Daniel Craig has reportedly been offered an extremely lucrative paycheck if he signs on to return as James Bond for two more instalments of the franchise.
According to US celebrity website RadarOnline, Sony has offered the English actor $150 million to reprise his role as the suave 007 agent.
A source said: "The studio is desperate to secure the actor’s services while they phase in a younger long-term successor."
They added that the 48-year-old star, who has played Bond since 2006's Casino Royale, "has played a genuis hand" in speaking openly about wanting to move on from the character.
"Everyone knows how much executives adore him, and the idea of losing him at such a crucial time in the franchise isn’t an option as far as all the studio honchos are concerned," the source said.
"Daniel’s the key for a seamless, safe transition as far as Sony and Bond bosses are concerned, and they’re prepared to pay a king’s ransom to make it happen."
In October 2015, Craig told Time Out magazine that it was time to move on, saying: "I’m over it at the moment. We’re done. All I want to do is move on.
"For at least a year or two, I just don't want to think about it. If I did another Bond movie, it would only be for the money."
According to the source, Sony is planning to shoot two more films "virtually back-to-back, preferably featuring Daniel as 007 before he passes the figurative baton to someone else for a third movie that will mark the start of the new era."
Rumours have been swirling over who could possibly take over from Craig, with Irish actor Aidan Turner, Tom Hiddleston and Idris Elba among the top contenders.
