We’ll avoid any spoilers for the benefit of the half dozen people on the planet who have still to watch No Time to Die. But it’s not giving too much away to say that the movie ends with the same caption as those that preceded it – Bond will be back. Of course, as was the case after A View to a Kill, Licence to Kill and Die Another Day, he’ll be a little different. Daniel Craig’s tenure as 007 has come to an end and the rumor mill is going at full speed over his replacement.
To be fair, speculation has been raging since Craig announced this would be his swan song as Bond almost three years ago. But now he has made his final curtain call, all attention is focused on his replacement. Bond and gambling have always gone hand in hand, so we shouldn’t be surprised that bookmakers are talking of little else. Just for a moment, forget your baccarat, and save your Casino Royale video slots bonuses for another day. Who’s your money on for the next James Bond?
Rege-Jean Page
The bookmakers’ favorite at 7/2 odds, Page shot to stardom via the Netflix period drama Bridgerton, in which he played the Duke of Hastings. He is a confirmed absentee from season 2, which has only fueled speculation that he’s got a more important role in the pipeline. Having just turned 34, Page has time on his side and could easily make the Bond role his own for the next 15 years or more.
Aidan Turner
The Irish actor was a big hit in Poldark and certainly has the looks to play 007. His name came up four years ago, when he told reporters he would “have a look at” the Bond role when it became vacant. Turner had slipped down in the reckoning since, but it could be that the bookmakers know something we don’t as they recently slashed his odds to 6/1.
Tom Hardy
Also at 6/1, this time last year, Hardy was favorite with the bookies to take over the Walther PPK and the Aston Martin. With a whole host of Hollywood blockbusters behind him, he’s certainly got the screen presence to pull it off. The main difference between then and now is he’s a year older. At 44, he’d be good for two or three bond appearances at most. Still, given that he’s hinted in the past that he would not wish to be typecast by a single role, that might just suit him all the better.
Richard Madden
An outside shot at 9/1, but Richard Madden makes a lot of sense. He’s another actor who could take Bond well into the 2030s, and with Game of Thrones on his resume, he would appeal to the all-important Gen-Z demographic. Some say he is too young, but it’s worth noting that Bond 26 is probably about two years away, by which time Madden will be 37 – the same age Craig was when Casino Royale hit the big screen.
Aidan Turner 
Richard Madden 
