A favourite to take on the role of James Bond has crushed fans hopes he will be the next 007.
Netflix heartthrob Leo Woodall is one of the hotly tipped contenders to step into Daniel Craig’s shoes for Bond’s next outing alongside the likes of Theo James and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.
Handsome Woodall, 27, broke fans’ hearts as the troubled yet charismatic Dexter in the streaming platform’s adaptation of David Nicholls’ One Day earlier this year.
But those hoping to see him take his martini shaken, not stirred, are out of luck after The White Lotus star appeared on Lorraine alongside his castmates in the latest Bridget Jones films.
‘I asked my agents awhile ago if there was anything in it (the Bond rumours) and they went “we haven’t heard anything about it”. So I think it’s one of those rumours spawned from nothing,’ he revealed.
James Bond’s tuxedo and licence to kill have been waiting to be inherited since Daniel Craig’s final turn as 007 in 2021’s No Time To Die.
Since then – and even before – there have been numerous British actors said to be in the running, from fan-favourite Venom actor Tom Hardy to The Witcher star Henry Cavill, Oppenheimer Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy and Poldark’s Aidan Turner.
In recent months, Aaron Taylor-Johnson has been the hot favourite, sending the rumour mill into overdrive over his possible involvement with the franchise, ever since it was reported in December 2022 that he had apparently shot the classic 007 gun barrel sequence that appears in the official opening for every Bond movie.
However, odds previously put Woodall firmly in the running – even above a past favourite.
According to betideas.com, the star – who next appears in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy alongside Renée Zellweger – was placed at 7/1 to replace Daniel Craig, putting him sixth in the list and alongside some of the long-standing favourites.
He previously broke through in US crime drama Snowfall and will next be seen in the untitled F1 drama alongside Brad Pitt, Sir Lewis Hamilton and Javier Bardem.
‘The search for our next James Bond was seemingly a foregone conclusion following reports Aaron Taylor-Johnson had been offered the role a few months back, but a period of elongated silence has had punters speculating if there’s another twist in the tale,’ commented betideas.com’s spokesperson Lee Astley said at the time.
‘That twist may come in the form of Leo Woodall, with the actor gaining popularity in the betting following his stint in The White Lotus and One Day.
‘Woodall is a new addition to the market at 7/1 – instantly placing him among the favourites for the role.’
The actor’s profile will certainly go stratospheric in 2025 regardless, when he appears in the fourth Bridget Jones film, where he plays the widow’s toyboy love interest, Roxster.
Frontrunner Johnson offered a blunt response at the end of 2024 when asked about the possibility of him taking on the Bond role.
‘Another character everyone is dying to see you as is Bond. What do you make of that suggestion that fans have?’ Entertainment Tonight asked an amused-looking Johnson.
After a quick chuckle, he replied: ‘I would say come see Kraven because that’s what’s out this weekend and it’s not going to disappoint. I promise you that, guys.’
This article was first published on June 13, 2024.
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