Star Madden plays 007 peekaboo at Cannes

"Game of Thrones" heartthrob Richard Madden tried to bat off mounting speculation Friday that will be the next James Bond as Daniel Craig bows out after eight years as 007.

The British actor turned heads on the Cannes film festival red carpet Thursday in a Bond-style white tuxedo, with rumours further fuelled by a string of Instagram pictures in poses and exotic settings typical of the British spy.

But the Scottish actor -- whose accent closely resembles that of the original 007, Sean Connery -- coyly brushed off the rumours when he appeared at a press conference Friday for the Elton John biopic "Rocketman".

However, neither did Madden rule it out in a retort likely to further fuel speculation.

"It's very flattering to be involved in that conversation at all, but it's all just talk and next week I'm sure it will be someone different," he said as co-star star Taron Egerton, who played Elton John, began humming the Bond music.

Madden plays Elton John's controversial lover and manager John Reid in the critically-acclaimed film.

The dashing actor further teased comment with revealing photos of himself preparing for his Cannes premiere, his bathrobe opened provocatively to his thigh.

Madden starred in "Game of Thrones" as the ill-fated King Robb Stark, and last year led the cast of hit BBC drama "The Bodyguard", a taut political thriller which broke download records in Britain.

The long-awaited new Bond film is due for release in April 2020, but its creators have yet to announce its title.

It will be the 25th film in one of the world's most enduring franchises, and Craig's last outing as the world's favourite spy.

Oscar winner Rami Malek has been cast as the villain and Ralph Fiennes returns as Bond's boss M.

Also returning to the cast is French actress Lea Seydoux, Naomie Harris as Moneypenny and Ben Whishaw as gadget-savvy spook Q.

? 2019 AFP