A well-known Irish actor has emerged as the top contender to play the next James Bond villain. With Daniel Craig stepping down from the iconic role, fans are eager to see who will take on the role of the next Bond baddie. Cillian Murphy, best known for his role in Peaky Blinders, is currently leading the pack with odds of 9/2, according to bookies. Despite previously stating he was 'too old' to play Bond, Murphy's recent success has put him in the spotlight for the villain role.

Other actors such as Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Theo James, Henry Cavill, and Tom Hardy have also been rumored to replace Daniel Craig as James Bond. Aaron Taylor-Johnson, in particular, has been a frontrunner for the role for several years. The actor was formally offered the role last year after impressing during a screen test at Pinewood Studios. Despite the speculation, Taylor-Johnson has expressed his gratitude for being considered for the iconic role.

Despite the recent sale of the Bond franchise to Amazon, it has been confirmed that the character will remain a British man. Producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson have ensured that Bond's nationality and gender will not change under the new ownership. The decision was made before the franchise was sold to Amazon in a deal worth £770 million. Insiders have reassured fans that the spirit of Bond will be preserved, with the character staying true to his British roots.