Tom Holland is out of the running to be the next James Bond, it is reported.
The Spider-Man star, 29, who had a healthy 12/1 chance of stepping into the role according to Ladbrokes, will reportedly not take up the 007 mantle from Daniel Craig after No Time To Die.
The franchise’s 26th film will be written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, while Dune director Denis Villeneuve has signed on to direct the next instalment, but we’re no closer to finding out who the slick protagonist will be.
But we’re getting inches closer to finding out, as it’s been reported everyone’s favourite superhero actor Tom is out of the running, due to his Spider-Man Marvel contract.
‘Tom can’t play two superheroes, it just won’t happen,’ a source told The Sun, adding that it’s been written into his contract that he cannot pursue any other parts that will overshadow that one. (If any part would, it’s Bond.)
Insiders also claim the new Bond will go into production next April at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, and the plot will revolve around the dangers of AI. How fitting.
Speculation has swirled for years about who will be getting the keys to the Aston Martin after the 57-year-old’s 2021 departure, with a number of big names firmly in the mix
Aaron Taylor-Johnson is currently favourite for the role, after his very suspect appointment as global ambassador for Omega watch brand – a make which has decorated the wrists of James Bonds for 30 years since Pierce Brosnan all the way up to Daniel’s final mission in No Time To Die.
Who will be the next James Bond?
As it stands, the Ladbrokes James Bond odds are:
Aaron Taylor-Johnson – 1/1 favourite
Callum Turner – 4/1
Henry Cavill – 4/1
Theo James – 10/1
Harris Dickinson – 12/1
Jonathan Bailey – 12/1
Tom Holland – 12/1
Jack Lowden – 14/1
Jacob Elordi – 20/1
Henry Golding – 20/1
Josh O’Connor – 25/1
Further to this, the Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging star, 35, gave a coy response when asked by Deadline about what his next role will be on the red carpet.
He replied with a smile and simply said: ‘I can’t talk about it.’
Other names on the bookies are Masters of the Air star Callum Turner, Slow Horses actor Jack Lowden, superhero star Henry Cavill and Saltburn’s Jacob Elordi.
While some may be disappointed by the news Tom will not be 007, others will rejoice, making the point that he’s too famous and popular for the role anyway.
This comes after Tom suffered an injury while filming his fourth Spider-Man movie as Peter Parker and was rushed to hospital.
Filming was halted when Tom suffered a mild concussion after a stunt went wrong.
While fans were initially concerned for Tom, it was since reported the incident wasn’t as bad as initially thought.
‘The accident wasn’t as bad as people think,’ a source told The Sun. ‘A line snapped on a pull ring, and he got a bump on his bounce. Filming was supposed to start again in London on Thursday, but for now the production team have been told to stand down for two weeks.
‘Tom has been taking it easy as he had a suspected concussion and no one wants him to rush back to set.’
They added that it was just a ‘minor setback’ and shouldn’t at all affect the release date of the film, which is set for July 31, 2026.
The upcoming Spider-Man flick is intended to be the 38th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, will also star Sadie Sink, Mark Ruffalo, Jacob Batalon, and more.
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