Next James Bond: Sudden surge in bets placed on well-loved Hollywood actor to play 007
Bookies have seen a huge surge in bets which have placed a well-loved Hollywood actor as favourite to be the new James Bond
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A sudden surge in bets has propelled a well-loved Hollywood actor into pole position to be the next James Bond.
The slick-spy role has been vacant since Daniel Craig appeared in his final Bond film, No Time To Die, in 2021.
And bookies Coral have got Kick-Ass star Aaron Taylor-Johnson at 2-1 to fill Craig’s black tuxedo.
The betting specialists have seen a surge of support and money put on the 32-year-old in the past 24 hours.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson has steamed in at 2-1 to be given the James Bond role
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He’s ahead of Happy Valley baddie James Norton who’s second in the running at 5-2 in their market, and Superman protagonist Henry Cavill is 3-1.
Hardman Tom Hardy and Richard Madden are slightly behind in Coral’s pecking order, both coming in at 7-1.
Speaking on Taylor-Johnson's appeal to fans, Coral's John Hill said: "There has been a surge of support behind Aaron Taylor-Johnson in the last 24 hours in our next James Bond betting.
"It's clear that punters have made their minds up over who they think should replace Daniel Craig."
Taylor-Johnson impressed the Bond franchise's boss' with his acting skills
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William Hill also has Taylor-Johnson as favourite for the role with odds of 11-8, with Henry in second at 5-2.
Taylor-Johnson sits in pole position for the role after wowing Bond franchise boss Barbara Broccoli in his trial at Pinewood Studios.
An insider revealed that the Bond supremo loved what she saw from the Godzilla actor when he auditioned last year.
They declared: “Aaron went for a screen test to be the next Bond in September and producers and Barbara loved him. He is now one of the front-runners.”
But it was his reflexes while re-enacting the famous Bond gun barrel scene that blew Barbaba away.
A source previously told The Sun: “Aaron has impressed bosses so much that he has filmed one of the franchise's famous gun barrel teaser scenes, something all the actors do.
“That move takes him a step closer to signing a deal. Bosses at the brand were really impressed with his unique blend of acting intensity and his impressive back catalogue of action films.”
Taylor-Johnson also has the support of wife and film director Sam in the race to become Bond.
He and Sam met when he starred in the Nowhere Boy movie she produced in 2009.
Taylor-Johnson was 18 at the time, and Sam was 42, but they soon began dating and got married in 2012.