ORLANDO BLOOM - ORLANDO TO BLOOM AS YOUNG 007?

ORLANDO BLOOM's dream of becoming the next JAMES BOND looks set to become reality - but he'll be playing the young 007.

The PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN actor has confirmed he has been in negotiations to star in YOUNG 007.

He says, "I love the idea, in principle, as he can be far more adventurous and do more stunts. This is as near as I think I will get to playing the grown up James for the next 20 years."

The first Young 007 movie will be based on new novel SILVERFIN and will be set in the 1930s, years before Bond discovered he likes his Martinis shaken, not stirred.

The film will follow the young Bond from school at Eton, England, to his uncle's house in the west Highlands.

Meanwhile, Aussie actor JULIAN McMAHON and Brits CLIVE OWEN and GERARD BUTLER remain the current favourites to take over from PIERCE BROSNAN as the grown-up Bond.