It’s more complicated than the plot of any Ian Fleming novel. The race to replace Daniel Craig actually started around the release of SPECTRE in 2015 when the star made some off the cuff remarks about not wanting to think about making another Bond. The film also ended in a way which implied it could be his last outing. However, he duly returned for No Time To Die, which was expected to hit cinemas this autumn, but has faced various delays and set-backs. Once Bond 25 lands next March, the role will be wide open and one man is now the massive favourite to take over.
Richard Madden already started to seem untouchable this year, riding high on the international success of both The Bodyguard and Game of Thrones.
The Scottish star is also currently filming a major new Marvel blockbuster, the Eternals, with Angelina Jolie.
After hopefuls like Tom Hiddleston and Idris Elba leading the pack for so long, Madden had swept in front until a recent challenge from another Scot – who seems to have been swiftly vanquished.
As of today, Richard Madden is odds-on at 1-2 with bookmaker Coral to be the next James Bond following a surge of bets in the last 24 hours. That’s a powerful probability of 66.66 per cent.
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The current odds to replace Daniel Craig after No Time To Die reveal a tight race.
Madden and Heughan are followed by odds of 4-1 for Tom Hiddleston.
Just behind him, three stars are tied at 6-1: Idris Elba, James Norton and Cillian Murphy, just ahead of Tom Hardy at 7-1.
There are still some punters willing to gamble on a major upset and the introduction of a female Bond, with the betting currently lying at an impressive 12-1.
Heughan, Elba and Norton have all acknowledged the Bond race. New fast-rising contender Henry Golding has also admitted it is a “crazy” idea but one he is open to.
Madden, though, has always kept relatively quiet on the subject, but he is perfectly positioned.
As well as his impressive performances on the small screen which continue to raise his profile globally, the actor also has age on his side. With Bond 25 out next year, there is likely to be a gap before the franchise is relaunched.
At 33, Madden is five years younger than Hiddleston and 13 years younger than Elba.
