James Bond: The 8 actors rumoured to take over from Daniel Craig, from Tom Hardy to Idris Elba

There has been speculation about who will replace Daniel Craig as 007 ever since 2015, when he joked he would rather “slash his wrists” than do another Bond film.

As the release date of the 25th Bond film, No Time to Die, creeps ever closer, here’s a list of the actors who are tipped to play the spy based on the latest betting odds.

The 43-year-old, known for his roles in Venom and The Revenant, previously spoke about Bond rumours with The Daily Beast, saying: “If I mention it, it’s gone. You know, there’s a saying amongst us in the fraternity of acting, and in the fellowship of my peer group, that if you talk about it you’re automatically out of the race. So I can’t possibly comment on that one.”

James Norton

The 35-year-old star of War & Peace and McMafia recently told The Independent that if playing Bond meant sacrificing roles in indie films, “it would be a hard thing for me to swallow”.

Sam Heughan

The Outlander star has previously said he would like to bring Bond back to Scotland for the first time since Sean Connery’s stint as 007. “Of course it would be a dream role and a Scottish Bond,” said the 40-year-old, “who doesn’t want to see another Scottish Bond!”

Tom Hiddleston

There were lots of rumours that Hiddleston, 39, would be the next Bond after a reported meeting with Bond producer Barbara Broccoli a few years ago. However, in 2016 he told fans that “your guess is as good as mine, to be honest”.

Richard Madden

The 34-year-old Bodyguard and Game of Thrones star previously told GQ: “I’m more than flattered to be mentioned, for people to consider putting me in that role. I’m very flattered and thankful. It’s a really brilliant thing to be in.”

Jack Lowden

The 30-year-old Dunkirk actor has been tipped for Bond, but he’s said he never wants Craig to leave the role. “I’m a massive Daniel Craig fan and I don’t think he should ever stop doing it,” Lowden told GP. “Bond dealing with age is a brilliant idea and I think we should go the whole way until Daniel’s 85.”

Michael Fassbender

Fassbender, 43, is one of the favourites to play 007, even though he has ruled himself out as he thinks a younger actor or a woman should take on the role. When asked in an interview with GQ magazine if he would be up for the part, he said: "To be honest, no."

Idris Elba

Luther star Elba, 48, has long been tipped to replace Daniel Craig, however he has attempted to quash the rumours, saying to Event: “Bond is one of the biggest franchises in the world, and for that reason, whoever ends up playing it, lives it. You’re THAT character, and known as that character for many, many years. I’m creating characters now that can still live alongside Idris. Not ones that take over me and solely define me.”