For nearly three years, film fans have feverishly speculated over who might replace Daniel Craig as the next James Bond – and now we may have another clue as to the answer.
That’s because bookies have suspended betting.
Craig, 56, exited the franchise when he handed in his licence to kill in 2021 after the release of No Time to Die, his fifth movie as the iconic spy.
Since then, we’ve seen all sorts of contenders mentioned for the part, from Idris Elba (who removed himself from the race), previous second-place Henry Cavill and James Norton to newer Netflix breakthrough star possibles like Bridgerton’s Jonathan Bailey, The Gentlemen’s Theo James and Leo Woodall, who played Dexter in emotional mini-series One Day.
However, for several months now, one British actor has been considered the front-runner, with rumours running rampant when reports emerged that he’d filmed the famous gun barrel sequence that appears at the start of every Bond movie, as part of an audition.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson, 34, was then later said to have been offered the role of a lifetime earlier this year, although this report was later slapped down.
The upcoming Kraven the Hunter actor, who has brushed off direct questioning about the part himself, has been the bookies’ favourite for just as long.
In June, Taylor-Johnson was given odds of 4/5 by both Coral and betideas.com, putting him odds-on to be the next 007.
Now, Coral bookmakers has announced that it’s suspended betting on the next James Bond.
‘We have pulled the plug on our next James Bond betting following strong interest in Aaron Taylor-Johnson,’ said Coral’s John Hill.
‘We will let the dust settle for now, but it could be that that Daniel Craig’s replacement has been found.’
Ahead of betting being suspended, the actor was on odds of 1/2.
Taylor-Johnson recently wowed fans with a major hair transformation as he debuted a clean-shaven and shorter-haired look after years of rocking a beard.
He has been busy since May working on 28 Years Later, alongside Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes and Cillian Murphy, a sequel (or threequel, technically) coming over 20 years since the original.
Sharing a photo of himself with his long hair slicked back and unruly beard in place, the Bullet Train actor wore aviator shades, a loosely buttoned pink shirt and a couple of necklaces.
‘From one look…,’ he wrote across the picture, before uploading evidence of his transformation in the next photo.
‘…To another,’ he completed the sentence, revealing himself with shorn locks and beard free, posing for a selfie in an orange fitness set.
The star, whose breakout role came in 2008’s Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging, has sported his beard and longer hair look for so many years now, that fans could easily walk past him in the street and not actually spot the star.
It remains to be seen whether or not the prep has anything to do with portraying a certain suave spy.
Barbara Broccoli and her fellow producer and half-brother Michael G. Wilson are the powers-that-be who will anoint the new James Bond in due course for the next batch of Eon films – and so far, they’ve been silent.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Original James Bond favourite, 45, refuses to rule himself out of race for iconic role
MORE : Joe Biden wipes away tears in farewell speech
Share this with