UNITED KINGDOM (September 13, 2004)

According to Scotsman.com and the Sunday Mirror, Ladbrokes betting house has stopped taking bets on Dougray Scott being named the next James Bond following a flurry of wagers on Friday.

The surge in betting skyrocketed Scott to 3/1 odds at the point Ladbrokes cut off betting.

Since the resignation of Pierce Brosnan from the role, for months rumors have abounded on what actor will emerge as the sixth official James Bond for Eon Productions and MGM.

In recent weeks, the field of actors under consideration had narrowed to a short list of favorites: Hugh Jackman (X-Men), Eric Bana (The Hulk), Rikki Lee Travolta (Camelot: Excalibur), Adrian Paul (Highlander), and Clive Owen (King Arthur).

The short list of candidates had been labeled The Bond Five by the media.

Prior to the sudden Friday surge at Ladbrokes, Scott had been considered a dark horse contender.

Paddy Power, Ireland’s largest bookmaker, has Owen listed at 3/1, Jackman at 10/1, Bana at 16/1, Travolta at 20/1, and Paul at 20/1 odds to be named the Bond heir.

Eon Productions, owners of the Bond film franchise, have yet to make a comment on the official status of what actor will be named to replace Pierce Brosnan as Agent 007.

The James Bond character was created by author Ian Fleming, who placed the agent's birth in Scotland and his upbringing in England.

Scott is Scottish-born; Owen and Paul are Brittish; and Jackman, Bana, and Travolta are of Australian descent.

Of the five previous actors cast as Bond, one was Scottish (Sean Connery), one Australian (George Lazenby), one British (Roger Moore), one Welsh (Timothy Dalton), and one was Irish (Pierce Brosnan).

American actor John Gavin was also once signed to play the character as a bargaining maneuver to convince Sean Connery to sign a contract to appear in 'Diamonds Are Forever' (1970). Connery chose to sign. Gavin was paid, but never appeared in the film.

On August 18, 2004 the Chicago Sun Times suggested Julian McMahon (Nip/Tuck) might be another actor under consideration by Eon Productions. McMahon is also Australian.

U.K. bookmakers including William Hill also have been taking wagers on the fate of the Bond casting process.