James Bond fans are desperate to find out who will take over from Daniel Craig as 007 after No Time To Die, but the decision is still being kept tightly under wraps. However, in an unexpected turn of events, Game of Thrones’ Emilia Clarke is still looking good for it, with her odds holding steady with a 20-1 shot, according to bookies.
Could the fact Clarke has managed to maintain her place among the frontrunners for 007 indicate a bigger demand for a female Bond than was previously known?
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes told Express.co.uk: “Generally those odds tend to drift after a couple of days whenever anyone says something like they want to be the first female Bond.”
It’s been almost three weeks since Clarke threw her hat in the ring for the next 007.
“Punters are seemingly convinced if it is to be a female replacing Daniel Craig then she’ll be the one!” Apati added.
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In an interview with Empire Magazine, the Game of Thrones favourite was asked if she fancied the job as Bond, gushing: “Yeah! Of course! Hell to the yeah!
“James Bond is one of those franchises where it’s never not cool. You could literally make the naffest James Bond in the world and it would still be cool,” she praised.
It looks like Bond fans have latched on to the idea as bets continue to flood in on Clarke taking over from Craig when he steps down next year.
The actor, who has held the title role in the beloved franchise for 14 years, recently confirmed No Time To Die will be his last film as 007.
During an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, he reaffirmed his time is over, saying: “Yes, it’s done.”
His assertion comes after speculation Bond 25 might not, in fact, be his last, after he said “maybe” to being done with the part.
Back in April, he told one outlet: “Yeah, no it is,” telling another: “Yes, it’s my last one. Apparently it is.”
Having cleared up the fact No Time To Die will be Craig’s farewell to Bond, fans can now turn their attention to who could be next in line.
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Currently, Outlander star Sam Heughan is still first in line with bookies, priced at 5-2.
Hot on his heels are James Norton, Richard Madden and Tom Hiddleston, all on 5-1, who have been consistent frontrunners for months.
Last week, Avengers actor Chris Hemsworth made a surprise entrance, being installed at 10-1 having previously been nowhere to be seen.
When it comes to the women, Clarke is still leading the pack, but Emily Blunt and Olivia Colman are also on the list (albeit as outsiders) at 66-1.
No Time To Die will begin with Bond retired from active service and enjoying the quiet life in Jamaica.
Of course, this doesn’t last long, as his old pal Felix Leiter (played by Jeffrey Wright) soon shows up to ask for his help rescuing a kidnapped scientist.
The mission leads Bond on the trail of a mysterious villain armed with a dangerous new technology.
James Bond: No Time To Die will be released in cinemas April 3 2020.