Richard Madden Emerges as Potential James Bond Contender
Odds for the 'Game of Thrones' actor have been significantly shortened by bookmakers as speculation about the next 007 continues.
Richard Madden has become a notable contender to portray the next James Bond, with bookmakers sharply reducing his odds. The Scottish actor, who gained fame for his role as Robb Stark in the HBO series "Game of Thrones," is now being considered for the iconic 007 role.
According to William Hill, Madden's odds have shifted from 40/1 to 14/1, placing him in the running to succeed Daniel Craig. Currently, Jack Lowden remains the favorite at 4/6, with Callum Turner close behind at 3/1. Jacob Elordi is listed at 8/1, followed by Jack O'Connell and Josh O'Connor at 12/1.
"Richard Madden has made a huge move in our next James Bond betting, going from 40/1 into 14/1 to emerge as a potential contender for one of cinema's most iconic roles," said Lee Phelps, a spokesperson for William Hill. "Madden's move adds another interesting name to the mix, but Lowden continues to lead the way as speculation over who will become the next 007 continues."
Last month, screenwriter Steven Knight revealed that the next James Bond has already been cast. Knight, who is writing the new Bond script, stated on Radio 4 that the casting process involves finding the right character for the role, rather than writing for a specific actor. He described the Bond universe as a distinct entity within cinema, separate from the DC or Marvel franchises.
Speculation surrounding Daniel Craig's successor intensified in May when Amazon MGM Studios announced that auditions were underway. The task of casting the next Bond falls to casting director Nina Gold and director Denis Villeneuve. Meanwhile, presenter Richard Osman has also shared that he has heard a name for the role, suggesting Jack Lowden is being strongly considered. Osman noted that Lowden, at 36, possesses the potential longevity for the role and could deliver "real Daniel Craig energy."