James Bond: Henry Cavill’s odds SLASHED on replacing Daniel Craig after ‘Superman exit’

Yesterday claims spread that Cavill’s time as Superman may be coming to an end, as part of attempts to revitalise the struggling DCEU.

Despite doubts this morning that his exit is set in stone, it’s been announced that his odds of playing 007 have been slashed by bookies.

Cavill was already a mid-level contender for the job but he’s now been cut right down to 8/1 by Ladbrokes – after previously being out at 14/1.

This puts him ahead of Bodyguard star Richard Madden, also the focus of much recent speculation; and on par with long-time contender Tom Hiddleston.

“Reports suggesting Cavill will leave Warner Bros have left us with no choice but to slash odds on him playing another of Hollywood’s biggest names,” the bookmaker’s spokesperson Alex Apati said.

Tom Hardy remains the favourite to replace Craig on 2/1, with Idris Elba close behind on 4/1.

James Norton follows on 11/2, while Cavill, Hiddleston and Jack Huston are on 8/1.

Aidan Turner has odds of 10/1 alongside Madden, while Sam Heughan – the Outlander star who was recently in The Spy Who Dumped Me – is also on 10/1.

Punters can back any female actor at 12/1.

Co-incidentally, it was Bond who was a point of reference in The Hollywood Reporter’s original report suggesting Cavill was out as Superman.

“Superman is like James Bond, and after a certain run you have to look at new actors,” a studio source told the US publication.

For the time being, however, Daniel Craig very much remains in the role of the iconic British spy.

His fifth and presumably final outing as 007 has yet to start production, and could be pushed back from its late 2019 release date after the shock departure of director Danny Boyle last month.

With no replacement announced just yet, it seems Craig’s tenure could last a little longer than anticipated.

What’s more, Bond boss Barbara Broccoli has allegedly reconsidered her plans to kill off his incarnation of the secret agent – leaving the door open for him to remain in the franchise even longer.

For now, Bond 25 remains set for a November 2019 release.