James Bond fans can’t wait to find out who will replace Daniel Craig as the new 007 when he departs after No Time To Die. While the rumour mill has been going into overdrive as the upcoming movie approaches, bosses are still keeping any official announcement — or hint — under wraps but this hasn’t stopped punters placing bets on who they think will snag the job though.
While Happy Valley actor James Norton is still bookies’ favourite to take the helm from Craig, one of his competitors is closing in on him.
Game of Thrones star Richard Madden, who previously shot to the top of the list thanks to his starring role as Sergeant David Budd in BBC One’s Bodyguard, is giving Norton a run for his money this week.
Ladbrokes revealed Madden’s odds have shortened from 5-1 to 4-1 in the past 24 hours, hot on the heels of Norton at 2-1.
Joint third in the race for the new Bond are Sam Heughan and Tom Hiddleston, priced at 5-1.
READ MORE: JAMES BOND ODDS HALVED ON AIDAN TURNER REPLACING DANIEL CRAIG
Meanwhile, War & Peace star Jack Lowden is priced at 6-1, Tom Hardy at 8-1, Idris Elba at 10-1, Chris Hemsworth and Michael Fassbender at 12-1.
One big mover in the past week is Poldark actor Aidan Turner, whose odds have halved from 16-1 to just 8-1.
Following his NTAs win for Peaky Blinders, Cillian Murphy has also crept back up the list.
His odds have been cut from 22-1 to 16-1, putting him just outside the top 10.
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Instead of the action-packed life of an MI6 agent, he’ll be enjoying some peace and quiet in Jamaica.
It doesn’t last long, however, after his old pal Felix Leiter (played by Jeffrey Wright) shows up to ask for his help rescuing a kidnapped scientist.
The mission ropes Bond back in and leads him on the hunt for a mysterious villain, Safin (Rami Malek), who is armed with a dangerous new technology.
The first trailer, which dropped last month, gave Bond fans a glimpse of what’s ahead, including the first good look at Safin.
The villain could be seen stalking through a snowy landscape, clutching a gun and wearing a broken mask which half-obscured his severely scarred face.
Later, he came face-to-face with Bond, saying: “James Bond. License to kill. History of violence. I could be speaking to my own reflection.
“Mine will survive long after I’ve gone,” he added, to which Bond replied with a warning: “History isn’t kind to men who play God.”
James Bond: No Time To Die is released in UK cinemas April 3.