IDRIS ELBA is as short as 8/11 in the betting to become the Next James Bond and only a best 11/10 with Ladbrokes after the 45-year-old Londoner posted a picture of himself on Twitter with the words: ‘My name’s Elba, Idris Elba.’
James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli has said she’s open to diversifying the role of the world’s most famous secret agent and has reportedly had a conversation with director Antoine Fuqua about potentially casting the role with a non-white actor. It reports Broccoli told Fuqua ‘it is time’ for a person of colour to get the role.’
The Wire actor, nominated four times for a Golden Globe, has gone from being the fifth favourite to be Bond to head the market. Tom Hardy and James Norton have both been eased accordingly. Daniel Craig, who has played James Bond in four films over 11 years, finally ended speculation last autumn by signing up for one final outing as 007 before permanently handing in his licence to kill and Elba would be the perfect successor if the franchise’s producers think it is time for the role to head in a different direction. Doctor Who, a TV programme which attracts similar publicity every time a there is a new regeneration, recently made Jodie Whitaker the first female Doctor but Ladbrokes are offering 12/1 that Any Female gets the role of James Bond after Craig steps down.
Next James Bond Current Best Odds
Idris Elba 11/10
Tom Hardy 9/2
James Norton 6/1
Aidan Turner 9/1
Jack Huston 9/1
Cillian Murphy 10/1
Tom Hiddleston 16/1
Michael Fassbender 20/1
Henry Cavill 25/1
Jamie Bell 25/1
Damian Lewis 33/1
Dan Stevens 33/1
Jack O’Connell 33/1
Andrew Lincoln 40/1
(Odds Correct at 12.00pm August 13)
