Six years after Daniel Craig announced he was retiring from James Bond, it appears we are no closer to unveiling the next 007.
Former favourite Idris Elba, 52, previously ruled himself out from playing the British spy, while other hotly tipped actors, including James Norton and Theo James, have remained coy.
The current front-runner to become Bond is Aaron Taylor-Johnson, while bookies’ Ladbrokes have also given preferential odds to the likes of Henry Cavill, Jack Lowden and Tom Hardy.
However, perhaps Amazon – which now has full creative control over the franchise – could be considering a more leftfield choice.
Or, in other words, you can actually bet on Gemma Collins to be 007.
While we would welcome a GC takeover (it would remain to be seen how she would cope with the claustrophobia, though, as playing James Bond would inevitably lead to tight situations or indeed, anything involving helicopters), Ladbrokes thinks her chances are slim – 5000/1 to be exact.
The most baffling stars you can bet on to play James Bond
Gemma Collins – 5000/1
David Mitchell – 5000/1
Robert Webb – 5000/1
Stephen Merchant – 500/1
David Beckham – 77/1
James Corden – 100/1
But Gemma, 44, is not the only baffling star you can bet on to take over Daniel, 57. While the following celebs are all supremely gifted in their own right, it’s fair to say their talents may not lend themselves best to Bond.
David Mitchell, 50, has as much of a shot at joining the franchise as Gemma, with odds of 5000/1. Could Peep Show’s Mark Corrigan’s social awkwardness bring a newfound vulnerability to the role?
His former co-star Robert Webb, 52, also has odds of 5000/1, which would make him the first former Strictly star to swap the ballroom for Bond.
If you wanted to place a safer bet, you could put your money on Stephen Merchant, 50, (500/1) or, better still, try your luck with David Beckham (77/1) to take on 007.
Bond could equally be the next acting job James Corden, 46, sinks his teeth into after the end of Gavin and Stacey, with odds of 100/1. At least, like 007, he has particular bar and restaurant orders…
Since Daniel’s departure, there have been various theories over what casting producers are looking for, with the latest reports suggesting they’re hunting for a ‘very young’ actor.
This was sparked by actor Daniel Mays, who revealed he was privy to some details on Amazon’s wishlist.
During an appearance on the We’re Not Getting Any Younger podcast, he said: ‘Bond is a big deal right, that going to Amazon … I heard a rumour they’re going to cast someone very young and go sort of back to the origins.
‘They’re going to sort of ’60s, you’re going to have all the retro cars and that sort of stuff – and start again. I think that would be kind of cool.’
Other details that have emerged about the upcoming film include that it has been reportedly granted a £250,000,000 budget with plans for it to be released in the next three years.
It will also reportedly be filmed in Liverpool due to a filming ban in Central London next year, The Sun previously reportedly, which could ‘irk Bond purists.’
‘This will no doubt irk Bond purists who already fear Amazon taking over the 007 franchise may lead to them making big changes,’ the insider told the outlet.
‘But Liverpool is a well-known alternative to London for filmmakers.
‘It has appeared in everything from The Batman to Captain America and Harry Potter movies, doubling up as international cities.’
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