A New Frontrunner Emerges in the Race for The Next 007
As the wait goes on for the next James Bond, a new frontrunner has emerged as one of the favourites. British television actor, James Norton will surprise many but according to Ladbrokes, he’s now the leading candidate to don the famous tuxedo.
The 37-year-old actor was born in London and has wowed British audiences with his recent performance as Tommy Lee Royce in the television show Happy Valley.
And recently the odds to see James Norton taking charge of a leading role has has seen him cut to 3/1 according to most British bookmakers, installing him as third favourite behind Henry Cavill and Aaron Taylor Johnson.
News that James Norton might become the next James Bond has led many to speculate, but the Black Mirror star dismissed it at an interview in Cannes.
‘People love to speculate. Bond’s such an icon, and he means so much to so many people, so there’s an inevitable amount of speculation and guessing and betting,’ said Norton. ‘But that’s as much as it is, speculation. Very flattering, very humbling speculation.’
Speculation it might be, but he’s an impressive actor with all the right attributes to be the next Bond. He’s stylish, he’s a great actor but not a globally recognized, and at a mere 37 he’s got age on his side, as the producers will want someone to commit to at least a decade.
What About The Other Contenders?
Aaron Taylor-Johnson was previously the frontrunner to take possession of the Walther PPK, he is still hotly tipped with a 5/2 bet. The Hollywood actor starred alongside Brad Pitt in Bullet Train and was also part of Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Avengers.
The 32-year-old actor, is the perfect age and also boasts the “not-so-famous” tag albeit working in some blockbuster films. He’s also known to have impressed at a screen test, and had an informal meeting with Barbara Broccoli to discuss the idea of him being cast as the next James Bond.
Still don’t rule out Superman actor Henry Cavill, however. The British actor was an early frontrunner and remains a favourite to finally get the role, after he was beaten by Daniel Craig to become the sixth James Bond for Casino Royale.
He has all the attributes, and with his dark brunet and chiselled jawline, he even looks like how a James Bond should according to many fans. His global popularity might hinder him, but Henry Cavill is still up there and is the favourite with most bookies.
What about early favourite, Tom Hardy? He was and still remains the fans choice after the British public voted for him, but the Legend and Locke star is likely too old and too famous for the producers to accept him, and so his odds have slipped. But how nice it would be for Tom Hardy to become the next James Bond even if it was for only a couple of films.
Idris Elba was an early contender, too, but he seems to have slipped from all reckoning. Casting a black actor would be the biggest upheaval in the Bond history, but the former Luther and The Wire star would be a popular choice. But at 51, Elba is the oldest of the frontrunners.
Then there’s Liam Hemsworth, who has been ringing a few bells of late. The Aussie actor has George Lazenby on his side after the former Bond said Hemsworth is ‘crazy enough, arrogant enough, confident enough, ambitious enough to take on the role,’ but more importantly he’s also ‘a good looking Aussie dude.’ Give him the job!
The Next James Bond Should Be Announced This Year
As speculation continues to mount and new names thrown into the ring of who will become the next Bond, it’s all we can do is speculate and maybe have a punt.
James Norton may be the latest name to be making the headlines, but as always the producers will likely surprise everyone. This could be to the detriment of Henry Cavill as he’s favourite but well known.
Maybe, just maybe James Norton ticks all the boxes. We sit with our popcorn and wait.
