James Bond: Adrift star Sam Claflin joins race to replace Daniel Craig as 007

In December this year the 50-year-old incumbent James Bond starts shooting his fifth and final outing.

But after Bond 25 is released in October 2019, the hunt will be on for his replacement.

And now Adrift star Claflin’s name has been gathering some attention.

The 32-year-old star of Me Before You, The Hunger Games and Pirates of the Caribbean is currently 12/1 to replace Craig.

Incredibly Claflin is ahead of favourite Tom Hiddleston, who is down to 16/1

Nevertheless he has some stiff competition ahead of him in the race to replace Craig.

Justin Hartley is at 9/1, Idris Elba and Aidan Turner at 8/1, and Jack Huston at 7/1.

However Tom Hardy and James Norton remain the firm favourites at 3/1.

Whoever wins the role could be set to take on the License to Kill as early as 2022.

After all, that year marks the 60th anniversary of the Bond franchise.

James Bond 25 is released in UK cinemas on October 26, 2019.