West End performer Tom Francis has emerged as an unexpected challenger in the race to portray the next James Bond, with bookmakers now positioning him as the second most likely candidate at odds of 10/3.
The 27-year-old theatre star trails only Callum Turner, who maintains his position at the front of the pack with 6/4 odds.
Mr Turner’s implied probability of securing the iconic MI6 role stands at approximately 40 per cent, though Mr Francis’s sudden rise has intensified competition for the coveted part.
Oddschecker spokesman Chris Rogers stated: “West End protagonist Tom Francis has emerged as a surprise leading contender in the race to become the next James Bond. Francis is 10/3 to clinch the role making him the bookmaker’s second favourite behind Callum Turner.”
Callum Turner has been the James Bond frontrunner for a while
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Mr Francis, celebrated for his starring role in the West End production of Sunset Boulevard, confirmed earlier this year that he had auditioned for the part.
Mr Rogers added: “According to the implied probability, Francis has a 23 per cent chance of appearing on screens as the iconic MI6 agent.”
His ascent through the betting ranks has seen him leapfrog several more established names in the industry.
Harris Dickinson, previously considered a strong contender, has now slipped to 4/1, giving him an implied probability of around 20 per cent.
West End performer Tom Francis has emerged as an unexpected challenger in the race to portray the next James Bond
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Jacob Elordi finds himself in a similar position, drifting to 5/1 with a 17 per cent chance of landing the role.
Both actors have seen their prospects diminish slightly as Mr Francis’s stock continues to rise among punters.
The casting process for Bond 26 has been progressing behind the scenes, with director Denis Villeneuve reportedly contacting actors personally to inform them they have advanced in the selection process.
Producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman have also been reaching out to performers who will take part in screen tests scheduled for August.
Francis, celebrated for his starring role in the West End production of Sunset Boulevard, confirmed earlier this year that he had auditioned for James Bond
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Amazon MGM Studios has declined to comment on these developments.
Industry sources have offered varying estimates regarding how many candidates remain in contention, with figures ranging from five to seven performers up to numbers in the teens.
Studio executives are reportedly working towards revealing their choice for the new 007 before the end of 2026, which would enable production to begin at some point in 2027.
Mr Francis is not the only unexpected name to have surfaced in recent months.
Louis Partridge, the 23-year-old star of Netflix’s House of Guinness, saw his odds plummet dramatically from 50/1 to 3/1 in June, making him one of the frontrunners at that time.
Casting director Nina Gold has reportedly been holding meetings focused specifically on discovering emerging talent to potentially add to the shortlist of more prominent actors.
Mr Turner has received backing from Hollywood heavyweight George Clooney, who directed him in The Boys in the Boat.
“I hope Callum ends up being the next Bond. I think he would be a great Bond,” Mr Clooney told The Hollywood Reporter, describing the Masters of the Air star as “tall and handsome and charming and British” and “the perfect guy to do it.”