15 March 2023 , 11:32
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There is ongoing speculation about who will replace Daniel Craig as James Bond, with a new frontrunner said to have emerged in the latest odds over the opportunity.
Daniel, 55, played the iconic character - created by late author Ian Fleming - in five instalments in the film franchise from Casino Royale (2006) until No Time to Die (2021).
It was however announced that the latter would be his final appearance in the role, with there having since been speculation over who will be the actor's replacement.
The likes of Idris Elba, 50, Henry Cavill, 39, and Tom Hardy, 45, have been mentioned by fans, but a new frontrunner is now said to have emerged in the latest betting odds.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson is said to be the bookies favourite to be the next James Bond (Getty Images for Campari)
There's been speculation over who will replace Daniel Craig in the role for some time (Samir Hussein/WireImage)According to bookies Coral, actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson, 32, now appears to be the favourite to replace Daniel following his departure from the role two years ago.
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Coral's John Hill said: "[Aaron] is the name everybody is backing to replace [Daniel] as the next James Bond. He is now odds-on for that role for the first time since [we] opened betting on this market several years ago."
Aaron is known for films like Kick-Ass (2010) and Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015). More recently, he's appeared in projects such as Tenet (2020) and Bullet Train (2022).
Among those who have been rumoured for the role is Tom Hardy (Getty Images)
Henry Cavill has also been named in the speculation (Getty Images for Netflix)Coral states that he has now surpassed the likes of Idris, Henry and Tom in the latest odds to play James Bond. Aaron is said to have odds of 4-5, from 9-4 previously.
James Norton, 37, follows with 3-1, whilst Henry and Regé-Jean Page, 34, have 7-2 and 4-1 odds respectively. Tom and Idris follow behind with 5-1 and 6-1 odds respectively.
It was reported earlier this year that Aaron had already met with producers. His rumoured meeting with co-producer Barbara Broccoli, 62, was said to have gone "very well".
The actor even reportedly filmed a screen test at Pinewood Studios last year. A source told the Sun in November that he had become "one of the frontrunners" for James Bond.
Idris Elba has seemingly ruled himself out of the running (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Franchise co-producer Barbara Broccoli has suggested that being British is a 'key' requirement for the next actor (Dave Benett/Getty Images for WFTV Awards)Aaron fits the rumoured casting requirements, including that producers may want someone under 40. This could rule out Idris, Tom and Henry, who turns 40 this year.
Idris has already suggested that he won't take over the role from Daniel, with him having seemingly teased over the speculation last month : "I'm not going to be that guy".
Barbara - who co-owns Eon Productions, which is the production company behind the franchise - has previously suggested that being British is the "key" requirement.
She said: "We want the actor to be British. [That's] the key thing. And British, as we know, can be many, many things." And she has suggested the character "will be a man".
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