Over the weekend, we reported that the ever-changing Bond odds had pushed fan favourites Henry Cavill and Tom Hardy back as a newcomer to the race took over. That didn’t last long, though, as Hardy, the legendary British actor, has just come back in a big way in an effort to replace Daniel Craig as James Bond. And this could be his final chance to stake his claim for the role before Bond bosses make the official announcement in the coming months.
Ladbrokes have reported a “flurry” of bets on Hardy have drastically altered the bets over the past few days.
Hardy has been a major fan-favourite in the Bond odds ever since Craig quit the role following No Time To Die (which you can watch for free on Prime Video now) – and it’s easy to see why. Hardy has made a name for himself as a British hardman who moonlights as a capable actor. After starring in Legend as the Kray Twins, he took on the antihero Venom. He also fought for Queen and country in Dunkirk from Christopher Nolan, with whom he worked on the Batman trilogy.
On top of that, he is extremely keen to join the James Bond universe. He was previously asked about whether he’d want to join the series, and he coyly responded: “You know, there’s a saying amongst us in the fraternity of acting, and in the fellowship of my peer group, that if you talk about it you’re automatically out of the race. So I can’t possibly comment on that one! If I mention it, it’s gone.”
With that in mind, Hardy’s odds have just been slashed from 10/1 to 7/1 – a marked jump in just a few days.
Ladbrokes’ Alex Apati said of Hardy’s chances: “Tom Hardy has been the subject of a flurry of Bond bets of late, and it’s led to him joining the frontrunners in the race to replace Daniel Craig.”
These new exceptional odds place Hardy in fourth place in the ongoing Bond odds, ahead of Bridgerton heartthrob Regé-Jean Page and The Gold star Jack Lowden.
Although Hardy now has better odds than ever, he is not guaranteed the role just yet. He still has some major competition ahead of him.
Just ahead of Hardy in the Bond odds is Aaron Taylor-Johnson with 11/4. He recently exploded in popularity after rumours surfaced suggesting he had already done some screen tests for the next 007 movie with Bond bosses.
Norton’s place at the top of the Bond odds gives him a great bargaining tool if the Bond bosses do come knocking.
However, Cavill’s swift move up the Bond odds could mean he’s going to overtake Norton’s lead.
Alex Apati added: “It looked like Aaron Taylor-Johnson and James Norton were beginning to run away with things in the Bond betting, but Henry Cavill’s odds have been drastically slashed this week, and he could well be favourite for the role in the next few days.”
Watch No Time To Die on Prime Video now.