It’s been 18 years since Daniel Craig bagged the role of James Bond, beating a 22-year-old Henry Cavill to the role in the 2005 auditions for Casino Royale.
Of course, the young hunk went on to be cast as Superman but now that the 007 part is vacant again, might he take it up?
After all, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan were all considered for Bond before they were cast.
As it stands Cavill is 11-2 to be cast as Ian Fleming’s spy next, in joint third with Regé-Jean Page.
According to Oddschecker, the second most likely is James Norton on 5-1 and Aaron Taylor-Johnson is the favourite on 3-1. Yet news out of Hollywood today could well dash Cavill’s chances entirely.
Deadline report today that the rumoured Highlander reboot starring Cavill is going ahead at Lionsgate, helmed by John Wick quadrilogy director Chad Stahelski.
The fantasy epic about an immortal Scottish swordsman is set to shoot in 2024, which will probably be when the next Bond is finally announced for a 2025 release (that’s our best guess anyway).
Now if Cavill’s taking on a new franchise it will be harder for him to be available to become the new 007.
On top of Highlander, there are other things against The Witcher star’s chances of being the next Bond, despite being the runner-up last time around.
Firstly he’s now 40-years-old and 007 producer Michael G Wilson has said that they’re looking for an actor in his thirties, much like Taylor-Johnson, who’s 33.
Meanwhile, Cavill is already a Hollywood A-lister known for Superman and other spy franchises from Mission: Impossible and The Man From U.N.C.L.E. to 2024’s Argylle.
Whereas Craig wasn’t quite a household name (‘the guy from Layer Cake’) when cast and the favourite Taylor-Johnson is only just beginning to be the leading man in blockbusters like the upcoming Kraven the Hunter.
It’s not impossible for Cavill to become the next Bond, but we wouldn’t bet on it.
