Tom Hardy Rumored to Replace Daniel Craig as James Bond, But Is It True?

WithNo Time to Diemarking Daniel Craig’s fifth and final outing as Ian Flemings iconic spy, rumors are beginning to circulate thatMad Max: Fury Roadstar,Tom Hardy, has been chosen as his replacement. Now, full disclosure, the following should be taken with fist full of salt rather than just a pinch.

Reportedly, the 43-year old Hardy won the role ofJames Bondback in June after a successful audition. The plan was to make the casting announcement following the release of [No Time to Die}, but due to delays this was put on the back burner, with insiders now claiming that the announcement won’t be made until next year.

Tom Hardy has been abookies favoriteto take over from Daniel Craig for some time, with the actor’s odds recently jumping to a healthy 8/1, an improvement from this time last year. He has also been many a Bond fans' top choice, thanks to his raw talent, powerfully intense screen presence, and ability to look good in a tuxedo. Despite seemingly being perfect for the role, Hardy’s casting would still be a surprising one. Historically, the role of Bond is not usually given to such recognizable actors, with the part instead given to lesser known talent who are thereby shot to the A-list thanks to being associated with the 007 franchise.

Following roles in the likes ofLayer CakealongsideDaniel Craig, Guy Ritchie’sRocknRolla, and a blistering performance as Britain’s most infamous prisoner,Bronson, Tom Hardy has become one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood. The actor has proven his unique talent time and again in critically acclaimed projects such asTinker Tailor Soldier Spy,Warrior, andMad Max: Fury Road, and has worked with director Christopher Nolan several times in the likes ofInception,The Dark Knight Rises, andDunkirk, each time providing a performance that is wholly distinctive. Hardy’s performance in 2015’sThe Revenantwas recognised with an Oscar nomination, and next year he is due to reprise the role of Eddie Brock in comic book sequelVenom: Let There Be Carnage. No doubt, Hardy’s addition to the Bond series would be a victory for the long-running franchise.

Before any of that though, we still have yet tosee Daniel Craig as James Bond for the fifth and final timein the upcomingNo Time to Die, which picks up five years after the capture of Ernst Stavro Blofeld, with James Bond having now left active service. He is approached by Felix Leiter, his friend, and a CIA officer, who enlists his help in the search for Valdo Obruchev, a missing scientist. When it becomes apparent that Obruchev was abducted, Bond must confront a danger the likes of which the world has never seen before.

No Time to Dieis directed byBeasts of No Nation’sCary Joji Fukunaga from a screenplay by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, Fukunaga, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Léa Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Jeffrey Wright, Christoph Waltz, and Ralph Fiennes reprise their roles from previous films, with Rami Malek and Lashana Lynch joining the main cast.No Time to Diehas been delayed several times due to the ongoing global circumstances, with rumors currently abound that it may be delayed again. For now, the movie is scheduled for release on 12 November in the United Kingdom and on 25 November in the United States, with a recent poster sticking to the November release. This comes to us courtesy ofThe Vulcan Reporter.