James bond: new 007 shock as chances of controversial casting increase

James Bond fans are on tenterhooks waiting to find out who will replace Daniel Craig when he departs as 007. Now, odds have been slashed on the next Bond being a woman. In a shock update,

bookmakers Ladbrokes have cut odds on any female getting the part from 12-1 to 8-1. The matter of whether James Bond should be played by a woman has caused much controversy already, with

stars and fans alike wading into the heated debate. The Living Daylights actor John Rhys-Davies, who played General Leonid Pushkin opposite Timothy Dalton back in 1987, exclusively told

Express.co.uk his “heart quakes” at the idea of Ian Fleming’s character being recast as a female. “That would seem to me to be not quite what the author originally intended,” he admitted.

However, he also conceded an actor’s job wasn’t to challenge what the audience wanted, quoting Samuel Johnson when he said: “But, ‘The drama’s law’s, the patrons give, for we that live to

please, must please to live.’ And that’s the rule for it all.” READ MORE: WILL QUEEN FINALLY DO THE JAMES BOND SONG WITHOUT FREDDIE MERCURY? Meanwhile, former 007 star Pierce Brosnan has

said it would be “exhilarating and exciting” to have a female Bond. However, a woman taking over still looks less likely than some of male frontrunners signing up as the new Bond. According

to Ladbrokes, it’s a three-horse race at the head of the market for the iconic role at the moment, with James Norton, Richard Madden and Tom Hiddleston joint favourite. All three are

currently priced at 4-1 and their names have been on fans lips since Craig was revealed to be stepping down. Elsewhere, while details about Craig’s final appearance in No Time To Die are

being kept tightly under wraps by movie bosses, Producer Barbara Broccoli has teased what’s in store when it comes to new villain Safin (played by Rami Malek). Broccoli told Empire the team

had “thrown the book” at the new bad guy, adding: “He is really the super villain. “He’s the one that really gets under Bond’s skin. He’s a nasty piece of work.” According to The Sun, Safin

is set to be an eco-conscious villain, with a source telling the publication: “The baddie’s lair apparently has a giant algae farm. “Something like that would look very sinister and green so

will look great on screen. “Quite how it will impact Bond only the scriptwriters can know but fans will be keen to find out,” they added. While there is speculation the next Bond could be a

woman, there are also reports the position of 007 has been filled by Lashana Lynch’s character, with Craig’s opening the movie retired and enjoying a quiet life in Jamaica. _NO TIME TO DIE

WILL BE RELEASED IN UK CINEMAS APRIL 3 2020._