The Bond rumour mill has been in overdrive this month following speculation that Oppenheimer boss Christopher Nolan is in the frame to helm the next few instalments in the franchise.
Fresh off the back of Oppenheimer's record-shattering success at the box office, Nolan is rumoured to be Bond bosses' only target to direct and write the next two to three films.
A source told World of Reel: "The deal being negotiated would be for Nolan to direct two Bond films, writing both of them as well."
However, neither Nolan nor Barbara Broccoli's EON Productions have confirmed the speculation currently circling among the Bond fandom.
Nevertheless, the rumours alone have been enough for Bond fans across the globe to share who they think will replace Daniel Craig now Nolan is tipped to board the next project.
And while some may presume Cillian Murphy - an actor favoured by Nolan in a number of his big-screen projects - could be set for the role of 007, it's one of his Peaky Blinders co-stars who's emerged as a favourite with fans.
Christopher Nolan and Cillian Murphy worked together on this year's Oppenheimer
PA
Should Nolan be unveiled as the next man to lead the franchise, fans are convinced it will lead to Tom Hardy being unveiled as Craig's replacement.
Hardy has also worked with Nolan on a number of big-screen films, including Dunkirk and the Dark Knight Rises.
Taking to Twitter to address the rumours, one fan penned: "I’ll have a m*****m if Tom Hardy is the lead in a Christopher Nolan-directed Bond film. Please God let this happen."
While a second joked: "Cast is announced. tom hardy is james bond. cillian murphy is the villain. nobody else. but wait, there’s no bond girl? false. it’s also cillian."
"Tom Hardy as Bond and Cillian Murphy as the bad guy. Would go to theatres to watch that," a third weighed into the discussion.
And a fourth aired the same prediction: "Congratulations in advance to tom hardy for being the next james bond."
Elsewhere, another added: "Tom Hardy is my vote for next James Bond, especially if Nolan is directing. I hope it happens man."
A sixth also concurred: "If my guy Chris Nolan is directing, best believe, Tom Hardy will be playing James Bond!" (sic)
While several members of the fandom think Hardy will be Nolan's prime candidate for Bond should he take over, it's sadly not a sentiment shared by bookmakers.
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Christopher Nolan and Tom Hardy worked together on Dunkirk
PA
According to the likes of Paddy Power, Betfair and Coral [via Oddschecker], Hardy's priced as an outsider for the role at 10/1.
Ahead of him in the running are the likes of Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Damson Idris, Henry Cavill, James Norton, Rege-Jean Page and Paapa Essiedu with the bookies.
There is a special connection between Nolan and another of the frontrunners, however, as he and Taylor-Johnson previously worked together on the mind-bending blockbuster Tenet.
So if Nolan's involvement gets the green light, could fans see Taylor-Johnson prove the bookies right? Or will Hardy emerge as a surprise hire?
