Now, as Richard Madden continues to sit at the top of the betting as the favourite to be his successor, it seems another name has entered the fold. With SkyBet, someone who hadn’t previously been part of the discussion has been added to the list – and with quite appealing odds. So could he be a big threat for the next James Bond?
It’s Max Irons, who is now on 16/1 with the firm – odds he shares with Cillian Murphy and Henry Cavill.
For comparison, that puts him marginally behind former favourite James Norton, who is currently on 14/1.
Madden remains at the top of the list on 7/4, followed by Tom Hardy on 13/2 and Idris Elba on 6/1.
Ewan McGregor (25/1), Michael Fassbender (33/1) and Jack Huston (33/1) and Aidan Turner (50/1) are all long shots at this point.
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So who is Irons? The 33-year-old Brit is the son of acting royalty Jeremy Irons and Sinéad Cusack.
His previous credits include the likes of Red Riding Hood (2011), The White Queen (2013), The Host (2013) and The Riot Club (2014).
So what’s sparked the sudden interest in him as a potential 007?
It’s hard to say, but he was earlier this year seen in the TV series Condor, in which he plays a CIA analyst whose idealism is tested when he stumbles upon an intricate sinister plot that puts millions of lives at risk.
The show, which aired on US TV network Audience, picked up good reviews and has been renewed for a second season.
Also of late, Irons appeared alongside Margot Robbie in the film Terminal, in which he played Alfred.
For now, Craig’s final outing as Bond goes into production in the New Year, ahead of a planned release on Valentine’s Day 2020.
Cary Joji Fukunaga will direct, taking over from Danny Boyle.