CILLIAN MURPHY could be the man with the golden gong on Sunday night if he proves bookies right and wins the Best Actor Oscar for Oppenheimer.
And now I can exclusively reveal he is joining the running to take over from Daniel Craig as the next James Bond.
Film bosses are still on the hunt for a new 007, after Daniel chose to put down his Walther PPK following his fifth outing as the secret agent in 2021’s No Time To Die.
And the Peaky Blinders actor has now caught their attention after his starring turn in Oppenheimer, which has been clearing up during awards season.
A source said: “Cillian is the toast of Hollywood right now and this would be the ultimate role.
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"This is a way to elevate the Bond franchise with an actor who is at the very top of his game.”
Bond producer Barbara Broccoli has been keeping a close eye on Cillian for the past year.
However, work on the 26th movie featuring the secret agent created by writer Ian Fleming is not expected to start until later next year at the earliest.
Clay Bunker, who starred opposite Cillian in Oppenheimer, is also backing him as the next Bond — citing his roles as gangster Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders and Scarecrow in the Dark Knight trilogy.
Clay said: “He would fare beautifully. I
"t’s funny because Cillian is the nicest human but he has that dark side and there’s a darkness to Bond.
"We forget that sometimes Bond is like the character Fleming created — a pretty dark character.
“He just happens to be on the side that we call good. Cillian has that ability to tap into that.
“We’ve seen that in something like Peaky Blinders, even in Batman when he is playing Scarecrow — the myriad of other films he’s done.
"But he himself has goodness.
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“He’s got a focus thing, which is very James Bond as well.
"When he’s on a mission, he can do it.
"Cillian has tapped into all that. He can do anything.”
Another of Cillian’s co-stars in the atomic bomb epic, Christina Hogue, said the ending of the last 007 movie provides the ideal opportunity to introduce a different Bond.
She explained: “It leaves the canvas wide open for something entirely new.
"And when Daniel Craig did it, he was breaking a mould.”
I couldn’t imagine a better Bond.
Cillian was so brooding as Tommy Shelby and I think he could more than do 007 justice.
OUCH, KRISTEN
I CAN feel the chafe just by looking at Kristen Stewart’s latest red carpet outfit.
The Twilight actress wore this insanely uncomfortable-looking leotard for the premiere of Love Lies Bleeding in Beverly Hills.
It’s not the first time Kristen has hit the headlines for her bold style this year.
She appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine this month in a jockstrap and leather waistcoat.
It caused quite a stir but Kristen hit back at her critics saying she loved taking her style to the next level.
She said “The existence of a female body thrusting any type of sexuality at you that’s not designed for exclusively straight males is something people are not super comfy with and so I’m really happy with it.”
All power to Kristen, I say, but I’ll be sticking to my baggy jeans.
BEY’S COUNTRY BOOST
COUNTRY music has never been cooler, with Beyonce on for her third week at No1 with her single Texas Hold ’Em.
And tomorrow Country To Country festival kicks off here, with three days of amazing live music from some of the genre’s biggest stars in London, Glasgow and Belfast.
I caught up with headliner Kane Brown ahead of his gigs, who told me has something very special on the cards for his fans.
Kane, who has collaborated with artists including H.E.R. and Camila Cabello, said: “I usually have a high-energy show but I’ve noticed when I come over here they love deep cuts.
"I’ve got a new song called Fiddle In The Band but I’m not sure if my band will have it ready or not.
"My last song, I Can Feel It, it will be my first time playing it here.”
BBC Radio 2 is the official broadcast partner of C2C this weekend and DJ Bob Harris, who is hosting the three-day event in London, told me he couldn’t wait to watch Kane play live.
In an exclusive chat, Bob said: “Country music is coming to the forefront now and to somebody like myself, who has been in this lane for such a long time, it’s great to see country is developing and that great black artists are enriching country music.
"Kane is one of the most successful.”
On the new wave of country music, Bob added: “Beyonce is this moment.
“What’s fabulous also about her record is that one of the people on it is one of the most prominent musicians, Rhiannon Giddens.
“Rhiannon is a true black roots American artist. She is amazing.
"So for Beyonce to call into that record people with true authenticity is in itself huge.”
I’ve got my cowboy boots ready to go – and I’ll see you there.
JAX AND JADE’S BANGER
HE has released hit after hit over the past few years.
But DJ Jax Jones told me he thinks he could be sitting on his biggest banger yet after recording with Jade Thirlwall.
Jax and the Little Mix star hit the studio almost two years ago but the song has never seen the light of day.
And Jax, whose new single Never Be Lonely, with Zoe Wees, in collaboration with The Pokémon Company International is out now, told me he wants to get Jade’s tune out there.
He said: “It’s a good song. If she wants to use it, it’s there.
“Miley Cyrus and Pharrell Williams released Doctor, which was recorded years ago, so you never really know what will happen.
"But I know I have written some cool music with Jade and we are still cool and we vibe.”
HE has made no secret of his passion for psychedelics in the past.
Now Jaden Smith appears to have a thing for funny looking fags.
The musician son of Hollywood A-listers Will and Jada Pinkett Smith was spotted leaving the Louis Vuitton Paris Fashion Week after- party.
Jaden had been out with stars including Sophie Turner at the bash at Maxim’s until 3am.
Opening up about trying psychedelics, Jaden said: “My mum was the first one to make that step for the family.”
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ELLA SETS SIGHTS KY HIGH
RISING star Kamille helped Kylie Minogue write her last album Tension.
And now another British singer wants to get in on the act with the Aussie too.
Ella Henderson said: “I think this last year especially has been incredible for music, and for women in music.
"To be a small part of that feels amazing.
“My favourite Kylie song is I Can’t Get You Out Of My Head.
“It’s iconic just because of the video. But Padam is the new era of Can’t Get You Out Of My Head.
“One of my goals is to get in the studio with Kylie even if it’s to write a record for her.
“I love writing with other artists so to do something with Kylie would be wicked.”
I think you’ll be joining a long queue, Ella, but it would be great to see it happen.
BRITTY WOMAN
IT’S good to see Raye still keeping it real after breaking records at The Brit Awards over the weekend.
The Escapism singer took off her shoes when she took to the stage at the London Hilton on Park Lane for an intimate gig.
Raye was a special guest at the Secret Socials night and played a stunning set with some of the standout songs from her album My 21st Century Blues.
She took home an incredible six gongs during the ceremony on Saturday and partied until the early hours with her family to celebrate.
It’s been hard earned, Raye, but enjoy the spoils. You deserve it.
