Major Hollywood star emerges as shock favourite for huge James Bond role amid speculation over who will be the next 007 after Amazon's takeover

Daily Mail​

a day ago

A shock contender has emerged as the bookies' favourite to play the villain in the highly-anticipated next instalment of James Bond.
Film-lovers have been patiently waiting to find out when the new 007 movie will be released since Daniel Craig finished his five film stint as the British spy with No Time To Die.
The 2021 movie was the last spearheaded by Bond producer of 30 years Barbara Broccoli and her brother Michael G. Wilson after Amazon took over 'creative control' of the much-loved franchise.
The company are said to be fast-tracking the new film, with Hollywood producers David Heyman and Amy Pascal hired to bring in the new era of Bond.
Despite no official announcements being made, speculation about the potential cast for the next movie has been heating up in recent weeks.
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British fan favourites Aaron-Taylor Johnson and Henry Cavill have been linked to the role, while The White Lotus actor Theo James emerged as the latest bookies' favourite last month.
Now, betting companies have released their odds for the next villain - with one unexpected household name topping the list.
The favourite is none other than Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy, 49, who sits at the top of OLBG's odds at 9/2.
The Irish actor - best known for playing Thomas Shelby - had previously been touted for the part of Bond but played down speculation, telling Deadline: 'I think I'm a bit old for that.'
Also in the running for the part are American actor Paul Giamatti (11/2), The Boogeyman star David Dastmalchian (13/2), and unlikely contender Zendaya (7/1).
Despite 'usually playing the good guy' in her previous roles, the female actress told Elle in 2023 that she's ready to enter her villainous era.
'I would love to play a villain of sorts,' the 28-year-old said.
'Tap into the evil, supervillain vibes. Whatever that manifests in, I don't think necessarily in a superhero sense, I just mean in like an emotional sense.
'I feel like I usually play the good guy, so I'd like to play the bad guy.'
Cillian Murphy remains the strong favourite for the role, with Betting Expert Jake Ashton backing the Irish star too.
'The villain role in the Bond movies is just as iconic as Bond himself,' he said.
'With Cillian Murphy at the height of his powers and trusted by major directors, he's a natural favourite.'
No Time To Die saw Oscar winner Rami Malek star as its lead antagonist Lyutsifer Safin, a terrorist chief and scientist driven by a desire to dismantle the criminal group SPECTRE.
Before him A-lister Christoph Waltz starred as the villain in Spectre and Javier Bardem played Raoul Silva in Skyfall, an antagonist described as 'up there with the great' Bond baddies.
After Daniel Craig's James Bond died at the end of No Time To Die, speculation has been rife as to how the next film will begin.
As The Daily Mail reported, the plan is for the new Bond to be a 'straight up' reboot.
There is reportedly set to be no explanation of how the special agent is still alive, no multiverse of Bonds and no attempt to go back to the 1960s for a vintage Bond.
Barbara Broccoli's choice for Bond was thought to be Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who was once favourite for the role, but Heyman and Pascal are likely to want to choose their own 007.
Theo James currently sits at favourite for the part at 3/1, ahead of Superman actor Cavill (3/1), Taylor-Johnson (7/2) and Jack Lowden (12/1) from Mary Queen of Scots.
Theo has impressed while playing rogue, morally ambiguous characters somewhat similar to Bond in both The White Lotus and Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen.
Theo had been one of the frontrunners for the role a couple of years ago but was bumped down odds lists after an interview in The Guardian in 2024.
He told the publication: 'Everyone's interested in playing Bond because it's a big part of British cultural identity, but that probably wouldn't be me.
'I do think there are better people for that job. And honestly it would be terrifiyng... you're opening Pandora's Box.'
Amazon bosses are currently said to be considering locations in which to set the much-anticipated new film, which experts predicted is likely to be released at the end of next year or in 2027.
Due to a filming ban being imposed in Central London next year, new locations are reportedly being considered - with Liverpool a frontrunner, according to The Sun.
An insider told the publication: 'This will no doubt irk Bond purists who already fear Amazon taking over the 007 franchise may lead to them making big changes.
'But Liverpool is a well-known alternative to London for film-makers.
'It has appeared in everything from The Batman to Captain America and Harry Potter movies, doubling up as international cities.'
The source added that it doesn't necessarily mean the story will be set in Liverpool - though eagle-eyed Merseysiders will no doubt spot their city centre in the background.