Over three years have passed since Daniel Craig’s fifth and final 007 movie, No Time To Die, hit cinemas.

And as fans await an official announcement of who the next James Bond will be, Aaron Taylor-Johnson continues to be the bookies’ favourite.

As it stands, the 34-year-old is on Evens with Ladbrokes, but he’s facing new competition from an Oscar nominee.

The rising star in question is none other than Gladiator II’s Paul Mescal.

According to the bookmakers, the Irish 28-year-old’s odds of being cast as the new Bond have been slashed from 10-1 to 3-1.

Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “Mescalmania is sweeping the nation as Gladiator II hits cinemas and as result he is now challenging Aaron Taylor-Johnson to be named as the next James Bond.”

Also in the mix are James Norton on 5-1, Callum Turner and Henry Cavill on 8-1 and Jack Lowden on 9-1.