It’s been nearly four years since the last James Bond film, with Daniel Craig starring No Time To Die.
The Bond-drought is coming to an end though, with confirmation in recent weeks that the 26th instalment of the spy series will be directed by Canadian Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, written by Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight, and produced by Amy Pascal and David Heyman.
But there’s still no sign of who will play the title character - with further doubt cast on the recuitment process after Barbara Broccoli and her half brother Michael G. Wilson, who have effectively previously handpicked the Bond actors since the 1990s, signed over ‘full creative control’ to Amazon MGM Studios.
It had previously been reported that Aaron Taylor-Johnson had been offered the part, but that now seems unlikely - and a number of actors have been tipped over the course of this year.
And this week a new favourite has emerged, just as it seems likely an announcement will be made imminently.
Here are the latest 13 actors with the best chance of enjoying their martinis shaken not stirred - according to the bookies.
13. Paul Mescal - 20/1
There have been few more talked about actors in the last few years than Ireland's Paul Mescal, from breakout television show 'Normal People' and an Oscar-nominated performance in 'Aftersun', to starring in one of this year's biggest blockbusters, 'Gladiator 2'. He's also been confirmed to play Paul McCartney in a new film about The Beatles. He shot up to second favourite a few months ago, but his odds have now cooled to 20/1, possibly because it's questionable as to whether he would accept the role given his current huge success. | AFP via Getty Images