James Bond fans have been patiently waiting for updates about the next 007 since latest Bond star Daniel Craig’s final instalment No Time To Die was released in 2021.

Enthusiasts of the franchise might be surprised to learn Hollywood once considered casting a huge female lead to front a James Bond movie.

Bond author Ian Fleming’s biography The Complete Man reveals producers almost asked US actress Susan Hayward to be cast as a leading lady after toying with the idea of a female Bond.

The upcoming biography details how Sean Connery ended up being cast despite film bosses considering casting a woman to give the film greater appeal.

According to The Telegraph, the idea was put forward by producer Gregory Ratoff, who’d bought the film rights for the first novel, Casino Royale.

The publication details how the biography reads: “Since the mid-1950s, many well-known actors had been approached.

“Gregory Ratoff had the arresting idea of having Bond played by a woman, Susan Hayward.”

The 1940s Academy Award-winning star had featured in flicks such as My Foolish Heart, With a Song in My Heart and I'll Cry Tomorrow.

The biography goes on to explain how Ratoff enlisted Lorenzo Semple Jr as a screenwriter for the film.

Speaking in 2012, Semple told Variety: “Frankly, we thought he was kind of unbelievable and as I recall, even kind of stupid.

“So Gregory thought the solution was to make Bond a woman, ‘Jane Bond’ if you will, and he even had a plan to cast Susan Hayward in the role.”

Meanwhile, 25 films later, fans are eager to find out who will be replacing Craig as the next Bond.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson made headlines last month when it was reported he'd been offered the role, with many quick to share their opinions on the potential casting.

It was claimed insiders said the Kick-Ass movie star is expected to accept the role as 007.

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Many fans complained they didn't see Taylor-Johnson as a good fit for the role, however, others applauded the apparent choice.

While the Marvel star himself hasn't said anything about the Bond rumours, he and director wife Sam Taylor-Johnson were all smiles as they attended the premiere of her Amy Winehouse movie, Back to Black, recently.

Fifty Shades of Grey filmmaker Taylor-Johnson, 57, was joined by her husband, 33, on the red carpet and later joined the cast of the film for the premier when he left, according to reports by Metro.co.uk.