When it comes to picking the next James Bond, several names can always be found at the top of the list. From Henry Cavill to Tom Hardy to Idris Elba, a handful of actors have been the odds-on favorites for the role of 007 for some time. But a new name has now emerged, with Downton Abbey and The Guest star Dan Stevens storming into the top 5.
According to VegasInsider, which monitors and collates the odds data of several bookmakers, Stevens is currently ranked as the fifth most likely candidate to slip into the iconic tuxedo and wield and license to kill. Stevens is best known for roles in the likes of Downton Abbey, Legion, and Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities on the small screen, as well as The Guest, A Walk Among the Tombstones, and Beauty and the Beast on the big screen.
Ladbrokes currently has Stevens at odds of 8/1, tied with Eternals star Richard Madden. “The 40-year-old Londoner played Haller in FX Series Legion between 2017-19 and Russian singer Alexander Lemtov in 2020’s Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga,” the outlet says of Stevens’ chances. “However, it was his performance in 2014 thriller The Guest which first got tongues wagging. Stevens played a US soldier who visits a family and claims to be a friend of their son who died in combat in Afghanistan.”
At present, the current favorites for the role of James Bond remain the likes of Man of Steel and The Witcher star Henry Cavill and Bridgerton actor Regé-Jean Page both at 3/1, Little Women and The Nevers star James Norton at 9/2, and Venom star Tom Hardy at 6/1.
Henry Cavill Still Open to Playing James Bond
Despite recent rumors, James Bond producer Michael G. Wilson recently revealed that they are not looking for a younger actor to play 007. “We’ve tried looking at younger people in the past. But trying to visualize it doesn’t work. Remember, Bond’s already a veteran,” Wilson explained. “He’s had some experience. He’s a person who has been through the wars, so to speak. He’s probably been in the SAS or something. He isn’t some kid out of high school that you can bring in and start off. That’s why it works for a thirty-something.”
Which is good news for 39-year-old 007 favorite Henry Cavill, who has stated that he is still open to playing the role after losing out on 2006’s Casino Royale. "I love those guys, Barbara and Mike. I have very fond memories of having cocktails with them, I think at Mike's house once. I had a vesper martini with Barbara, which I thought was fitting because it was for Casino Royale,” the actor said. “It was a really, really fun time. And it was great to be in the mix of that stuff… Whether I'm considered for the role or not, I don't know, but it would be fun to have the conversation for sure, and if I'm not then I just want to see what they do with it next because I think they're amazing."
While we await further news of whom the next James Bond will be, Dan Stevens can next be seen leading the upcoming Godzilla vs. Kong sequel.