In the wake of reports that Daniel Craig has told movie studio MGM that he "is done" with playing James Bond despite a £68m offer to star in two more films, the rumour mill about his likely successor has cranked up again.
The latest name to be linked with the iconic role is none other than Billy Elliot star, Jamie Bell.
Although Tom Hiddleson, Idris Elba and Irishman Aidan Turner look like the runaway favourites to become the next 007, producers are keen to cast the net as wide as possible before deciding on a successor to Craig.
Reports say that Bell has spoken to Bond producers about the possibility of becoming the new MI6 agent .Executive producer Barbara Broccoli is said to have been impressed by the actor's work in the upcoming movie Stars Don't Die in Liverpool which she has also produced.
"Barbara has been a fan of Jamie for a long time and has even thought about him playing another role in the franchise before," a source stated.
Although Bell shot to fame with Billy Elliot, he's made a name for himself in recent years with big franchise movies such as Fantastic Four, while he's also taken on edgier roles such as Lars Von Triers Nymphomaniac.
Recently there was a flurry of bets placed on The Night Manager and Thor star Hiddleston becoming the next Bond after he was reportedly seen meeting SPECTRE director Sam Mendes and 007 producer Barbara Broccoli.
He was understandably cautious about all the rumours when he was asked about it recently The Graham Norton Show saying, "The position isn’t vacant as far as I’m aware. No one has talked to me about it."
“I think the rumours have come about because in The Night Manager I play a spy and people have made the link.”
Mind you all the speculation hasn't stopped some actors having a bit of fun with the whole thing. X Files and The Fall star Gillian Anderson threw her hat into the ring after a recent Tweet where she said she would love to take on the role as the first female Bond.
Anderson wrote "It's Bond, Jane Bond" beside a mocked up image of herself as the famous spy.
It's Bond. Jane Bond.
— Gillian Anderson (@GillianA) May 21, 2016
Thanks for all the votes! (And sorry, don't know who made poster but I love it!) #NextBond pic.twitter.com/f8GC4ZuFgL
Although clearly tongue in cheek it certainly kept the internet busy with plenty of people lending her their support.
Oooooo I love that idea of Gillian Anderson for Bond omg
— eliza (@allwalshedout) May 20, 2016
"Bond. James Bond."
"James?"
"Jamie. But everyone calls me James."
IM GOING TO SELL MY SOUL TO SATAN FOR GILLIAN AS THE FIRST FEMALE BOND HAPPEN
— vale (@r4ulsonfeels) May 21, 2016
if gillian anderson was the next james bond i would be so happy
— special agent tom ! (@giIlianscully) May 21, 2016
