James Bond favourite Richard Madden SPEAKS on replacing Daniel Craig ‘done deal’ rumours

The Game of Thrones and Bodyguard star is currently the bookies’ favourite to replace Craig as James Bond with odds of 2-1. In fact, Madden is ahead of other favourites to take up the Licence to Kill from Tom Hiddleston and Idris Elba to James Norton and Tom Hardy. Now the 32-year-old stars in Elton John biopic Rocketman, opposite Egerton, and was asked about all those 007 rumours at the Cannes Film Festival press conference. Madden’s Bond odds were read out to him, before being asked by a journalist if replacing Craig was a “done deal”.

Despite the encouragement from Egerton next to him, a bashful Madden was adamant it was nothing but speculation.

He said: “It’s very flattering to be involved in that conversation at all.

“But it’s all just talk and I’m sure next week it’ll be someone different.”

Madden has given similar answers before and it shouldn’t be that surprising.

After all, Craig is currently shooting his fifth and final Bond movie for an April 2020 release date, so his replacement is hardly a priority right now.

Plus, Bond producer Barbara Broccoli has made it clear she wants to persuade Craig to stay on for a sixth film.

According to GMB’s Ross King: “When I was asking her about it [being Daniel’s final Bond film], she said, ‘I’m in complete denial’. She is a very powerful lady, as we all know.

“Maybe don’t count out the fact that he might come back for just one more.”

Meanwhile, Moneypenny star Naomie Harris has said Craig may still do another 007 movie after Bond 25.

Speaking with The Independent, she said: “Daniel has never said that [Bond 25 is his last film], so we don’t know.”

“It’s still open – who knows? Genuinely I think he doesn’t know. Nobody does.

“It depends on this film and if people turn out and are like, ‘We want Daniel’ – which I think they will – then he may well be back for another one.”

Bond 25 will be released in UK cinemas on April 3, 2020.