Next James Bond race grinds to a halt as Henry Cavill is challenged | Films | Entertainment

No Time To Die hit cinemas last year and brought Daniel Craig’s journey as James Bond to an end. Since then, MGM bosses behind the scenes have been looking into who should take the star’s place. After 15 years and five films, there are some large boots to fill for the next James Bond star. Thankfully, there are some big names at the front of the race to become the new-and-improved 007.

Over the past few weeks, a number of major players have been topping the Bond odds. But recently, things have ground to a halt.

Henry Cavill tops the list once again with a staggering 5/1 from Ladbrokes. These odds are great, but fans have seen him with an even better chance in recent weeks.

Cavill would certainly do a great job of playing Bond, especially considering he auditioned for the role back in 2005 against Craig. Unfortunately for him, at the time, he was deemed “too chubby” to play the suave and sophisticated spy. Casino Royale’s director, Martin Campbell, passed on him and hired Craig instead.

Just behind the Superman actor in the Bond odds is the Bridgerton heartthrob Regé-Jean Page. The actor is best known for playing the Duke of Hastings in the period drama – but he has a strong year ahead of him.

In just a few months he’ll be playing a mighty paladin in the first big-screen adaptation of Dungeons & Dragons. However, his latest odds on becoming James Bond mean he has a great chance of replacing Craig.

Page has a brilliant 5/1 on becoming the next James Bond – however, he doesn’t agree. He has previously said being named as a potential 007 is nothing more than “flattery” and “a merit badge”.

Despite his comments, he is at the top of the leaderboard alongside Cavill.

Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: “The head of the Bond betting is heavily congested right now with no less than 10 names priced 16/1 or shorter.”

He added: “Henry Cavill and Regé-Jean Page are once again locked as 5/1 joint-favourites, but interest in plenty of outsiders means this is fast becoming one of the tightest races we’ve seen in the 007 betting for some time.”

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There are plenty of major stars still in the running just behind Cavill and Page, however.

One of the biggest names is Tom Hardy, who has been a fan-favourite for years. His popularity spiked when an unconfirmed rumour suggested he had already been cast as the international spy behind the scenes. These claims were, of course, never verified, but he has since remained near the top of the odds ever since.

At the moment, the Venom star has a staggering 7/1 on becoming James Bond. He also most recently said he could “not talk about” becoming Bond. He pointed out that it could ruin his chances.

Elsewhere in the betting is James Norton of McMafia fame. The British actor has a powerful 6/1, putting him in second place. However, he has some other big names to compete with.

Idris Elba was recently confirmed to be “involved” with the Bond bosses’ plans for the future.

Barbara Broccoli recently said: “Well, we know Idris, we’re friends with him, and he’s a magnificent actor. And, you know, it’s been part of the conversation, but it’s always difficult to have the conversation when you have someone in the seat.”

He now has an incredible 12/1 on becoming the new 007 – but will he want it? Perhaps not. He previously said he was “happy with Luther” referencing his detective show.

Elsewhere on the list is Richard Madden with 12/1, Dan Stevens with 16/1 and Chiwetel Ejiofor with 12/1.