’s approach to the iconic spy series.
The relationship between the two parties has reportedly hit such a low that Bond 26 currently has no script, no story and no lead actor – but that hasn’t stopped bookmakers offering prices on potential candidates, and it’s no longer Taylor-Johnson at the helm of the market.
Instead, in no small part thanks to an article published in The Hollywood Reporter, it’s now Challengers star Josh O’Connor who’s emerged as the frontrunner to lead Bond 26.
Experts at Gambling.com delivered the new data, with a spokesperson explaining: “The 34-year-old from Southampton was recently linked with the role of Bond by The Hollywood Reporter which predicted the Challengers actor would be the next Bond to be announced in its list of ‘educated guesses’ for 2025.
“Josh O’Connor was not even in the conversation at the start of December, but a casual tip from a media brand specialising in the entertainment industry means he is the 8/11 favourite.”
O’Connor’s surge to the top of the markets also caused a shift elsewhere: “Aaron Taylor-Johnson is the 13/8 second favourite to wear the famous tuxedo, but he now faces stiff competition from O’Connor and his co-star in his latest film.
“Whether Broccoli and (Michael) Wilson decide to go down a different route remains to be seen, but if they stick with a winning formula then Theo James looks to be in the frame at 11/2.
“Paul Mescal burst onto our screens as Connell in a TV adaptation of Sally Rooney’s best-seller Normal People. Mescal bulked up for his role as Lucius Verus in Ridley Scott’s star-studded sequel Gladiator II which hit cinema screens in November.
“Gaining 18lbs of muscle on a diet of sweet potato and ground beef will certainly be an advantage, but the feeling remains he is perhaps too indie for such a mainstream role. UK bookmakers disagree though and they make him 11/2 to slip into an Aston Martin and go save the world.”
O’Connor’s latest roles include Challengers, Lee, and La Chimera but he’s arguably best known for portraying a young Prince Charles in Netflix drama, The Crown.
His CV also boasts roles in ITV’s The Durrells and the BBC mini series adaptation of Les Miserables.
News of O’Connor’s spot as the frontrunner for the Bond role comes just weeks after other bookmakers priced Mescal as the favourite to don the famous tuxedo.
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Spokesman for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said of the market shift back in December: “Paul Mescal whipped up a storm with his performance in Ridley Scott’s recent release Gladiator II, and the Irishman might have another starring role on the way, as he’s also taken our next James Bond market by storm.
“For well over a year, Aaron Taylor-Johnson has topped our market to be next to play the world’s most famous secret agent but that’s all changed with Mescal shortening into 6/4 favourite from 7/1 in the space of the last 24 hours.”
At the time of writing, there’s still no word on who will replace Craig as the franchise’s leading man.
All odds accurate at the time of writing.