Aaron Taylor-Johnson has emerged as a strong contender to be the next James Bond after signing a deal with Omega, the official watch provider for the 007 franchise.
The announcement on Wednesday sparked a frenzy among film lovers and betting enthusiasts alike.
The 34-year-old actor has seen his odds dramatically slashed, placing him firmly in the running behind current favourite Theo James and second-placed Henry Cavill as speculation intensifies about who will next take on the iconic role.
Following the news, bets placed on Taylor-Johnson to become the latest actor "with a license to kill" surged by a whopping three times on Thursday compared to the previous fortnight, according to Oddschecker.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson has emerged as a strong contender to be the next James Bond
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Leon Blackman, a spokesperson for Oddschecker, said: "Aaron Taylor-Johnson has seen a surge of betting interest for him on the Oddschecker platform on Thursday after news broke of his watch deal with Omega.
"67 per cent of bets have backed him to replace Daniel Craig as 007."
The connection between Omega and the Bond franchise dates back to 1995, when Pierce Brosnan wore the brand's timepiece in GoldenEye.
Daniel Craig continued the tradition, sporting a Seamaster watch in No Time To Die.
After signing the deal, Taylor-Johnson said: "I have always had an appreciation for timepieces but especially for Omega. Now, after visiting the factory, I am in awe of the skill required to manufacture such a luxurious product."
Omega's CEO described the actor as "versatile" with "a range that covers action, thriller, romance and much more".
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Daniel Craig's James Bond replacement is yet to be announced PATaylor-Johnson's odds now stand at 7/2, placing him just behind Henry Cavill at 3/1.
However, both actors trail current favourite Theo James, who leads the pack at 5/2.
The 40-year-old James has impressed audiences with his performances as morally ambiguous characters in The White Lotus and Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen, roles somewhat similar to Bond.
Despite playing down speculation, telling The Guardian in 2024 that it "probably wouldn't be me", betting patterns suggest growing confidence in James, with 70 per cent of all recent 007 bets placed on him.
Amazon Prime has taken over creative control of the James Bond franchise, leaving some fans concerned about potential changes to the beloved films.
Both actors trail current favourite Theo James, who leads the pack at 5/2
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The company is reportedly fast-tracking a new movie after spending around £1 billion to regain control from Barbara Broccoli.
David Heyman and Amy Pascal have been hired as producers, with director Alfonso Cuaron understood to be close to a deal.
The plan is for a "straight up" reboot following Daniel Craig's 007 death in No Time To Die, with no explanation of how the agent is still alive.
Amazon bosses are currently considering locations for the new film, which experts predict will be released in late 2026 or 2027.
Due to a filming ban in Central London next year, Liverpool has emerged as an option.
An insider told The Sun: "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."
The source added that this doesn't necessarily mean the story will be set in Liverpool.
