Tom Hiddleston Listed as Favorite in Odds to Replace Daniel Craig as Next James Bond

• The search for the eighth James Bond is still ongoing
• With Daniel Craig vacating the role, presently the role of Bond is vacant
• Plenty of actors (and one actress) have had their names attached to the role

With Daniel Craig wrapping up his tenure playing Secret Service agent James Bond, Hollywood has been searching for his replacement for several years now. It seems like virtually every male actor is being looked at for the role.

Craig is slated to appear as bond in next year’s Bond 25, his final contribution to this cinematic franchise. After that, it’s somebody else’s turn.

For the first time in Hollywood history, a diverse group of stars is being considered for the role of Bond. Actors of different age categories, ethnicities, and geographical backgrounds are all being named as the potential next Bond.

Initially, the character was conceived by author Ian Fleming to be a Caucasian British man of mature age. This image certainly ties in well with the actors who have been chosen in the past such as Sean Connery and Pierce Brosnan.

Odds For Who Will Be the Next James Bond

*Odds taken 03/07/19

Who Will Be 008?

The name presently most discussed with the role has been Tom Hiddleston. A well-loved fixture as Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Hiddleston may be making the jump to a new franchise. That is if he trumps all the other competition.

Hiddleston certainly fits into the suave, cool image associated with James Bond. He’s a safe bet and exemplifies the standard Bond look. If producers are going for another addition to what they’ve done since the beginning, Hiddleston has it on lock.

Hiddleston is textbook handsome, and he’s the right age to launch into a five-to-ten year Bond role.

While Hiddleston may not seem like the most obvious choice, he makes sense to be the next Bond. He’s textbook handsome, and he’s the right age to launch into a five-to-ten year Bond role.

On the other side, Hiddleston doesn’t exactly seem worthy. There are far more interesting choices out there, even if the producers aren’t looking to diversify or reinvent the character.

Cillian Me Softly

More recently, Irish actor Cillian Murphy has been turning heads as a likely bet to jump into the role.

Murphy’s career thus far has seen him play a villain in the Batman universe, and garner critical acclaim in Inception and Dunkirk. 

But Murphy hasn’t yet found a career-defining role to set himself aside from the pack just yet. Being cast as Bond would be the perfect opportunity to elevate Murphy to the top tier in Hollywood.

Murphy is definitely a more unique choice for Bond. He’s paid his dues in Hollywood for decades now, but he’s still a perfect age to begin the role. Murphy also has the chops as an underused talent in the industry.

Sexiest Man to Secret Agent

This year’s People Magazine cover star for the “Sexiest Man in the World” issue, Idris Elba, has also been highly discussed during talks about the next James Bond.

Naturally, Elba would be the first man of color to be cast in the role. Casting Idris Elba as James Bond would be such an exciting and revolutionary choice for Hollywood to reinvent the character.

When Elba’s name was first discussed to play Bond, there was, unfortunately, a bit of backlash by those who consider this not to be a place where diversity should come into play. Perhaps that backlash alone will result in Elba being cast, just to prove a point and spite the naysayers.

A Smorgasbord of Options

As mentioned before, there are literally dozens of names popping up as potential choices for the role of James Bond. Some seem like an obvious, likely fit. Others are more unique and interesting.

One of the most intriguing names being looked at is fan favorite Gillian Anderson. If the franchise is looking to reinvent itself, Gillian Anderson would be an amazing choice to play Bond.

The former X-Files star would redefine what James Bond is. With recent female reboots of classic franchises such as Ghostbusters and Ocean’s 8 reimagining old characters, it’s a viable option.

If the franchise is looking to reinvent itself, Gillian Anderson would be an amazing choice.

Also, younger stars such as Taron Egerton and Jamie Bell are interesting choices for the role. Both are fresher faced, spunky stars who would bring some much-needed youth energy to this franchise.

Pick: Cillian Murphy (+150)