British tabloids claim Clive Owen will be announced as James Bond #6 this week

Over the weekend, a couple of British newspapers ran stories that Clive Owen is set to be announced as James Bond #6. Plaguerizing earlier Internet reports from the Sin City premiere, both the Sunday Express and Sunday Star claimed "inside sources" had told them "Eon and Sony have finally come to an agreement", and the "film will be a grittier, more realistic approach to Bond".

"Double Owen Seven" - The Sunday Express ran a picture of Clive Owen with a roulette wheel from "Croupier", and claimed he will be officially announced as Pierce Brosnan's sucessor sometime this week.

"Owen The Next Bond" - The Sunday Star (of the same newspaper group) went a little further, under a picture of Clive Owen smoking in a tuxedo (also from "Croupier"), and said he will be announced in a few days.



Italian newspapers also ran similar stories this weekend.

Variety reported in February that Sony's top choice to play 007 #6 is Clive Owen. This goes against fresh rumours that Sony may be willing to pay Pierce Brosnan a hefty sum to return as 007 for the fifth time, rather than risking the box-office with a new Bond.

Thanks to `JP` for the alert.

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