Henry Cavill Is the New Favorite to Become the Next 007
Man of Steel star Henry Cavill has been strongly supported to be cast as the next James Bond. At the start of the year, the Jersey-born actor was 10/1 to swap his Superman cape for a tuxedo. That price has shrunk month-on-month. Now the 39-year-old is the new favorite to replace Daniel Craig as 007.
Superman actor Henry Cavill is the new favorite to become the next James Bond. ?GettyImages
Craig’s run as the British spy – with a license to kill or be killed – concluded with No Time To Die. Plenty of names have been in contention for the role before and since. Cavill, who shot to fame playing Charles Brandon in The Tudors between 2007 and 2010, has seemingly created much of the hype associated with his price shift.
The Drinks Ad That Put the Bond Market on the Rocks
In late June, the actor posted a slick video advert on his Instagram account that boasts over 21 million followers. The short production promotes a herbal drinks brand and, in one scene, it shows the actor leaving a tailor on Savile Row.
Parked outside the suitmakers is a classic Bond Aston Martin DB5. Cavill looks on longingly at the car, before saying in a voiceover: “Of course, life will always have its sweet temptations, some more tempting than others.”
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The actor who currently plays the lead role in Netflix’s The Witcher, has long been linked with playing the next 007. Last year he told the Hollywood Reporter: “I think it would be very-exciting to have a conversation with the producers. In an ideal world, I’d never have to turn anything down. Nothing is off the table. It’s an honor to even be part of that conversation.”
All Change but Top Four Are Solid
Cavill’s promotion to Bond favorite has knocked Rege-Jean Page from the top spot. The Bridgerton star was 2/1 in May, but the Coral online sportsbook now rates his chances at 7/2. Idris Elba remains in contention. He has been towards the head of the betting for over two years. Unibet sportsbook is offering the current industry top price of 5/1 for the four-time Golden Globe Best Actor nominee.
Tom Hardy, known for roles in Mad Max and Peaky Blinders, was the James Bond favorite for much of 2021. He can now be backed at 6/1 and is the only other actor trading at a single-digit price. Scouring the best online betting sites will allow you to back Aidan Turner, James Norton and Chiwetel Ejiofor at 12/1 apiece.
Will Age Prove a Bond Handicap?
The prices would indicate Craig’s replacement is unlikely to come from outside the top four in the betting. However, entertainment reporter Ross King recently dropped a bombshell during an episode of the breakfast TV program, Lorraine.
“The latest rumor – and in some ways part of this is very much true – which is, basically, the Bond producers are looking for a younger Bond. Someone probably in their 30s,” stated the respected LA Correspondent when asked about the identity of the next 007 actor.
“At the end of the day, they want someone who will be Bond for the next three movies. For the franchise, they want someone who will carry it through the same way Daniel Craig did it,” King concluded.
If the Rumors Are Right, the Bond Betting Is Wrong
A scramble through the history books shows Pierce Brosnan was 42 when he made his debut in GoldenEye. Daniel Craig was younger, 38, when he became the world’s best-known secret agent. Earlier Bonds were much younger. When George Lazenby appeared in 1969s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, he just was 29. Possibly the best known of all 007s, Sean Connery, was 31 when he appeared in Dr. No.
Of the current betting favorites, Idris Elba, will turn 50 later this month. Tom Hardy will also have a birthday in September; he will be 45. Henry Cavill is 39 and Rege-Jean Page is 34.
As Aidan Turner, James Norton and Chiwetel Ejiofor are all aged between 37 and 45, there must be a real possibility the actor eventually chosen for the 26th Bond movie resides much lower down the current betting list.
