The Next James Bond: Top 5 Actors Who Could Play 007 Role

Top caliber actors are now being considered to play the very special Agent 007 in the reimagined "James Bond" film and some of your favorites may be included.

Talks about Daniel Craig relinquishing the role of James Bond have already conquered headlines and many are already talking of who may be perfect to replace him.

Among the top picks pegged by the Market Watch included Idris Elba who has recently been put to the test after James Bond novel author Anthony Horowitz had called him "too street" to play the role.

While the writer had already backtracked on his words and apologized to the actor, the headlines still ring the truth behind it: Horowitz prefers somebody else.

Another big name in the list is "Homeland" actor Damien Lewis who, according to Yahoo Movies, currently holds the top spot with betting odds of 5/2.

On June Telegraph UK got word that Lewis had become the second favorite actor to succeed Craig's version of Agent 007.

"This is an unprecedented gamble, as for no apparent reason we have seen bets of up to £200 on Damian Lewis being named as the next Bond. This might well be significant," spokesperson Rupert Adams explained, adding that the landslide of bets coming for the actor forced them to slash the odds and placed him second to Idris Elba in the polls.

Since then, Lewis had become a top pick among betters, placing Elba second.

Now, a new contender has climbed up the top picks ladder: 37-year-old English actor Tom Hardy.

The "Mad Max: Fury Road" actor is now second in the polls next to Lewis after garnering 4/1 odds with bookmakers at William Hill.

Aside from "Mad Max," Hardy has been known for his spy roles movies like 2012's "This Means War" where he portrayed CIA operative Tuck.

Meanwhile, Hugh Jackman has shaken up the race to wield the golden gun after he revealed that he would not hesitate to take on the role which he reportedly had given up eight years ago.

"At the time I was just about to do X-Men 2 and I was like, 'Ah, I don't think it's the right time.' But it was not an easy one to give up," he explained to an Australian TV Show, adding that he would "seriously consider" taking the role if it was offered to him now.

Finally, the fifth contender to become the new James Bond is the current one: Daniel Craig.

He has already spoken his intention to relinquish the role after "Spectre," saying: "I have a life and I've got to get on with it a bit. But we'll see."

However, many are still hoping that he would reconsider particularly because, as Yahoo Movies puts it, it is probably just the "post-wrap, pre-release promotional fatigue" that led him to say things.