The hunt for the next James Bond might be over. For years, there have been rumors about who would take over from Daniel Craig as the famous spy in the long-running 007 film series. Now, reports suggest that Aaron Taylor-Johnson will be cast in the next movie.
As per The Sun, the British actor has received a formal offer for the role, and filming for the new Bond project is expected to start as early as this year.
“Bond is Aaron’s job, should he wish to accept it,” a source claimed. “The formal offer is on the table and they are waiting to hear back… As far as [production company] Eon is concerned, Aaron is going to sign his contract in the coming days and they can start preparing for the big announcement.”
Aaron Taylor-Johnson, the 33-year-old British actor, was initially rumored to be considered for the role of Bond in 2022, when reports suggested he had attended a secretive audition.
A few days back, he was asked about the role in an interview with a fashion magazine Numéro. “I find it charming and wonderful that people see me in that role,” he said at the time. “I take it as a great compliment.”
Taylor-Johnson’s past experience makes him a good fit for a major blockbuster franchise. He gained attention with his role in the action comedy ‘Kick-Ass’ and has appeared in Marvel films like ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ and the upcoming ‘Kraven the Hunter’. Moreover, he portrayed a British assassin in the 2022 movie ‘Bullet Train’. His acting skills and depth also shine through, as evidenced by his BAFTA nomination for his role in the thriller ‘Nocturnal Animals’.
Apart from Aaron Taylor-Johnson movies, his recent advertising campaigns for Calvin Klein and Armani demonstrate his good looks and charm, essential qualities for a role akin to the one known as “The Spy Who Loved Me” in the ’70s.
The Sun’s front-page story about Taylor-Johnson’s offer and upcoming contract signing has caused a stir on social media platforms. However, EON Productions, led by Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, has chosen to stay quiet about the situation. This silence is typical of the well-known Bond producers, according to a report by Deadline.
There’s growing speculation about a new Bond, which aligns with Broccoli’s timeline for the film. The producer mentioned to Baz in June 2022 that the follow-up to ‘No Time to Die’ was a couple of years away.
Back then She said: “There isn’t a script and we can’t come up with one until we decide how we’re going to approach the next film because, really, it’s a reinvention of Bond. We’re reinventing who he is and that takes time. I’d say that filming is at least two years away.”
If Aaron accepts the offer, he’ll become the 8th actor to play Bond since the franchise began in 1962. Sean Connery was the first, followed by David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig. Craig left the role in 2021 after acting in five films over 16 years. The next Bond film will be the 26th after ‘No Time to Die’.
Who Else is in The Running to Play 007?
Just this month, The Sun journalist who announced Taylor-Johnson as the potential Bond actor also mentioned that Cillian Murphy was being considered for the role.
Other actors in the mix for the 007 role include James Norton from Happy Valley and Damson Idris from Snowfall. Tom Hardy, Idris Elba, and Henry Cavill have also been closely associated with the speculation.