James Bond favorite Richard Madden has responded to rumors he will replace Daniel Craig after Bond 25.
The Game of Thrones and Bodyguard star is currently the bookies’ first choice to replace Craig as the heartthrob super-spy with odds of 2-1. In fact, Madden is ahead of other favorites to take up the licence to kill, heading a field has ranged from Tom Hiddleston and Idris Elba to James Norton and Tom Hardy.
Personally, I think he is the best choice by far!
Currently, the 32-year-old co-stars opposite Taron Egerton in the Elton John biopic Rocketman, playing John Reid, the rock legend’s manager and boyfriend in the early- to mid-’70’s.
When asked about all those 007 rumors 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 at this point and I’m sure next week it’ll be someone different.”
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.
