After numerous bets on Damien Lewis taking on the highly coveted James Bond role surfaced online, bookmakers have slashed the odds that the ‘Homeland’ star will become the next 007.
According to William Hill, one of the largest bookmakers in the U.K., Lewis has the most chances of following Daniel Craig as the famous British spy amid rumors that the upcoming movie ‘Spectre’ might be the 47-year-old actor’s last stint as Bond.
Lewis has now become the most favorite actor for the role and is ahead of fellow actor-contenders Idris Elba, Tom Hardy, Henry Cavill and Michael Fassbender.
Craig is believed to have been in negotiations for one more film after ‘Spectre’ but could eventually say goodbye to the movie franchise if Sam Mendes’ comeback for directorial duties proves as triumphant as his last record-breaking film ‘Skyfall’, which has raked in over $1 billion in the global box office.
The Oscar-winning filmmaker’s second ‘007’ movie is highly anticipated to become one of the year’s biggest and most special releases.
Elba, who is famous for starring in crime drama shows such as ‘The Wire’ and ‘Luther’, had reportedly become the top contender to take on the British spy role. However, he previously shared that he had already given up on having any chance on being contacted by the ‘007’ production company Eon.
“If there was ever any chance of me getting Bond, it’s gone,” Elba said, opening up about the old speculation that was “really starting to eat itself”.
Meanwhile, MGM and Sony have unveiled a new video, showing the behind-the-scenes set of ‘Spectre’ which confirms that the upcoming movie’s opening sequence takes place at the Day of the Dead festival in Mexico City.
“I wanted the audience to be dropped right into the middle of a very, very specific, very heady, rich environment,” director Mendes explained. “It’s the Day of the Dead, everywhere you look there’s color and detail and life. We’ve built floats and maquettes, the costumes are extraordinary and the craftsmanship is amazing.”
Released as the 24th official Bond movie, ‘Spectre’ brings forth Craig opposite Oscar-winning actor Christoph Waltz as potential villain Franz Oberhauser. They are joined by Monica Bellucci, Léa Seydoux and Stephanie Sigman.
Ralph Fiennes makes a comeback as the new M while Naomie Harris and Ben Whishaw reprise their roles as Moneypenny and Q, respectively.
Set for an official release on Nov. 6, 2017, the upcoming adventure follows 007 paying an action-packed visit in Mexico City, Rome and Sölden in the Austrian Alps.
