Bookie Paddy Power has installed Hollywood a-lister Will Smith as their new 4/1 favourite to become the next and first black Bond after Daniel Craig.

Voted the most powerful actor on the planet by Newsweek, Smith has come along way from his Fresh Prince of Bel-Air days and would guarantee a big draw to the box office if he were to succeed Daniel Craig as the world’s most infamous spy.

Smith’s interest in the role of 007 has sparked a lot of betting around the ‘Men In Black’ star but he faces tough competition from a whole host of talented actors, some of which include British actor Clive Owen at 8/1, ‘Obsessed’ actor Idris Elba at 10/1 and ‘Lord of the Rings’ star Orlando Bloom at 10/1. Rapper P Diddy, who is thought to be extremely interested in landing the part of James Bond, is 100/1 with Paddy Power.   

Sharon McHugh, spokesperson for Paddy Power told Bettingpro this afternoon: “There’s been speculation for ages now that the next James Bond will be black and Will Smith certainly fits the bill. He’s an exceptionally talented actor and everything he touches seems to turn to gold. His heavyweight status would no doubt leave the box office figures shaken and stirred!” 

Meanwhile, Paddy Power are also offering betting on which lovely lady will be cast as the next Bond girl. Slumdog Millionaire’s leading lady Freida Pinto is the red-hot favourite at 3/1.
Paddypower are offering the following James Bond betting odds:

Who will play the Next 007 AFTER Daniel Craig? 
    4/1 Will Smith
    8/1  Clive Owen
    8/1  Christian Bale
  10/1  Idris Elba
  10/1  Dougray Scott
  10/1  Alex O'Loughlin
  10/1  Orlando Bloom
  12/1  Henry Cavill
  12/1  James Purefoy
  12/1  Hugh Jackman
  14/1  Julian McMahon
  14/1  Jamie Foxx
  16/1  Goran Visnjic
  16/1  Gerard Butler
  18/1  Rufus Sewell
  25/1  Ewan McGregor
  25/1  Craig Fairbrass
  33/1  Dominic West
  33/1  Jude Law
  33/1  Colin Salmon
  40/1  Eric Bana
  50/1  Guy Pearce
  50/1  Adrian Paul Hewitt
  50/1  Colin Farrell
  66/1  Colin Firth
  80/1  Russell Crowe
100/1   Hugh Grant
100/1   P.Diddy
150/1   Rupert Everett
250/1   Robbie Williams
500/1   David Walliams

Ethnicity of Next Bond
2/5     White
7/4     Black

Next Bond Girl 
    3/1 Freida Pinto
    4/1  Jennifer Aniston
    6/1  Megan Fox
    8/1  Keira Knightley
  10/1  Sienna Miller
  10/1  Jessica Alba
  10/1  Natalie Portman
  12/1  Scarlett Johansson
  12/1  Angelina Jolie
  14/1  Eva Longoria
  14/1  Jessica Biel
  16/1  Beyonce
  20/1  Charlize Theron
  33/1  Jennifer Lopez
  40/1  Cheryl Cole
  50/1  Catherine Zeta Jones
  80/1  Kylie Minogue
100/1   Kelly Brook
250/1   Jordan
250/1   Amy Winehouse
500/1   Kerry Katona

All odds from Paddypower