Hardy leads next James Bond frontrunners
Venom star Tom Hardy and Bridgerton actor Rege-Jean Page continue to lead the pace as contenders to be the next James Bond.
London’s Royal Albert Hall will host the world premiere of No Time To Die on Tuesday, September 28, with the film set to roll out nationwide from September 30.
And with that the curtain will come down on Daniel Craig’s time as the famous super spy, 15 years and five films after his maiden outing in 2006’s Casino Royale; officially the longest serving actor in the role.
But as one door closes, another one opens, and Revenant and Venom star Hardy is the lead choice to be the next Bond at 5/2.
The Hammersmith-born 43-year-old has starred in such films as Star Trek: Nemesis, Warrior, The Revenant, Mad Max: Fury Road, Legend, Inception, The Dark Knight Rises, Dunkirk, and Venom, but could James Bond be added to his CV?
“Tom Hardy has been our favourite for sometime and he remains the obvious choice for a like-for-like Daniel Craig replacement,” said William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams. “That said if they want to shake up the franchise then they could do a lot worse than Rege-Jean Page and that is where my money is going.”
Bridgerton’s dashing Duke of Hastings, Rege-Jean Page, has long been the internet’s choice to land the role amid news that he will star alongside Bond girl Ana de Armas in the Gray Man. This, as well as the news that Page will feature in Dungeons and Dragons alongside Chris Pine and Hugh Grant, show demand is high for the leading man’s services.
Page is joint second favourite at 3/1, alongside James Norton, whose Hollywood credentials have continued to grow. From Grantchester to Happy Valley, his CV is strong, and the 36-year-old Brit really raised the stakes with his turn as Alex Goodman in crime drama McMafia.
Welsh actor Luke Evans, who has made no bones about his willingness to take up the coveted role, continues to attract interest at 6/1. Completing the top five is London-born Luther star Idris Elba, along with Superman Henry Cavill (both 8/1).
Craig recently spoke out against the idea of having a female James Bond, but after 70 years and six male leads, would it be creatively rejuvenating to see what a female actor would bring to the role? And would it be enough to redress Hollywood’s diversity balance?
“In 2015 we offered 1000/1 that the next 007 would be female, we are now just 11/2,” said Adams. “Clearly our customers now think it is a real possibility.”
William Hill is offering odds of 11/2 for a female James Bond in the next movie, with star of BBC underwater thriller Vigil Suranne Jones (9/1) and 007 Lashana Lynch (10/1) to lead a female fronted spy thriller.
To view the full market from William Hill ahead of the UK release of No Time To Die visit:
https://sports.williamhill.com/betti...r-daniel-craig