Will Daniel Craig quit the Bond franchise? Who could be the next 007?
FOLLOWING the announcement that the next James Bond movie has been put on hold, speculation has begun about how long Daniel Craig will stay in the role. A similar delay in Bond films, caused by a legal battle between EON and MGM after 1989's Licence to Kill, had prompted Timothy Dalton to drop out. He was replaced by Pierce Brosnan for the next instalment, 1995's GoldenEye.
Bookmakers William Hill have revealed the odds of Daniel Craig - the sixth Bond - staying with the franchise, as well as the various favourites that have emerged as his potential replacement.
The other frontrunner for the new Bond before Craig was picked was The Tudors star Henry Cavill, who was deemed too young at the time. Sam Worthington and Clive Owen were also considered. Aussie action star Worthington - seen in Terminator Salvation, Avatar and Clash of the Titans - is the bookies' favourite, with odds of 5/2 to replace Craig. Christian Bale and Will Smith both have 7/1 odds while you can also place your bets on the next 007 being Ewan McGregor (25/1), Jude Law or Robert Pattinson LMAO (both 33/1), or Tom Cruise (50/1).
William Hill believe Daniel Craig will probably do three more films (7/4) and there is an 8/1 chance he will leave the franchise. The odds of him doing two more 007 adventures are 2/1 and you can get 4/1 that Bond 23 will be his final time in the role.
According to the bookies, despite the delays Bond 23 is still likely to hit its targeted release date of 2011. Odds of just 1/9 are being offered on that, and 5/1 that the film is later than 2011.
EON Productions, run by Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson, halted the development of the untitled 23rd 007 adventure because of the financial difficulties faced by MGM. The studio has a $3.7billion (£2.4billion) debt and put itself up for sale in November but no buyer has been found.
Daniel Craig, who played the agent in Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, issued a statement saying: "I have every confidence in Barbara and Michael's decision and look forward to production resuming as quickly as possible."
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