Next James Bond: Amazon casting bombshell sees new actor surge in popularity after 'attracting significant interest'

Amazon MGM broke the news earlier this month, saying in a statement: "The search for the next James Bond is underway.

"While we don't plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we're excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right."

Ms Gold has outlined two essential criteria for whoever lands the coveted role.

Speaking to Deadline, the casting director stated that the next 007 must "ooze sex appeal" - a quality that has defined every actor to portray the suave spy since Sean Connery first donned the tuxedo in 1962.

Equally important is age, with Ms Gold emphasising that the chosen actor needs to be young enough to commit to the franchise for multiple films.

This requirement appears to rule out some fan-favourites, including Henry Cavill, who at 43 may have missed his window despite being widely considered the runner-up when Mr Craig secured the part two decades ago.

However, the team at Oddschecker has revealed that, while the likes of Callum Turner and Harris Dickinson remain among the frontrunners, Amazon MGM's casting announcement has prompted "significant" interest in one name in particular.

"Callum Turner remains the standout favourite to be the next James Bond and is now firmly odds-on at 8/11," betting expert Marc Sibbons said.

"However, the biggest betting movement in the last 24 hours has been around Jacob Elordi, whose odds have shortened from 6/1 to 4/1 after attracting significant interest from punters."

Mr Elordi isn't the only big name attracting interest, however. "Harris Dickinson also continues to hold strong support at 5/2, while Aaron Taylor-Johnson remains firmly in contention at 4/1," Mr Sibbons said.

Mr Elordi, the 28-year-old Australian who found fame in Euphoria and earned an Oscar nomination this year for Frankenstein, recently hit the big screen alongside Margot Robbie in the box office smash, Wuthering Heights.

Fans of the actor are also tipping a possible Bond stint after podcast host Marina Hyde recently claimed that multiple well-placed sources had told her Mr Elordi was now "in pole position" for the role.

Elsewhere, 36-year-old Mr Turner, who is engaged to Dua Lipa, has built an impressive CV through the Fantastic Beasts films, a Bafta-nominated turn in The Capture, and Apple TV's Masters of the Air.

Mr Taylor-Johnson, 35, remains a perennial contender following his work in Kick-Ass and 28 Years Later.

With the audition process now underway, Tom Francis, a 26-year-old relative newcomer, is believed to have already auditioned for the role over the weekend, according to Variety.

The Tony and Olivier Award winner earned acclaim opposite Nicole Scherzinger in Jamie Lloyd's revival of Sunset Boulevard, though his screen credits remain limited to appearances in You and Jay Kelly.

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His theatrical background mirrors Mr Craig's own path to 007 - the outgoing Bond was primarily known as a stage actor with supporting film roles before landing the franchise in 2006.

Denis Villeneuve, whose credits include Dune and Blade Runner 2049, will direct the next instalment, with Steven Knight penning the screenplay.