James Bond: Daniel Craig’s successor to be female? Odds SLASHED on gender-swap 007

There has continuously been speculation over whether or not a woman would be cast in the role of 007, but the frontrunners to replace Daniel Craig have always been male.

That could change in the near future, though, as bookmakers Ladbrokes dramatically cut the odds of James Bond’s next incarnation being female.

The company now lists odds of 10/1 on any female actress being the next to play the iconic agent, down from 16/1.

The favourites for now remain unchanged: James Norton and Tom Hardy, both on 3/1.

Jessica Bridge, spokesperson for Ladbrokes, admitted that the chances are still relatively slim on anyone other than a male actor winning the part.

“It is a little outdated in this day and age that there hasn’t been a female playing Bond yet, but despite the odds being slashed, it still seems an outside shot history will be made for the next 007 instalment,” she said.

One possibility that has been discussed amongst fans is that the female lead in the next Bond movie will get her own spin-off; thus creating a new series of films following Bond’s female equivalent – but not a female spin on Bond himself.

For now, Craig is set to play 007 one last time, in the movie that is due out in November 2019 – unless, as suspected, it gets delayed.

Little is known by way of casting for other parts, but Lily James has been linked to a role, with Angelina Jolie tipped to potentially play the villain.

Even The Only Way Is Essex star Ferne McCann has thrown her hat in the ring, after having encouraging meetings with other Hollywood producers.

“Two years ago, I was going to do a film and I met with [a] producer and it was all very exciting and then obviously I fell pregnant,” she told OK!.

“[They] got back in touch and yeah, there’s definitely something for a new film so that’s so exciting. Really exciting!”

She added: “I’d love to play a Bond villain, that would be so cool.”

Bond was last seen in 2015, in the film Spectre.