Hollywood star Tom Hardy will be taking over the James Bond role as Daniel Craig’s successor, according to reports.

Although the news has not been officially confirmed, reports claim the casting decision has been made and adds that the public announcement is expected either towards the end of 2020 or in early 2021.

The source now offers that the announcement may still come out this year, or if No Time To Die gets delayed again, in early 2021.

“I heard about this news back in June,” tweeted the source. “At that point, Hardy’s casting wasn’t official but he had been auditioning and was basically locked into the role. It’s similar to how Craig said that he got the role of Bond and then months later it was officially announced.”

As noted, Tom Hardy has been rumored for a while by the UK tabloid sites, but the scooper says now it’s a done deal. Hardy was also listed as a top contender to play the new James Bond by various bookmakers. 

46-year-old Idris Elba has been one of the hot favourites to replace Daniel Craig as James Bond. The competition included the likes of Richard Madden, Tom Hiddleston and of course Tom Hardy, all of whom are often asked if they’d like to play 007 next.

Elba opened up last year on the prospect of taking up the Licence to Kill, being honest that he’d love to if asked but doesn’t want to be judged by his skin colour. Speaking with Vanity Fair, Elba said: “James Bond is a hugely coveted, iconic, beloved character, that takes audiences on this massive escapism journey