James Bond: Will Idris Elba be the next James Bond? Latest odds

The James Bond franchise has withstood the test of time.

But a Danny Boyle shaped spanner has been thrown into the works of the next instalment of the 007 movies.

With Daniel Craig set to give his last performance as Bond, Bond 25 is now director-less.

What this means for the franchise, and for Bond 25 specifically, is anyone’s bet.

Will Idris Elba be the next James Bond? What are the latest odds?

Idris Elba has repeatedly denied rumours he will appear as James Bond once Daniel Craig drinks his final martini.

During the premiere of Elba’s movie Yardie, he was asked by Good Morning Britain reporter Divya Kohli if she was looking at the next 007.

Elba’s answer? A cold, flat “No”.

However, Elba’s own debunking of these rumours has had little ramification on the odds for the next actor to take over Bond.

Here are Ladbrokes latest odds:

Idris Elba – 6/5

Tom Hardy – 4/1

James Norton – 11/2

Tom Hiddleston – 8/1

Jack Huston – 8/1

Sam Heughan – 8/1

Aidan Turner – 9/1

Cillian Murphy – 10/1

With Bond 25 in the lurch for a director, many are wondering if Craig will reevaluate his decision to step into the Astin Martin one last time.

Bond 25 was meant to start filming at Pinewood Studios this December, but with Danny Boyle leaving the project, the release date could be pushed back.

The “creative differences” which sparked Boyle’s exit have looming impacts on the screenplay.

When Boyle took the project on, he brought with him the Trainspotting screenwriter John Hodge.

Will Hodge’s script be scraped along with Boyle?

If Hodge’s vision is scraped, Bond 25 can rever to the original script, written by Bond screenwriting regulars Neal Purvis and Robert Wade.

However, casting and pre-production of the Boyle and Hodge vision has already begun.

Producer Barbara Broccoli has not let any details slip of the direction of Bond 25 and rumour loves a void.

One of the more audacious rumours is Idris Elba stepping in to replace Craig – but not for Bond 26, for the currently underway Bond 25.

If we are to believe Elba, he won’t be playing 007 at all, but the odds have yet to reflect his definitive statement.