With all the different candidates being considered for the coveted part of James Bond in the next 007 flick, you could be excused for thinking that current Bond Daniel Craig is 100 percent out of the running to return to the role. But that's not entirely true, and according to one Bond producer, Craig is still filmmakers' top candidate for the gig whenever the 25th entry in the franchise gets off the ground.

That word comes straight from Callum McDougall, an executive producer on the last four Bond flicks who has worked on nine films in the series total. In an interview with the BBC's Radio 4 Today (via Deadline), McDougall said Craig was "absolutely the first choice" to portray on the dashing spy once again.

"I wish I knew," McDougall added when asked if Craig would indeed return. "We love Daniel. We would love Daniel to return as Bond. Without any question he is absolutely [longtime Bond producers] Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli's first choice. I know they're hoping for him to come back."

The million dollar question is whether or not Craig even wants to come back. The actor infamously insinuated during the "Spectre" press tour that he would rather cut his wrists than play 007 again, though he later walked back those harsh remarks a bit.

In the meantime, rumors have swirled that actors including Tom Hiddleston, Jamie Bell, Tom Hardy, Idris Elba, and Damian Lewis are all vying for the part, with some getting further in the process than others. (Hiddleston doesn't think he has a very good shot, Bell reportedly met with -- and impressed -- producers, and Elba says he hasn't been in talks at all.)

There is still no firm start date for Bond 25, and a script and director have yet to be finalized, so the official announcement about who's playing 007 this time around is still probably a long way's off. Stay tuned.

[via: BBC Radio 4 via Deadline]

Photo credit: Getty Images for Sony Pictures