James Bond: NEW joint favourites to replace Daniel Craig – it's NOT Tom Hiddleston anymore

Daniel Craig is currently at work on what is believed to be his final James Bond movie, due out in cinemas in April next year. Across recent months, Hiddleston had been the narrow favourite with bookies to take over thereafter, but the ever-changing market has shifted again, with two other former favourites returning to the top of the list.

Idris Elba and Richard Madden are back at the summit after both of their respective odds were shortened.

Punters, it seems, are continuing to back them – despite Elba saying on numerous occasions that he won’t be the next 007.

With Ladbrokes, they are on 3/1 apiece, with Hiddleston a hairline behind on 4/1.

Cillian Murphy, James Norton and Tom Hardy follow with odds of 5/1, 6/1 and 7/1 respectively.

Damien Lewis is also quietly picking up momentum on 10/1.

A spokesperson said: “Plenty have headed the betting over the last few years in the race to be the next Bond, but as things stand it’s Idris Elba and Richard Madden who lead the way.”

The job will be one of the most sought-after in the industry, with Marvel star Chris Hemsworth saying recently that he too would “love” to be considered.

“When we were shooting Rush someone had said [he could be Bond] and I thought, ‘Cool, if this is my audition tape, then great,’” he told Balance magazine.

“I don’t think you’ll ever meet anyone who doesn’t want to have a crack at James Bond. I’d love to do it.”

He added: “But that’s up to so many elements and is way beyond myself; it’s not one you can pitch yourself on to either.

“It’s something that the community of Bond fans, Barbara Broccoli and the whole crew there agree on, and it has to be a very organic decision from them.

“There have been a lot of names thrown out there and a lot of brilliant people can tackle that one.”

James Bond 25 is out on April 8, 2020.