Ever since Daniel Craig said that he would “rather slit my wrists” than do another Bond film, the race for the new 007 switched from a middle-distance run to a sprint. Big bets were placed on names like Tom Hiddleston, Idris Elba, Tom Hardy.... Though Craig hasn’t officially confirmed that he’s giving up on the guns and the girls, he’s signed up for a 20-episode series called Purity and the buzz is that he turned down a 65 million pound 007 deal from MGM.
As bets flew faster than rumours, two names emerged clear favourites to be the world’s most famous secret agent — Thor actor Hiddleston, and The Hobbit star Aidan Turner. But Skyfall and Spectre director Sam Mendes — who has confirmed his departure from the franchise — has promised that this is not a “public vote” and the new Bond will “not be what you expect”. Mid-May, bookmakers at Coral, a UK-based betting site, suspended betting on Bond after a large gamble slashed Hiddleston’s odds from 2-1 to 1-2. But recently Ladbrokes, another UK-based betting site, has slashed the odds on Turner 1-2, with Hiddleston a close second. We take a look at where the odds stand on 007 and who evens out.

 

AIDAN TURNER

 

He was Kili the dwarf in The Hobbit trilogy. He turned heads as Cornish tin mine owner Ross Poldark in BBC historical drama Poldark last year. And betting site Ladbroke just slashed his odds to 1-2, making him the hottest candidate for 007. His odds were 3-1 on Coral before betting was suspended mid-May. 

If you are worried about the 32-year-old’s oomph factor, don’t be. His shirtless scything on Poldark had sent the Internet into meltdown. That was before he appeared in just a towel on Then There Were None in December last year, and did it again... to the Internet.

He is rumoured to have met the Bond producers.
(Reminds us of the Bonds of old)

t2 rating: 8.5/10
(Reminds us of the Bonds of old)

 

TOM HIDDLESTON

 

 

 

The man is no stranger to being a part of mega franchises, having entertained us all as Loki in the Thor films and, of course, Avengers. Still doubt his suitability as Bond? Just watch him as the English spy Jonathan Pine in BBC series The Night Manager, right down to the steamy sex scenes. No wonder he was top favourite on betting sites like Coral. That was even before he was seen having lunch with Sam Mendes. As the favourite, his odds switched from 2-1 to 1-2 and Coral suspended betting. His odds are 9-4 on Ladbrokes now, after the 35-year-old denied all Bond talk, saying that no such annoucement was going to be made, and that our guess was as good as his.

t2 rating: 9/10
(Just two words... Jonathan Pine)