The actor who will shake up the James Bond franchise has been “revealed, with British star Aaron Taylor-Johnson “expected to accept the role” imminently.
Ever since Daniel Craig announced that he would bow out of the spy franchise after latest film No Time to Die (2021), speculation has been rife over who would succeed him.
While rumours have included Tom Hardy, Bridgerton actor Regé-Jean Page and Idris Elba, who said the “disgusting” race discourse around his possible casting put him off the idea of playing Bond, it’s been claimed that the role has been offered to Aaron Taylor-Johnson.
Eon Productions, which produces the Bond films, is also said to be preparing to shoot a new 007 movie, with a script now being worked on.
According to The Sun, Eon Productions are hoping to start filming the 26th Bond film later this year, and 33-year-old Taylor-Johnson, whose credits include Kick-Ass, Tenet and Bullet Train, is their choice for the role.
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.
Taylor-Johnson was asked by Numero magazine last week about rumours linking him with the role. In response, he said: “I find it charming and wonderful that people see me in that role. I take it as a great compliment.”
If Taylor-Johnson, who won a Golden Globe for his role in Tom Ford’s Nocturnal Animals, does end up playing the role, he would have scored the role over other contenders including Richard Madden, James Norton and reigning Best Actor Oscar winner Cillian Murphy.
The actor has been married to film director
Sam Taylor Johnson, whom he met in 2012 on the set of John Lennon biopic Nowhere Boy, when he was 18 and she was 42. They have two children.
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