X-Men star Hugh Jackman has been installed as the favourite to be the next James Bond.

Bookmakers Paddy Power rate the Aussie a 15/8 chance to take over the role from Pierce Brosnan, who has just announced he is hanging up his tuxedo.

American Psycho star Christian Bale is second favourite at 2/1, with Clive Owen at 3/1 and Jude Law at 5/1.

Paddy Power also have Rufus Sewell at 8/1, Colin Farrell at 10/1, Guy Pearce at 16/1 and Colin Firth at 25/1.

Brosnan started his 007 career in Goldeneye in 1995 after taking over the role from Timothy Dalton.

He also played Bond in Tomorrow Never Dies in 1997, The World Is Not Enough in 1999, and Die Another Day in 2002.

Source: Press Release