29 April 2023 , 03:03
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James Bond fans are convinced they have identified the next star that will take over the role after watching some subtle promotional videos.
It has been four years since Daniel Craig announced he would be retiring from the role of the suave spy - which he had played since 2006.
And ever since, speculation has been rife over exactly who would take on the role in the inevitable twenty-sixth film in the series.
Now thanks to the release and promotion of new Amazon spy series Citadel, film fans are convinced they have found their next Bond.
The new spy-thriller sees Bodyguard and Marvel actor Richard Madden take a lead role as amnesiac Mason Kane who works for the mysterious global Citadel spy network.
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James Bond fans are convinced the new 007 has been secretly unveiled (Francois Duhamel / Avalon)He co-stars alongside Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who plays fellow spy Nadia Sinh, and American actor Stanley Tucci who plays their handler Bernard Orlick.
Richard and Stanley have appeared in a new promotional video via Stanley's Instagram account in support of the new series which sees them sipping martini’s - the classic cocktail that is the drink of choice for Bond.
Now fans think this is a subtle announcement that 36-year-old Richard has landed the coveted film role.
One fan reacting online wrote: "I don't know what drinks look like, but if that's Richard Madden drinking a Martini that's been shaken, not stirred……imma hit the roof with excitement."
While another wrote: "There you go, here's the new James Bond' and a third asked: 'Is that the new James Bond?'" Amazon, who made Citadel, are also now owners of the Bond franchise after buying the film studio MGM in a huge $8.5 billion (£6.7 billion) deal.
The company is branching out with the Bond franchise to create spin-off content - including a new gameshow that is to be fronted by Succession actor Brian Cox.
The British actor is set to appear as “The Controller” in Amazon’s 007’s Road to a Million, which will show contestants competing to win up to £1million.
Richard Madden is starring in big budget Amazon Prime spy series Citadel (Courtesy of Prime)Filmed in Bond locations from the Scottish Highlands to Venice and Jamaica, it will be a “true test of intelligence, endurance, and heroism”.
Brian will reportedly be lurking “in the shadows… watching and controlling everything.”
Meanwhile, odds at the bookies have suggested that Happy Valley actor James Norton could be the one to pick up the role of 007 on the big screen with 9-4 odds.
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Coral's John Hill explained last week: "We have seen a strong wave of support behind James Norton in our next James Bond betting and as a result, he is the new favourite to replace Daniel Craig as 007.”
Brian Cox is set to star in a new James Bond themed game show (Getty Images)The latest announcement comes just weeks after Aaron Taylor Johnson was tied with Henry Cavil to take on the role.
However, Aaron is now in second place to take the role with odds of 5-2 from the betting firm - and Henry’s odds stand at 11-4.