Celebrity Odds – New Favorite Emerges to Play Bond

The last time we checked in with Hollywood’s crop of James Bond hopefuls, Tom Hardy’s name was being bandied about as the most likely replacement for Daniel Craig.

Fast forward six weeks and Craig has all but stepped down, yet Hardy is now on the scrapheap!

Has the world gone loco? Not exactly; it’s gone Loki.

Tom Hiddleston is now the odds-on favorite to play Bond. The Thor and Avengers baddie is rumored to be in “advanced talks” to get his license to kill. But Sam Mendes, the director of Skyfall and Spectre isn’t convinced, reasoning that Barbara Broccoli, who ultimately wields decision-making power, is apt to surprise.

The new clamor on the old internet is for James Bond to transition into Jane Bond with Gillian Anderson taking on the title role. Anderson showcased her crime-solving bona fides – and her ability to affect an Irish brogue – in The Fall. And she indicated her interest in the role of Bond by Tweeting out a fan-made poster with herself in Craig’s shoes.

Is that just the type of surprise that Mendes was hinting at? Possibly. But Anderson, specifically, is a longshot at this point. Until someone with actual say in the matter indicates an interest in a Jane Bond, her odds will stay long.

Also new to the list this time around is Jamie Bell. Bell is still best known for his turn (and quite literal turns) as ballet dancer Billy Elliot. His name entered the Bond fray after working with Broccoli on Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool. 

The other regulars remain on the list, but their odds have all dropped thanks to Hiddleston’s rise. See for yourself.

Odds to replace Daniel Craig as James Bond:

Tom Hiddleston: 3/2

Aidan Turner: 6/1

Jamie Bell: 9/1

Tom Hardy: 15/1

Idris Elba: 15/1

Damian Lewis: 20/1

Henry Cavill: 20/1

Michael Fassbender: 35/1

Gillian Anderson: 99/1

FIELD:  6/1

(Photo credit: Gage Skidmore (flickr) [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/legalcode].)