Next James Bond: Aaron Taylor-Johnson REMOVED as frontrunner as new star soars to top spot in race for 007 role
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GB NEWS
Aaron Taylor-Johnson has been ousted from the top spot in bookmakers' markets to play James Bond next for the first time in months.
The actor, who's best known for roles in Kick-Ass, Bullet Train, and the newly-released Kraven the Hunter, has long been the frontrunner to replace Daniel Craig in the iconic role.
So much so that earlier this year, reports emerged to claim Taylor-Johnson had already been offered the role formally.
Eon Productions, the team behind Bond, soon quashed these rumours but it didn't stop bookmakers and pundits from tipping Taylor-Johnson as Craig's most likely successor.
As 2025 soon approaches, Bond boss Barbara Broccoli and the rest of the team at Eon are still keeping fans in the dark as to who the next 007 actor could be - although they have confirmed it will be a man.
Broccoli and her brother Michael G Wilson even addressed the "big decision" the team faces in November, refusing to put a timeline on when fans can expect an answer.
Next James Bond: Daniel Craig's final turn as Bond came in No Time to Die
PA
Shedding a tiny bit of light on the situation, Wilson told AP: "Every time we cast a new actor, the films change. It’s the excitement of a new Bond, a new direction.
"Every one of these people who took on the role offered something new and different."
Now, one man who's been tipped to lead this new direction in the world of Bond is Normal People and Gladiator II star, Paul Mescal.
The 28-year-old has emerged as the new frontrunner for the the role ahead of Taylor-Johnson with bookmakers William Hill placing him as the outright favourite.
Next James Bond: Paul Mescal has become the new favourite for the role
PA
A spokesman for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said of the market shift: “Paul Mescal whipped up a storm with his performance in Ridley Scott’s recent release Gladiator II, and the Irishman might have another starring role on the way, as he’s also taken our next James Bond market by storm.
“For well over a year, Aaron Taylor-Johnson has topped our market to be next to play the world’s most famous secret agent...
"But that’s all changed with Mescal shortening into 6/4 favourite from 7/1 in the space of the last 24 hours."
Hope isn't lost for Bullet Train's Taylor-Johnson though as Phelps explained: "Taylor-Johnson still remains second in the betting at 7/4, with Theo James (7/2) and Jack Lowden (5/1) also prominent in the market, but for now the momentum is all with Mescal.”
James emerged as a likely competitor to Mescal and Taylor-Johnson in the race to land the 007 role thanks to a successful turn as the lead in Netflix's The Gentlemen.
Scottish 5/1 shot Lowden, meanwhile, has become a household name thanks to his stint in Apple's crime drama Slow Horses.
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Aaron Taylor-Johnson was reportedly offered the role of Bond earlier this year
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Punters can place their money on other outside shots, however, with the likes of Callum Turner, Lucien Laviscount, and Henry Cavill raking in 7/1, 9/1, and 11/1 odds, respectively.
Meanwhile, Bridgerton's Regé-Jean Page and Snowfall's Damson Idris are both 12/1 outside punts, according to William Hill.
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