Daniel Craig will return as James Bond in Spectre, set to be released in theatres this November. However his future as Her Majesty's favourite secret agent is up in the air beyond that.
As Spectre's release date nears, many have begun speculating who might succeed Craig as 007. It seems that UK bookmaker William Hill may have the inside track on which actor will step into Bond's famous tuxedo. Earlier this week, In a move coming completely out of left field, the bookmaker moved Scottish actor Damien Lewis into near front runner status for the role with 3/1 odds.
Best known to audiences for his Emmy award winning role as Sgt. Nicolas Brody in Showtime's Homeland, Lewis was previously considered a long shot for the role, with odds hovering around 25/1. He currently stars in period drama Wolf Hall.
It wouldn't be the first time a Scotsman has taken up the mantle of 007 of course. Lewis' fellow countryman Sir Sean Connery was the first actor to bring Ian Fleming's hero to the big screen in 1962's Dr. No.
Despite Lewis' sudden surge up the rankings, the bookmaker still has British actor Idris Elba as the front runner with 5/2 odds. The star of BBC's Luther has long been tipped by many to become the first black actor to play the role.
Speaking at the British Film Institute on Tuesday, Elba spoke about the constant rumours surround him and the part:
"Honestly, it's a rumour that's really starting to eat itself, if there was ever any chance of me getting Bond, it's gone."
The 42 year old actor claims he has never met with the film's producers to discuss succeeding Craig.
Aside from Elba and Lewis, Other interesting names on William Hill's short list include: Mad Max star Tom Hardy (4/1), current Superman Henry Cavill (5/1), and the X-Men franchise's Michael Fassbender (7/1).
