Aaron Taylor-Johnson is reportedly set to be the next actor to play fictional spy James Bond.
The British star, who rose to fame as a superhero in Kick-Ass, has been touted as the next 007 for some time after Daniel Craig bowed out of the franchise in 2021’s No Time To Die.
The Sun reported that Eon Productions, which has made most of the films in the series adapted from Ian Fleming’s novels, has offered Taylor-Johnson the main role.
The newspaper said he is likely to sign the contract and start filming this year at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire.
A source told the outlet: “Bond is Aaron’s job, should he wish to accept it. The formal offer is on the table and they are waiting to hear back.
“As far as Eon is concerned, Aaron is going to sign his contract in the coming days and they can start preparing for the big announcement.”
Despite claims Taylor-Johnson’s 007 future was sealed, BBC have reported that a production insider has revealed that there is “no truth in the rumours”.
The Standard has contacted Taylor-Johnson’s rep and an Eon Production spokesperson for comment.
Taylor-Johnson has just finished Marvel superhero film Kraven The Hunter after playing the title character and Spider-Man villain. He is also set to appear in The Fall Guy, starring Ryan Gosling.
Last week, he was asked about Bond by Numero Magazine and said: “I find it charming and wonderful that people see me in that role. I take it as a great compliment.”
It’s not the first time the 33-year-old reportedly met and impressed producers with a secret audition following Craig’s exit last January, as reported by Puck News’s Matthew Belloni.
Prior to that, The Sun alleged in December 2022 that he had filmed the secret agent’s memorable “gun-barrel teaser footage” seen in the films over the years.
At the time, a source told the publication: “Aaron has impressed bosses so much that he has filmed one of the franchise’s famous gun-barrel teaser scenes, something all the actors do.
“That move takes him a step closer to signing a deal. Bosses at the brand were really impressed with his unique blend of acting intensity and his impressive back catalogue of action films.”
Taylor-Johnson previously appeared in Avengers: Age Of Ultron and Nocturnal Animals.
He has two daughters with wife Sam Taylor-Johnson, who is more than 20 years his senior, as well as two stepdaughters. The couple met on the set of Nowhere Boy, which she was directing.
