Next James Bond Odds: Aaron Taylor-Johnson Favourite To Don The Tuxedo Next
Daire Walsh
Speculation is intensifying as to who will take over from Daniel Craig in the iconic role of British spy James Bond.
Betting sites are once again offering odds on the most likely candidates for one of the most coveted gigs in the film industry.
Back in 1962, Scotland’s Sean Connery became the first actor to play the Ian Fleming creation on the silver screen in Dr No.
American native Barry Nelson (who became known in later years for a small role in Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining) previously played the character in a TV adaptation of Casino Royale that featured in an episode of the anthology series Climax!
However, it was certainly Connery who made the role famous from a cinematic perspective.
Bond’s Order Of Succession
The Edinburgh man went on to make four more appearances in the role, before former Australian model George Lazenby assumed spy duties for 1969’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
Connery subsequently returned to the franchise two years later in Diamonds Are Forever and also showed up in the unofficial entry, Never Say Never Again, in the 1980s.
Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan also had stints as Bond in advance of Daniel Craig’s debut as 007 in 2006’s Casino Royale.
This was the first of five films Craig made in the series and given how successful he has proven to be from a critical and commercial point of view, producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli are thinking carefully before choosing the next actor to step into the Bond breach.
Taylor-Johnson Strongly Linked With Role
Yet if reports are to be believed, then it is Buckinghamshire native Aaron Taylor-Johnson who is now the frontrunner to assume Craig’s mantle with specials betting sites.
In recent days, Matthew Belloni from the website Puck News claimed that Taylor-Johnson had a sit down with Broccoli and their meeting went well.
Nothing is set in stone at the moment of course – Broccoli previously suggested the next Bond film won’t go into production until 2024 – but news of Taylor-Johnson being in the reckoning as the new series lead has piqued the interest of several UK bookmakers.
Whereas he was previously viewed as an outside bet, Taylor-Johnson is now rated as a 5/4 to take over as Bond.
While it might seem like a left field option when you consider there were seemingly several others ahead of him in the pecking order, Taylor-Johnson does tick a lot of the boxes for Wilson and Broccoli.
Given the desire to tie down an actor to a multi-picture deal, the producing duo have their eye on someone under the age of 40.
Avengers Star Fits The Criteria
Taylor-Johnson only turned 32 last June and should he emerge as the star of choice in a crowded field, it isn’t difficult to imagine him having a long stretch in Bond’s famous tuxedo.
In addition to having youth on his side, Taylor-Johnson also has more than 20 years of experience under his belt and has displayed his acting chops on countless occasions.
Although he is yet to receive an Academy Award nomination, he did win a Golden Globe for his supporting performance in 2016’s Nocturnal Animals.
His portrayal of John Lennon in Nowhere Boy (2009) showed that he is more than capable of taking on a role of huge cultural significance, while he has also featured in box-office smashes like Godzilla and Avengers: Age of Ultron.
Interestingly, he was the onscreen son of former Bond Pierce Brosnan in the 2009 drama The Greatest.
While it wasn’t widely viewed upon its release, that could change if he follows in the Irishman’s footsteps by taking on the role of Bond.
Cavill Keeping Himself In The Frame; Page Also Under Consideration
Despite not being the bookies’ favourite as he was just a few short months ago, Henry Cavill still features heavily in the betting for the next James Bond.
BetUK rate the 39-year-old Man of Steel headliner at 2/1 for the role and he would certainly be a high-profile selection when you consider he has appeared in a number of franchises in recent years – including the similarly-themed Mission Impossible series.
Currently aged 34, Rege-Jean Page also remains firmly in the thoughts of bookmakers and the Bond producers have undoubtedly kept an eye on his career trajectory in both television and cinema.
Still best known for his leading role in the Netflix series Bridgerton – he was asked back for the second series, but turned it down to explore other career options – Page was also seen on the streaming platform in last year’s The Gray Man.
His role in this film was very much a supporting one with established stars Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans taking much of the limelight.
He will also play second fiddle to Chris Pine in the upcoming Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, but the part of Xenk the Paladin looks set to be a meaty one.
It is expected to make big money in multiplexes after its release date was pushed back on a number of occasions to ensure it opened at an ideal time in the cinematic calendar, and it is likely to give a good indication of Page’s movie star credentials.
Norton, Hardy And Ejiofor Also Featuring In Betting
Page is currently rated at 13/2 with Unibet to be the new Bond, while Londoner James Norton is also in with a chance of landing the role.
Though he is older than both Taylor-Johnson and Page, Norton is still only 37 and will believe he is capable of carrying the franchise for many years to come.
Elsewhere, Tom Hardy – who acted opposite a pre-Bond Daniel Craig in 2004’s Layer Cake – is valued at 9/1 with Paddy Power to be granted 00 status.
The aforementioned Page is the most likely to create history and become the first black actor to play Bond, but Chiwetel Ejiofor (born in England to Nigerian parents) isn’t to be completely discounted with odds on his candidacy rated at 14/1 with betting apps.