Cillian Murphy has reportedly joined the running to take over as James Bond from Daniel Craig.
The actor, 47, has won acclaim for his lead role in blockbuster Oppenheimer and is the hot favourite to win Best Actor at the Oscars on Sunday.
According to The Sun, his performance in the film has caught the eye of Bond bosses who are still on the hunt for Danielโs replacement.
A source said: โCillian is the toast of Hollywood right now and this would be the ultimate role.
โThis is a way to elevate the Bond franchise with an actor who is at the very top of his game.โ
Cillian Murphy has reportedly joined the running to take over as James Bond from Daniel Craig
A source said: โCillian is the toast of Hollywood right now and this would be the ultimate roleโ (Daniel Craig pictured as James Bond)
James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli is said to have been keeping a close eye on Cillian over the last year.
However there is still plenty of time to decide as work on the 26th Bond film will reportedly not begin until late next year.
Cillianโs Oppenheimer co-star Clay Bunker has backed the idea of the Irish actor taking over as 007.
He said: โHe would fare beauยญtifully. Itโs funny because Cillian is the nicest human but he has that dark side and thereโs a darkness to Bond.
โWe forget that sometimes Bond is like the character [Ian] Fleming created โ a pretty dark character.
โHe just happens to be on the side that we call good. Cillian has that ability to tap into that.โ
Daniel starred in five Bond films; Casino Royale was his first in 2005 and No Time To Die his last in 2021.
It comes after Cillian paid a heartfelt tribute to his wife and sons as he won the Best Actor BAFTA for his role in Oppenheimer last month.
The actor has won acclaim for his lead role in blockbuster Oppenheimer and is the hot favourite to win Best Actor at the Oscars on Sunday
The star, who plays the titular role in Christopher Nolanโs atomic bomb saga, picked up the prize at the star-studded Londonโs Royal Festival Hall ceremony.
Presented with the trophy by Cate Blanchett, he paid tribute to wife of 20-years Yvonne McGuinness as well as sons Malachy, 18, and Aran, 16, who is also an actor.
He said: โTo Yvonne, Malachy and Aran you are my best friend and I love you so muchโ.
Cillian triumphed over Bradley Cooper for Maestro, Colman Domingo for Rustin, Paul Giamatti for The Holdovers, Barry Keoghan for Saltburn and Teo Yoo for Past Lives.
Accepting the trophy he said: โOh boy, holy moly, thank you very, very much BAFTA.โ
It comes after Cillian paid a heartfelt tribute to his wife and sons as he won the Best Actor BAFTA for his role in Oppenheimer last month
The Irish actor picked up the prize at the star-studded Londonโs Royal Festival Hall ceremony (Pictured with wife Yvonne McGuinness in 2006)
He also paid tribute to โthe most dynamic, kindest producer-director partnership in Hollywood: Chris Nolan and Emma Thomas, thank you for seeing something in me that I probably didnโt see in myself.โ
Cillian said to Nolan: โThank for always pushing me and demanding excellence because that is what you deliver time and time again.โ
He also acknowledged his โfellow nominees and my Oppenhomiesโ, adding: โI know itโs a cliche to say, but Iโm in awe of you.โ
Cillian described J Robert Oppenheimer, known as the father of the atomic bomb, was a โcolossally knotty characterโ, adding: โWe have a space to debate and interrogate and investigate that complexity and itโs a privilege to be a part of this community with you all.โ