James Bond Casting News, Rumors: Damian Lewis Set to Replace Daniel Craig as 007?
Actor Daniel Craig will no longer play the iconic British super spy James Bond in after the next film, according to reports. The 47-year-old English actor debuted for the role in 2005 in "Casino Royale" and will appear for his last Bond film in this year's "Spectre."
Rumors now say that the 007 badge will be passed on to "Homeland" star Damian Lewis, who is now in favorable odds among U.K. bookmakers.
A report from The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Lewis was previously at 25/1 odds to fill the role. He is now up to a 3/1 shot which now places him in a top spot among other reported contenders like Tom Hardy (4/1), Henry Cavill (5/1), and Michael Fassbender (7/1).
"This is an unprecedented gamble, as for no apparent reason we have seen bets of up to £200 [$312] on Damian Lewis being named as the next Bond. This could well be significant and might herald the end of Daniel Craig as the world's most famous spy," the bookmaker told the publication.
Yet another bookkeeping firm was cited by E! Online speaking about the matter.
"Bets have been placed on him succeeding Daniel Craig," a representative from British bookmaker William Hill told The Telegraph. "This is an unprecedented gamble, as for no apparent reason we have seen bets of up to £200 on Damian Lewis being named as the next Bond. This might well be significant."
Lewis hinted to the press previously about his desire to play the famous MI6 agent when he "jokingly" pointed out the Scottish heritage outlined in 2012's "Skyfall." That "paved way perfectly for a red-headed Bond," he joked.
