James Norton has responded to speculation that he will play the next Bond, calling it “crazy” and “not real”.
The Grantchester and Little Women actor is currently the favourite to play the famous spy after Daniel Craig steps down from the role following No Time to Die, which will be his fifth and final outing as James Bond.
“It’s crazy. It’s not real. It’s speculative,” Norton told The Times. “There is no truth behind it, unless journalists know something more than I do.”
He added: “It’s bizarre and quite flattering to be even considered in that world, but beyond that? Pure speculation.”
Norton has topped the latest betting odds as the next Bond, currently sitting at 6/4. Tom Hiddleston, Sam Heughan, Jack Lowden and Justin Hartley are also in the top five.
Craig previously said he would rather “slash his wrists” than return as the British spy after filming 2015’s Spectre.
No Time to Die, which is directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, will be released on 1 April. Billie Eilish will sing the theme song.
