James Bond role tipped for rising star as Aaron Taylor-Johnson odds dip

01 May 2023 , 11:25

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Many actors have been tipped to take on the iconic role of James Bond (Image: Getty Images)

A new favourite has taken the lead in the race to play the next James Bond - following Daniel Craig stepping down in his last film No Time To Die.

Ever since Craig has hung up his tuxedo, the hunt has been on to find the next actor to fill in 007's shoes.

Having been played by Daniel Craig since 2006, a wide range of British actors have been rumoured to be taking on the role.

The next installment is tipped to hit the big screen as soon as 2025, with stars like Aaron Taylor-Johnson being the bookies' favourite.

However, the Bullet Train star, 32, has been knocked off the top spot by a rising actor.

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Paapa Essiedu is tipped to be the next James Bond (WireImage)

The actor hasn't had a major film role before (Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Paapa Essiedu, 32, is now 2-1 to be cast as the next James Bond, according to Ladbrokes.

James Bond would be Paapa's first major movie role as the 32-year-old BAFTA TV nominee is known for TV series Gangs of London and I May Destroy You and is set to star in Black Mirror season 6 this summer.

Paapa has appeared on the silver screen in a small role as a young policeman on Kenneth Branagh’s Murder on the Orient Express.

Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: "The name could well be Eddiedu... Paapa Essiedu, if the latest odds are anything to go by. It's by far the biggest Bond betting move of the year."

Taylor-Johnson is now on 3-1 alongside Happy Valley ’s James Norton.

Behind them are Henry Cavill on 4-1, Tom Hardy on 7-1, Regé-Jean Page on 9-1 and Richard Madden on 10-1.

Henry Cavill was top to play 007 (FilmMagic)

Aaron Taylor-Johnson has also been a bookies' favourite (WireImage)

Favourites Aaron Taylor Johnson and Henry Cavil have been tipped to take on the role for the past few weeks, with their odds constantly changing.

The role may not be as desired as it seems as Daniel Craig hinted he resented taking on the iconic character.

Back in 2015, while promoting Spectre, and asked by the Guardian if her could imagine reprising the role, he declared. “Now? I’d rather … slash my wrists,.

“No, not at the moment. Not at all. That’s fine. I’m over it at the moment. We’re done. All I want to do is move on.”

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Daniel announced in 2019 that No Time To Die would be his last appearance as Bond.

Franchise bosses are taking their time to find a fitting replacement, wit the ‘race’ dragging on for so long early favourite Idris Elba, 50, has since ruled himself out - declaring last year that he is “too old” to play the spy.

Mia O'Hare