Next James Bond: Marvel star's odds slashed in half overtaking Tom Hardy in new 007 race

We’re over halfway through the 60th anniversary year of the James Bond film franchise and there’s still no news on who will replace Daniel Craig as 007. Nevertheless, the bookies’ odds continue to have their movements and the latest shake-up has seen a Marvel star’s chances halved.

According to Coral, Eternals MCU star Richard Madden has seen his odds slashed from 7-1 to 7-2.

A spokesman for the bookies said: “There has been strong support for Richard Madden in our next James Bond betting over the last 24 hours. Not only have his odds been slashed in half, he is now the second favourite behind Henry Cavill.”

If cast, the 36-year-old Bodyguard actor would be the first Scot in the role since the original 007, Sir Sean Connery.

Madden’s movement in the next Bond race has seen him leapfrog over other favourites like Tom Hardy and Regé-Jean Page, who are both on 4-1.

Just ahead of the Marvel actor is Superman star Henry Cavill on 2-1. The latter famously lost out to Daniel Craig in the Casino Royale auditions back in 2005.

He’s never been shy about how he’d love to take up the Licence To Kill next, although perhaps he’s too famous now.

After all, Cavill has starred in a number of different spy films already, playing a CIA agent in The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

READ MORE: James Bond: Pierce Brosnan was left ‘heartbroken’ after 007 audition

Cavill was also the main villain opposite Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible – Fallout and is the main agent in Kingsman director Matthew Vaughn’s upcoming Argylle movie.

Of course, it’s always possible he could be cast as a Bond villain in a sort of nega-007 role.

Bond producer Barbara Broccoli has said that production on the 007 reboot won’t begin for at least two years, so take these odds with a pinch of salt, but you never know…

source: express.co.uk