Tom Hiddleston has reportedly lost out on the chance to become the next 007, as a source reveals that his talks with Bond producers have come to an end.
After his critically lauded turn in the BBC’s adaptation of The Night Manager, the 35-year-old actor was seen as a natural successor to Daniel Craig – and the rumours further intensified when Hiddleston was spotted meeting producer Barbara Broccoli in a member’s club in London. Speculation hit a peak in May when bookmakers suspended bets after Hiddleston’s odds were slashed as low as 1/2.
So what went wrong? We hate to say we told you so, but according to insiders, the news has more than a little to do with Tom’s very public, not very convincing ‘romance’ with one Taylor Swift.
A source told The Sun that ‘Tom’s cool performance in The Night Manager saw him as a late contender for 007, but initial talks have come to an end.’
‘Bond needs an air of mystery – his public romance with Taylor has made him totally uncastable.’ Damning indeed.
Hiddleston has been quick to play down any Bond rumours, telling the audience at the panel event last month ‘I’m sorry to disappoint you, everybody. I don’t think that announcement is coming.’
His loss, however, is apparently James Norton’s gain. The odds that the War And Peace star will be stepping into Bond’s Aston Martin are now at 1/3, edging him ahead of Poldark’s Aidan Turner, Hiddleston and Idris Elba.
Think that Bond’s producers are being a little too harsh on Hiddleston? Let’s just have a quick re-cap of some of the slightly embarrassing, really not-very-Bond things that T-Hid has done in the past few weeks...
Participated in a retrospectively cringe dance-off to 'Crazy In Love' at the Met Gala
Somewhere, Beyoncé raises one eyebrow, and issues a barely audible sigh.
Appeared in the most mind-boggling promo photos for his new relationship
The knitwear! The stilted posing! The treacherous looking rocks!
Taken his mum for a walk with Taylor Swift and her multiple bodyguards
Meet The Parents: The Home Counties Edition.
Recreated key scenes from The Lizzie McGuire Movie in Rome
IS this what dreams are made of, Tom?
Worn an 'I Heart T.S. vest
We're guessing the T. S. isn't an Eliot reference, either.
Applied a heart-shaped temporary tattoo to his bicep
Oh, and the heart has a letter 'T' at its centre.
Slid down a giant inflatable slide with the word 'Taymerica' emblazoned on the side
Participated in an awkward couples photograph with Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds
Without having the decency to look thoroughly and unabashedly horrified, unlike Ryan Reynolds.
Worn some godawful awful espadrilles
See above.
Drunk white wine from a promotional goblet
Everyone knows Bond drinks MARTINIS, Tom.
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