James Bond: Why Richard Madden is NOT about to be announced as Daniel Craig’s replacement

In the last few days, Bodyguard star Madden has shot up the bookmakers’ odds in the race to replace Daniel Craig as James Bond.

Such a sudden move seems to have had its genesis in rumours from The Mail on Sunday.

The outlet reported: “It is understood that Barbara Broccoli, the executive producer at Eon Productions who has the final say on all Bond characters, is likely to approach Madden in the next few days.”

Their source said: “It’s seriously looking like he [Madden] is going to get the job.”

They added: “Not only is he on top of Barbara’s list, but she is preparing to offer the role.”

As exciting a rumour as this may sound, Bond fans should take such claims with a huge grain of salt.

After all, the incumbent Bond still has one more movie to go, so why would producers be announcing a new star?

Following a production delay thanks to Cary Fukunaga replacing Danny Boyle as director, Bond 25 won’t start shooting until March 2019.

Nor will the film hit cinemas until February 2020, which is well over a year away.

With this in mind, it’s highly unlikely that Bond producers will begin auditioning for Craig’s replacement until at least 2022 at the very earliest.

After all, the incumbent Bond wasn’t announced until three years after Pierce Brosnan’s Die Another Day had hit cinemas.

Of course, it’s entirely possible that Broccoli has actors in the back of her mind, but the focus, for now, will be on Craig and Bond 25.

A similar frenzy occurred around Idris Elba in August when director Antoine Fuqua claimed James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli wanted a non-white actor after the 50-year-old star bows out.

Antoine said: “Idris could do it if he was in shape. You need a guy with a physically strong presence. Idris has that.”

Elba jokingly tweeted, “My name’s Elba, Idris Elba” in response, but has since clarified he is not about to become the next Bond.

Daniel Craig’s Bond 25 will be released in cinemas on February 14, 2020.