James Bond producer Michael G Wilson has said that EON Productions is looking for an actor in his thirties to play the new 007 after Daniel Craig.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson may continue to be the bookies’ frontrunner with odds of 15-8, but entering the bookies’ race now is Barry Keoghan on 11-1.
The 31-year-old Oscar-nominee stunned in Saltburn and stars in the new Band of Brothers spin-off Masters of the Air, which debuts on Apple TV+ today.
In fact, he already has a 007 franchise connection having been directed by No Time To Die’s Cary Fukunaga in the first few episodes of the WWII drama.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: “Barry Keoghan is very much all the rage right now, and with 007 chiefs still on the lookout for Daniel Craig’s replacement, punters are now putting two and two together and backing the Saltburn star to get the iconic gig.”
Take it all with a grain of salt, but the bookies added: “The Saltburn star is just 11/1 with the bookies to replace Daniel Craig as 007, putting him firmly among the frontrunners right now.
“Aaron Taylor-Johnson continues to head the betting at 15-8, with Henry Cavill close behind at 7-2, but with Barry Keoghan fast-closing the gap on the long-time favourites, Ladbrokes are anticipating even more of a shake-up at the head of the betting in the coming weeks.”
Other top next Bond odds include James Norton on 4-1, Damson Idris on 9-2, Regé-Jean Page on 6-1, Sope Dirisu on 8-1 and Tom Hardy on 9-1.