My verdict on the favourites to be the next 007

There has been recent speculation that Eon Productions are thinking ahead to casting the next James Bond. If Bond films continue to be released every three years, it is unlikely that the part will be vacant until 2018 or 2021 (if Daniel Craig finishes onto a fifth film).

Here are the latest favourite and odds, and my thoughts on how likely their casting may be:

Damian Lewis: 2/1
Lewis, like Bond, is an old Etonian and despite his ginger-hair would be a return to a more traditional suave and cultured 007.  He has previously voiced Bond  for a Diamonds are Forever audiobook so knows Fleming's character very well.  However he will be 47 or 50 by the time of the first post-Craig Bond film, which would make him the oldest ever Bond at time of casting.  
My verdict: Would have been a good alternative choice for Casino Royale but his time has passed - 2/5.



Idris Elba: 11/4 
For some time, Elba has been touted as the first "black Bond" and he was suggested by Sony executive Amy Pascal in a leaked email.  He would make a charismatic, powerful and ground-breaking Bond.    Elba would be 45 or 48 in his first Bond film.
My verdict:  Could be considered for a one or two picture deal  - 3/5.



Tom Hardy 7/2

Hardy seems a good choice to continue the franchise in the same style as that established with Daniel Craig; playing the rugged, intense type.  He is also young enough to potentially sign up for four or five movies.  He performed the action hero role impressively in this year's excellent Mad Max: Fury Road.
My verdict:  A safe choice.  However as a versatile actor in the middle of a successful film career, he may fear typecasting -  4/5.






Henry Cavill 4/1
Cavill has the looks, physically and upper-class background to play Bond.  He auditioned for the role against Daniel Craig in 2005.  He was probably too young back then but would be an ideal mid-to-late thirties Bond by the time of casting.  Cavill is best known for playing Superman in Man of Steel and the upcoming Batman vs Superman.  He also playing spy Napolean Solo in this summer's The Man from U.N.C.L.E which could be seen as a trial run for Bond or may alternatively rule him out if that too becomes a franchise. 

My verdict:  A good choice but unlikely.  Previous Bond actors have not starred in major blockbusters prior to taking the role -  3/5.


Michael Fassbender 6/1
Fassbender is one of the greatest film actors working in movies today and is in very high demand for both mainstream and more challenging dramatic roles. His performance as a young Magneto in X-Men First Class was very 007-like and he certainly has the looks of a classical Bond.
My verdict:  He would be brilliant but is more likely to want to win Academy Awards than risk type-casting by playing Bond in more than one film -  3/5.





Of the actors further down the odds list, the most impressive are Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Jamie Dornan and Richard Madden.  These four would be great Bonds and are in the right age-range. However, they may be too famous or have become so in three to six years time.  From Sean Connery onwards, each Bond actor was known for smaller films or television roles rather than major Hollywood features.  The next Bond may well not currently feature on the bookies' lists at all!

Odds from Paddy Power