Coral, the UK company that says if you can put odds against something, the people will punt, have decided to suspend betting on who will be the next James Bond, after a surge in bets on Tom Hiddleston taking the role.
The Night Manager star’s odds skyrocketed to 2-1 seemingly overnight, putting him as the frontrunner for Daniel Craig’s replacement in the franchise. On top of that, it’s been reported a disproportionally large gamble was placed on Hiddleston slashing his odds to 1-2, leaving the bookmakers pretty damn sure about the cat being out out of the bag.
“There’s no smoke without fire, and following the big gamble on Tom Hiddleston in the last 24 hours, we’ve had no choice but to pull the plug on the market,” said Coral spokesperson Nicola McGeady, reports The Guardian. “Earlier in the year there was a gamble on Idris Elba and Damian Lewis, but nothing has come close to the recent gamble on Hiddleston.”
And fire there was. Hiddleston was allegedly seen fraternizing with Bond film director Sam Mendes and producer Barbara Broccoli in London. Also, like a douse of petrol to said fire, Hiddleston plays a spy in his latest role in The Night Manager, the actor alluded to this during an interview with Graham Norton.
“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.”
Luther‘s Idris Elba was a serious contender for a moment, however, his odds at the time of close were 9-1. Damian Lewis from Homeland was another viable option as was Aidan Turner from Poldark and the mumbling Mad Max himself Tom Hardy.
Of course, the Bond creators haven’t said zip about who will play 007 in the next instalment. Plus, Daniel Craig hasn’t actually quit.
It sure is coming to a head though. At the recent BAFTAs, Hiddleston and Elba joke fought about their rivalry for the role in front of cameras. However Elba, who’s been a Bond favourite for a while now has all but given up hope in landing the role, telling The UK’s Daily Tele:
“I’m probably the most famous Bond actor in the world, and I’ve not even played the role. Enough is enough. I can’t talk about it any more.”
