MOVIE NEWS – A new James Bond favourite has emerged, who is very good at brutal entertainment…

Although Kraven the Hunter star Aaron Taylor-Johnson is still rumoured to be the frontrunner for the coveted role of the next 007, bookies say Gladiator II star Paul Mescal is slowly catching up to him. The 28-year-old Oscar nominee immediately became one of Hollywood’s A-listers with his first blockbuster starring role; his chances have significantly increased, while James Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson continue to search for who will be the next to receive the ” license to kill”.

According to Ladbrokes (via The Express ), Paul Mescal, a bet on the acclaimed Irish actor, now pays just 3-1 instead of 10-1, moving him ever closer to wearing the famous tuxedo. Nicola McGeady from Ladbrokes commented on the change: “Mescalmania is sweeping the nation as Gladiator II hits cinemas, and as a result, he is now challenging Aaron Taylor-Johnson to be named as the next James Bond.”

Mescal came to everyone’s attention after starring in the heartbreaking drama Normal People.

He has since starred in films such as All of Us Strangers, Foe and Carmen, and earned an Oscar nomination for Best Actor for his performance in the deeply moving coming-of-age drama Aftersun in 2022.

Paul Mescal has a knack for drama and action, but is he interested in playing James Bond?

Paul Mescal certainly fits the bill that Broccoli and Wilson recently laid out. The Gladiator star is “male”, approaching “his 30s” and not part of any major franchises that would prevent him from committing to “a decade’s worth” of James Bond adventures. Except maybe Gladiator, when the third movie starts…

The actor has proven several times that he has an affinity for dramas. No, he’s also proven he can handle action, thanks to his starring role as the revenge-hungry Lucius Verus in Ridley Scott’s sequel. He would undoubtedly bring something different to his role as 007; however, Mescal is essentially an indie favourite. It begs the question, is he even interested in taking on the role of James Bond?

The list of who viewers want to see in the role is still pretty strong. Aaron Taylor-Johnson is joined by Theo James and Lords of the Air and Fantastic Beasts: Dumbledore’s Secret star Callum Turner; and Happy Valley actor James Norton are the other top contenders to don the tuxedo and take on the role of James Bond.

Of course, several A-list names are still floating around for the role, including Tom Hardy, Idris Elba, and Oppenheimer and Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy. However, new research claims that the finisher is now a big fan favourite. According to new data from Betway Casino, Man of Steel star Henry Cavill is also in the running again…

Source: The Express