This week, British tabloid ‘The Mirror’ reported that Sam Heughan had had a call from Bond producers about auditioning to replace Daniel Craig as 007.
Daniel Craig is set to retire his spy status next year, after the release of Bond 25. Speculation as to who may take over the role has been mounting ever since Craig announced his departure in 2018.
Since then, the names of many big British actors have been mentioned, yet there have been no official announcements yet.
Sam Heughan’s Bond Connection
Sam Heughan, the 38 year old Scottish actor known for his role as Jamie Fraser in Outlander, is the latest of names to be mentioned in connection to James Bond.
A source from The Mirror stated that the actor had been in talks with Bond producer, Barbara Broccoli. The source said:
‘It has been 36 years since there was a Scottish Bond in Sean Connery and producers are looking for someone to emulate that success’.
The source also added that Sam is an experienced actor with ‘a cheeky side’. They stated that this is appealing, as Bond bosses want the spy to have ‘more about him’ in the new films.
Who Else is In the Running to Be the New Bond?
Heughen may have auditioned to play Bond before, going up against Daniel Craig for his role in Casino Royale, but he isn’t the only actor said to have been considered for the role.
Other names in the running include The Bodyguard’s Richard Madden, Luther’s Idris Elba and Thor’s Tom Hiddleston.
What Are Sam Heughan’s Odds?
Since Daniel Craig’s announcement that he would be leaving the franchise, UK bookmakers and mobile slot sites have been quick to offer odds on who may replace him.
Sadly for Sam Heughan, however, he doesn’t currently look to be the bookies’ favourite. Check out the current odds on who will be the next Bond below:
• Tom Hiddleston – 3/1
• Richard Madden – 4/1
• Cillian Murphy – 4/1
• James Norton – 5/1
• Tom Hardy – 6/1
• Idris Elba - 6/1
• Any Female -12/1
• Sam Heughan – 100/1
Other outsiders include Kit Harington, Rizwan Ahmed, Olivia Coleman and Daniel Kaluuya.
When Will the Next Bond Film Be Released?
Filming on the unnamed 25th Bond film began this week in Norway. The film, which will be Daniel Craig’s last, is set to be released in 2020.
This gives producers plenty of time to replace Craig, and plenty of time for more actors’ names to be dragged into the conversation.
