James Bond will reportedly start shooting a new film by the end of the year with insiders saying a new 007 announcement is imminent. 

Fans have been busy speculating who could step into Daniel Craig's shoes after he stepped down from the role following 2021's No Time to Die, with Jacob Elordi the current bookmakers favourite. 

After 25 films, six 007's and countless foiled attempts at world domination, long-term producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael C Wilson sold the hugely popular spy franchise to Amazon MGM for a widely reported £1 billion, in February last year. 

Now, production is said to be preparing to start filming for the next film in late autumn into the early winter of this year. 

A TV insider said: 'This well and truly starts the firing gun on naming who the new 007 will be, with speculation already rife about who will inherit the Walther PPK and Licence To Kill.

'The pairing with Prime Video raises the possibility that the new movie might drop in cinemas and on the streamer simultaneously, or at least around the same time.' 

The added to The Sun: 'That’s the first time that would have happened in the 64-year history of the Bond films.' 

Daily Mail has contacted Prime Video for comment.  

Meanwhile, Jacob Elordi has stormed into the lead as the favourite to replace Daniel Craig as the next James Bond.

The Wuthering Heights star, 28, is currently enjoying the successful release of Emerald Fennell's adaptation of the iconic book, in which he stars as Heathcliff. 

And his surging popularity appears to have impacted his odds at becoming the next James Bond.

Despite his shot for the role being at just 14/1 earlier this month, Jacob is now the favourite to replace Daniel Craig in the role for the next movie. 

After the release of Wuthering Heights on Friday, Jacob now holds odds of 5/4 - toppling previous favourite, English actor Callum Turner whose odds have drifted from 7/10 to 6/4.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Theo James round off the top four in the running.

Bettors have rallied behind Jacob over the last 12 hours with 56 per cent of bets backing him for the role. 

Elsewhere Oddschecker has also slashed Jacob's odds from 6/1 into 5/4 overnight putting him ahead of the heavily fancied Callum. 

Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: 'There's been a big shake up in the search for the next James Bond actor in the past 24 hours, with Jacob Elordi our new outright favourite.

'Elordi was considered an outsider for the role last month but saw his price slashed from 14/1 to 4/1 last week following the release of Wuthering Heights.

'However, those odds have taken another tumble this morning and the Australian is the new 5/4 frontrunner to replace Daniel Craig, dethroning previous market leader Callum Turner (6/4) in the process.

'The Wuthering Heights fallout has also seen Margot Robbie leap into contention to be the next Bond girl – we're 6/1 for that to happen.'

Oddschecker spokesman Chris Rogers stated: 'Callum Turner had led the next James Bond betting market for several weeks, but a new name has surged to the top.

'Jacob Elordi is now 5/4, cut from 6/1 to take the role ahead of Turner (6/4).' 

They added: 'Punters have strongly backed Elordi over the last 12 hours with 56% of bets favouring the Frankenstein star. 

'Callum Turner continues to be a strong contender and was the second most backed candidate behind Elordi with 20% of the betting.' 

Wuthering Heights had an extremely successful opening weekend raking in US$76.8million (£56million) at the global box office.

The romantic drama from Emerald Fennell stars Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi as the star-crossed Catherine and Heathcliff and is a take on Emily Brontë's novel.

New statistics state that the controversial film made US$34.8million in the North American box office in its first three days which makes it the year's biggest opening so far.