Who will be the next James Bond?

They’re shoes that have been filled by many actors – from Sean Connery to Roger Moore, but the time has come for a new Bond. Daniel Craig has served his time, and now there’s speculation circulating about who will take the coveted role of 007 in the next James Bond movie.

Aussie betting website Sportsbet.com.au has a list of 43 prospects to take on the super spy moniker, with some rather odd choices making their way into the list.

We’re pleased to see our very own dapper gentleman Hugh Jackman’s up there, with odds of 51/1, but we were a bit surprised to see American rapper P. Diddy made the cut, as well as English footballer David Beckham, albeit at the rather long odds of 101/1 and 151/1 respectively.

More realistically, standout favourites to have their martinis shaken not stirred are Tom Hardy, Michael Fassbender and Idris Elba, with odds of 3.26/1, 5.5/1 and 7/1.

So who are these pretenders to the throne? Hardy cuts quite the boyish figure, having made his Hollywood breakthrough in the 2010 film Inception after appearing in several big-selling British gangster films. A quick peek at the international movie site IMDB, however, would suggest he might be a little busy, with pre-production films stacking up into 2015 and beyond.

German-born Brit Fassbender certainly has the good looks that are a pre-requisite for the role. His resume is long list of blockbusters, having appeared in plenty of successful British TV shows, and catching Hollywood’s attention with Inglourious Basterds, Prometheus and last year’s Oscar-winning smash hit 12 Years a Slave. A serious contender, Fassbender also looks pretty busy in the coming years.

Idris Elba would be a significant change-up, as there has yet to be a black Bond. This movie heavyweight has seen some serious action in such huge films as Prometheus, Pacific Rim, Thor and, most notably, he played Nelson Mandela in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.

What about the men who went before? First of all we had the formidable Sean Connery (who for many is the ultimate Bond). Connery starred in Dr. No, From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice and, finally, Diamonds are Forever.

Next up was Aussie-born George Lazenby, who only starred in one (On Her Majesty’s Secret Service) before being dropped for Connery to come back for his swansong.

Roger Moore was the third Bond, spicing things up with his suave and slightly camp, witty spy – he starred in Live and Let Die, The Man With the Golden Gun, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker, For Your Eyes Only, Octopussy and, finally, A View to a Kill.

Timothy Dalton took the reins in 1987 and 1989 with The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill, before Pierce Brosnan brought Ian Fleming’s creation screaming into the 1990s with Goldeneye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World is Not Enough and Die Another Day.

Taking the baton from Brosnan, Daniel Craig was the 007 for the new millennium, starring in Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace and, finally, 2012’s Skyfall. Now that he’s taken his leave from what is probably one of the most high-profile parts available in film today, a big question mark hangs over the character.

Only time will tell who the seventh James Bond will be, but who do you think would make the best Bond? Everyone has a favourite Bond – which was yours? And which is the best Bond film in your opinion?