James Bond fans think next 007 has been decided after actor signs new deal

James Bond fans are convinced they've sussed the frontrunner set to pick up the mantle of 007 – thanks to one very convenient brand deal.

Ever since the credits rolled on Daniel Craig's swan song No Time to Die, which saw the 57-year-old's take on the legendary British spy sacrifice himself to save the world from a deadly bio-weapon, people have been speculating about where the franchise would go next.

And more specifically, who the next 007 would be.

With Amazon MGM now in control of the franchise and confirming that Mr Bond would be back on our cinema screens at some point in the future, fans have begun to draw up a long list of names to take over from Knives Out star Craig.

Given that it's been nearly four years since No Time to Die hit our screens, the list of unofficial James Bond candidates has grown very long, with the likes of Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Idris Elba, James Norton and Tom Hardy all touted as candidates.

The list doesn't end there either, as Harris Dickinson, Josh O'Connor, Sam Heughan, Regé-Jean Page and even Tom Holland being mentioned.

However, eagle-eyed fans believe a new brand for Nosferatu star Taylor-Johnson may be a subtle clue that he's bagged the role.

Yesterday (22 May), the 28 Years Later actor was unveiled as a global ambassador for watch brand Omega.

Now bear with me, as this doesn't seem like particularly exciting news at first glance. Until you factor in that Omega timepieces have been associated with the franchise ever since Pierce Brosnan popped up in one in GoldenEye.

So, you can see why this would be exciting news for James Bond fans.

Fans wasted no time in sharing their reactions to the news either. "Is this conformation he is the new Bond," one person replied. "Coincidence? I think not."

"The next Bond confirmed then!," penned a second fan, as a third wrote: "Suppose that means he got *that* job."

"Looking more and more like we might have our next Bond…" a fourth added.

Of course, this doesn't mean that Taylor-Johnson will definitely be our next Bond, as it would be a pretty anti-climatic way to announce it. Although, if he does get the role, I'd imagine we'll be seeing 007 with an Omega on his wrist.

What has Aaron Taylor-Johnson said about playing James Bond?

Given that his name is so high up on fans' lists, the 34-year-old has been asked numerous times about the likelihood of him playing James Bond – with the actor giving frustratingly vague answers every time.

He was recently asked about the role by EW on the red carpet for his recent film Kraven the Hunter, to which he responded to by deflecting and promoting the sci-fi flick. AP also received a cold-shouldered response, with the actor asking a reporter: "You sick of asking the question?"

When asked about the odds in 2023, he told: Esquire: "It’s not really for me to say anything."

So, I guess we'll have to wait and see.