The hunt is on for the next James Bond, but MGM isn't rushing to announce who will take over from Daniel Craig as the new 007. The studio is clearly looking to create some distance between No Time to Die and whatever comes next, but this franchise has never been one to churn out movies every couple of years.
Recently, we've heard that the plan is to cast a younger actor as Bond, taking a number of big names out of the running.
CBR, however, is reporting that Man of Steel and Mission: Impossible - Fallout star Henry Cavill has emerged as the bookmakers' favourite to play the iconic Ian Fleming creation.
The Superman actor has beaten the likes of Regé-Jean Page (The Gray Man), Idris Elba (Thor: Love and Thunder), Tom Hardy (Venom: Let There Be Carnage), and James Norton (Rogue Agent). That's an impressive list of names, though it's definitely interesting that Cavill leads the pack. Needless to say, we can't help but wonder whether the bookies have some inside intel here!
This wouldn't be the first time the British actor has been eyed to play 007, of course, as he was among those who tested for 2006's Casino Royale. While Cavill has previously said he was passed over because director Martin Campbell felt he was "a little too chubby," though the filmmaker told a different story earlier this year.
"I did test him for Bond, as you know," he recalled. "He did a very good test, [but] he was too young, and also he wasn’t as experienced as Daniel. Daniel just fitted the part from being a superb actor, and probably the best actor amongst them all."
Only time will tell whether Cavill does get to suit up as the next James Bond, but we have to believe an announcement will be made sometime next year.
Who do you think should play the next 007?