The next James Bond saga has taken yet another turn as a beloved boyband icon has emerged as a wildcard choice for the iconic role.
Speculation on who will be succeed Daniel Craig has reached fever pitch since streaming giant Amazon took full creative control of the franchise in February.
Long-time producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli chose to step aside, leaving the franchise in the hands of Amazon MGM.
As the race to be 007 has intensified, a variety of left field names have been proposed along with the usual frontrunners.
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Relatively unknown Scottish actor Stuart Martin and almost total newcomer Mike Dickman have been recently quoted for the role.
However, research from FreeBets suggests One Direction’s Harry Styles has potential of as a wildcard next Bond.
“Harry Styles offers the best outside bet at 66/1,” the site wrote.
They added: “While unlikely, the pop star-turned-actor continues to intrigue fans with his evolving screen presence and charismatic charm.”
Styles first turned his acting in 2017 with Christopher Nolan’s war film Dunkirk, where he was praised for an understated performance that over not overshadowed by his stardom.
Since, he has appeared in Olivia Wilde’s much discussed thriller Don’t Worry Darling and 2022’s romantic drama My Policeman.
Elsewhere, long-time favourite Henry Cavill has now emerged as a strong favourite – whose odds of swooping the role have been slashed from 4/1 to a commanding 6/4.
The 41-year-old actor is now the “overwhelming” frontrunner to succeed Daniel Craig.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who long held the bookies top spot, has seen his chances “notably slipping” in recent weeks.
He follows being Cavill with 5/1 odds of becoming Bond, ahead of fellow frontrunners James Norton and Theo James on 8/1.
Taylor-Johnson’s spirits may yet be buoyed as former 007 Pierce Brosnan recently suggested he would “make a very fine Bond”.
Recalling working alongside a young Taylor-Johnson, Brosnan reflected: “He was so impressive then. He just had this charisma, he had this presence… so he would be good. But there’s many men on the list I’m sure.”