Damian Lewis is new favourite to play Bond. Who else could be 007?
Betting appears to be a popular pastime among the British and not just on sporting fixtures.
A perennial favourite to have a flutter on is the identity of the next James Bond.
The role is currently occupied by Daniel Craig.
It has been speculated that a large bet on actor Damien Lewis taking on the 007 role has led to a rush of people putting money on the possibility of a ginger Bond.
Bookmakers have slashed the odds on Lewis though he should still be seen as an outsider, along with the other much-touted Bond replacement Idris Elba.
But these bets for Lewis are either incredibly astute or incredibly ill-thought-out.
Lewis rose to prominence when he portrayed the war hero turned terrorist Nicholas Brody on Showtime's Homeland.
Yes, he has a positive going for him in that he can carry off that look. Essentially, look mean in a suit.
He proved as much in last year's feature-length Jaguar commercial.
But there are more minuses. Namely his age. Lewis is 44.
With one installment due out in November with Spectre, Daniel Craig is contracted for one more Bond film – his fifth.
The earliest that could possibly arrive is two years – 2017. And going off the track record, just two years would be a miracle.
So even if the role became free in 2018, that would put Lewis at 47, the age Craig is now. Not the best age to hopefully get at least three or four more films into the franchise.
Maybe we will never know why Lewis' name came up.
But if Lewis isn't quite the right fit then who is? Here are some actors who we think would make good Bonds.
Henry Cavill
He's certainly got the looks and more importantly knows what it's like to step into the shoes of an iconic character.
Back when Zack Snyder's Man of Steel was still in its casting stages, Cavill found himself in the running to play America's most famous superhero. He eventually landed the role to become the first British actor to play Superman.
This isn't the first time he's up for the role of Bond as well. The 32-year-old lost out to Craig in 2005 as he was deemed too young to play the spy.
Ten years on, Cavill is at the peak of his career and will reprise his role as Superman in the upcoming Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League movies.
He's also the star of film remake of the 1964 TV series The Man From U.N.C.L.E. in which he plays US agent Napolean Solo.
Of course, U.N.C.L.E.was inspired by Bond's first flush of success.
Imagine having "Played Superman and James Bond" on your resume. But the Superman gig would have to crash spectacularly in order for Cavill to be free enough for the Bond franchise.
Kit Harington
Harington may seem an odd choice. He's still going to be known as Jon Snow in Game of Thrones for some time to come.
He has spent his time on the show in furs hanging around in mud and snow and kicking it with wolves - not very Bond.
No cars, no guns and very little glamour.
But Jon Snow isn't the only character Harington has played. He flexes his espionage muscles rather effectively in this year's Spooks: The Greater Good.
He has charmed thousands of girls worldwide every time he appears on screen.
At 28, he could play Bond for at least 15 years.
A young and proven actor who already has a massive following, maybe he deserves a shot.
Just one issue, KIt. Are you married to the beard? Can his face still look good scruff free?
Tom Hardy
Whether he's playing the villainous Bane or smooth-talking Eames in Inception, Hardy always gives his absolute best.
He gives every character he plays that special touch so, even when he's breaking someon'es back (or face), part of you will still want to root for him.
To play Bond, you've got to have style and Hardy isn't lacking in this department. He was named one of GQ's 50 Best Dressed Men of 2015 in January.
Even fashion designer Donatella Versace is a fan, saying: "Tom Hardy is everything I love in a man - handsome, charismatic, dangerous. He wears suits in a way that makes you want to see what's underneath, which is how tailoring should be, right?"
But can Hardy be tied to a franchise? And isn't he too big for Bond by now?
Part Connery, part Craig. and with a touch of Roger Moore.
Sources: The Independent, GQ
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