Next Bond favourite – ‘It was Daniel Craig or me for Casino Royale’

Speculation over who will replace Daniel Craig as James Bond is rife, well over a year since he bowed out as 007 in No Time To Die. Since then, the 60th anniversary celebrations for the franchise have passed, but still no news. All we know from Barbara Broccoli is that production on the reboot won’t start for at least two years, but that hasn’t stopped fans from guessing who they’ll cast next.As it stands, joint favourites at the bookies are Rege-Jean Page and Henry Cavill. Just behind them are James Norton and Aidan Turner on 4-1, Tom Hardy on 6-1 and Jack Lowden on 7-1. Further back are Idris Elba and Richard Madden on 8-1. But did you know that one of these men was beaten to playing Bond by Craig last time around? Next James Bond favourite: ‘It was just down to Daniel Craig or me for Casino Royale’ (Image: GETTY) Daniel Craig at his James Bond casting reveal in 2005 (Image: GETTY) Henry Cavill channels James Bond in The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (Image: WB) James Bond movies (Image: EXPRESS)Cavill, who famously was fat-shamed by Casino Royale director Martin Campbell at the audition added: ‘I probably wasn’t ready at the time and I think Daniel did an incredible job over the past movies, so I’m happy they made that choice. It was a fun adventure at the time, and definitely gave me a boost to my career. That was the key element of it.’Nevertheless, the star has had an incredible career with Superman and The Witcher, alongside a number of spy movies. But is he still within a chance of taking up the Licence to Kill?DON’T MISSJames Bond star Daniel Craig ‘couldn’t be prouder’ of surprise cameos [DANIEL CRAIG]James Bond star receives Royal Honour from Princess Anne [ROYAL]Next James Bond: Doctor Who star confesses ‘I’ve been on new 007 list’ [NEXT BOND]The bookies would say so, although pushing 40, Cavill is starting to get too old for the part when producer Michael G Wilson has said in recent weeks that they’re looking for a man in his thirties to play 007.Although, with news that he’s pulled out of Season 4 of The Witcher and been recast with Liam Hemsworth suggests he’s busy with other projects.Some may think this could be because of Bond, however recent news he’s returning to DC movies as Superman seems the more likely reason for leaving The Witcher and probably further cuts his chances of ever playing 007. But who knows? Fans will have to wait and see.