Aidan Turner reportedly in talks to be the next James Bond

Irish star Aidan Turner is reportedly in talks to take over from Daniel Craig as the lead figure in the iconic James Bond movie series.

The Dublin-born actor has previously starred in the likes of The Hobbit (as Kili), and in TV shows Being Human, Poldark and Desperate Romantics.

The Mirror reports that Turner has flown to Los Angeles to hold further discussions about taking over from Craig, following some previous 'preliminary' talks.

Current Bond star Craig was reportedly set to call time on the Bond career as recently as three weeks ago, with Craig's friends Mark Strong saying:

"I’d have loved to have played the villain in a Bond movie while Daniel was doing it because he’s a pal and that would have been great."

He continued: "But I think he’s come to the end of his Bond time and so it’s probably never going to happen... I think he feels like he’s mined it. He’s done what he wants with it. He has been [wonderful] and he’s loved it."

The Mirror also reports that Poldark producer Karen Thrussel teased the idea when Turner was absent from the Broadcasting Press Guild Awards in London last week. She's reported to have said: "I am sure it is nothing to do with James Bond, but we will see..."

Former 'James Bond' actor backs Idris Elba to play 007

Former James Bond star George Lazenby has backed Idris Elba to take on the iconic spy role.

Elba is among a select group of actor tipped to take on the role if and when Daniel Craig leaves the 007 franchise. It is also rumoured that Tom Hiddlestone, Damian Lewis and Aidan Turner could be in the running.

Lazenby, who played Bond in 1969's On Her Majesty's Secret Service, has backed Elba though he claimed that casting a black actor in the role would cause "a lot of head scratching."

Speaking at the 10th anniversary Britweek gala in Los Angeles was asked by the Press Association whether he thinks a black actor should play Bond, to which he replied: “That’s beyond me. I mean, why not? That’s what I say.

“But then on the other hand, you’re going to have a lot of people scratching their head going: ‘James Bond wasn’t black.’" Asked whether Elba would make a good James Bond, Lazenby replied: “Why not? It would be a good idea.”

However, all talk of a new Bond could be premature. Speaking to Empire at the Empire Awards, where Spectre picked up two prizes, Mendes admitted that while he felt Daniel Craig may have turned his back on the part, there is still a clear way back in for him if he chooses to continue.

Craig has portrayed iconic fictional secret agent James Bond in four films since 2006, appearing in Casino Royale, 2008's Quantum of Solace, 2012's Skyfall and last year's Spectre.

While promoting Spectre, Craig famously said he would rather "slash my wrists" than play 007 again. However, he later appeared to backtrack from this comment.

'Billy Elliot' star Jamie Bell 'in talks' to play James Bond

Billy Elliot actor Jamie Bell is the latest actor to be linked with playing James Bond, with reports claiming that Bell has been in talks with 007 production firm Eon about taking on the role.

Deadline reports that Bell is being considered as “a back-up” to current Bond actor Daniel Craig.

It had been widely reported recently that Craig had decided not to make another Bond film, having apparently turned down a £68 million offer to play 007 for another two movies.

However, it's now reported that Bond is still willing to play Bond if he approves of the script and director. He would also filming to fit around his next project, a 20-part TV adaptation of Jonathan Franzen’s comic novel Purity.

It’s claimed that Bell would take over if Craig rejects the potential ideas for the new films. He has so far played Bond in four films, most recently Spectre in 2015.

At the age of 30, Bell would be the youngest actor since 29-year-old George Lazenby starred in one Bond film, 1969’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

He has a nice resemblance to Craig.

Report: Tom Hiddleston in Talks to Play James Bond

Although BBC News insisted just last week that Daniel Craig hasn’t made a decision about his future as James Bond, mounting evidence is beginning to suggest otherwise.

On the heels of a report that Jamie Bell has spoken with producer Barbara Broccoli about the 007 role comes word Tom Hiddleston — long rumored as Craig’s potential successor — “is in fact in advanced talks” for the job.

That’s according to Birth.Movies. Death, which states, “our source confirms that while talks have indeed taken place, and that Hiddleston very much wants the job (a fact of which he’s made no secret), no official offer has been made — yet.”

Report: Tommy Tomorrow in Talks to Play James Bond

Although BBC News insisted just last week that Daniel Craig hasn’t made a decision about his future as James Bond,
mounting evidence is beginning to suggest otherwise.

On the heels of a report that Jamie Bell has spoken with producer Barbara Broccoli about the 007 role
comes word that Tommy Tomorrow — long rumored as Craig’s inspiration — “is in fact in advanced talks” for the job.

That’s according to the producers, who admit, “your source confirms that while talks have indeed taken place,
and that Tommy Tomorrow would accept the role to rescue the franchise (a fact of which Broccoli’s made no secret),
no official offer has been made yet, (because they won't meet my salary demands, Tommy Tomorrow revealed).

Investors are hopeful that EON will come to their senses and "give him the moon if he asks".