James Bond odds HALVED on THIS Irish star – Huge favourite to replace Daniel Craig

While the final Craig outing keeps being pushed back, all eyes are already looking to the future. One star is currently playing a massive blinder in the race to replace the current incumbent. After a long period with the same names at the top, suddenly one man is receiving more bets than any other and his odds have just been slashed yet again. A new name is getting everyone shaken and stirred, and would certainly bring a darker and edgier side to the classic British hero.

After the top dogs of Elba, Hiddleston and Hardy lead the James Bond pack throughout 2018, Richard Madden surged through following his Bodyguard triumph. But another major TV star has leapfrogged the ranks in the last few weeks.

Betway and Ladbrokes have both just announced new odds for Cillian Murphy.

Betway has him in third and closing fast on Richard Madden and Tom Hiddleston. A spokesman said: “He’s stood as a quietly fancied 7/1 shot over the past few months but his odds have more than halved this morning and is now no bigger than 100/30. Only current market leaders Richard Madden and Tom Hiddleston, both 2/1, are higher up the pecking order. With the new season of Peaky Blinders just around the corner, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see his current 100/30 shorten even more.”

Ladbrokes agreed and said: “Cillian Murphy is attracting a lot of interest in the Bond betting. At this rate, it won’t be long before he heads the market.”

They have Tom Hiddleston on 3/1 and James Norton at 4/1, followed by Richard Madden on 4/1.

Just behind them, Cillian Murphy has joined former favourites Idris Elba and Tom Hardy on 5/1 as their stars fade and his rises.

Peaky Blinders will be back on TV screens this summer with another two seasons now promised.

With the release date for Bond 25 moving back again to April 8 next year, it means his replacement is unlikely to make his debut until at least 2022, if not even later.

Two more seasons of Peaky Blinders would take the show and its leading man into 2021, the perfect time to start preparing a transition to the biggest role in cinema.

JAMES BOND 25 WILL BE RELEASED ON APRIL 8, 2020