James Bond: Is Sam Heughan REALLY in line to replace Daniel Craig? Odds revealed

Bookies, however, still tell a different story. It had been claimed over the weekend that Heughan has “received a call from producers” asking him to audition; with a UK newspaper suggesting the Outlander actor is the top bosses’ ideal age (32) to take on the part. This comes after he previously auditioned post-Pierce Brosnan, but was deemed too young at the time. But he’s still an outsider with bookmakers.

“It has been 36 years since there was a Scottish Bond in Sean Connery and producers are looking for someone to emulate that success,” a source had told the Mail On Sunday.

“Sam is an experienced actor, he’s in great shape and he has a cheeky side which is appealing as the bosses want Bond to have more to him.”

He is still a long way down the list with many bookies, despite reports – indicating punters haven’t been rushing to put money on him bagging the role as the next James Bond.

In fact, with William Hill, he is still well adrift at 100/1.

His shortest odds at present, according to Oddschecker, are 50/1 with Ladbrokes.

That puts him behind multiple other contenders, such as Jack Huston (33/1), Michael Fassbender (33/1), Henry Cavill (16/1), and Idris Elba (6/1).

The frontrunners are still Tom Hiddleston (3/1), Cillian Murphy (4/1), Richard Madden (4/1) and James Norton (5/1).

But with Daniel Craig still only just beginning work on his next movie, the chances are we are still a long way away from a decision being made.

Bond 25, rumoured to have the working title of Eclipse, is rumoured to have already begun principle photography in Norway.

This is despite the fact that stars such as Ralph Fiennes and Ben Whishaw have recently said they hadn’t received the script.

Full casting, as well as the official title, is yet to be announced, but will likely arrive in the very near future. Cary Joji Fukunaga is directing.

Bond 25 is out on April 8, 2020.