According to a new report, Aaron Taylor-Johnson is in the running to play James Bond. Following Daniel Craig’s departure from the role of Bond after five films in 2021, discussions about who will play the next Bond have been rife with rumour and speculation. Various British actors, including Tom Hardy, Idris Elba, and Henry Cavill, have been mentioned in these discussions, though recent rumours suggested that Taylor-Johnson was in late-stage talks to become MI6’s latest 007 agent.
It has now been confirmed that these rumours are true, as Taylor-Johnson has reportedly met with Bond producer Barbara Broccoli to discuss the role. According to Puck News, Taylor-meeting Johnson’s with Broccoli went very well. However, little else was confirmed in terms of who else might be in the running, or what Taylor-next Johnson’s steps would be to secure the role.
What to expect from the new generation James Bond?
With Craig having only recently left the role, it previously appeared that the Bond producers were not in a hurry to fill his shoes and were instead focused on finding the best person for the job. Broccoli previously discussed the key characteristics of the role, stating that they were specifically looking for a British actor under the age of 40, having previously toyed with, and ultimately discarded, the idea of a younger Bond. Taking on the role of Bond, like his predecessors, will entail agreeing to a 10- to 12-year commitment.
Details about what this new generation of Bond will bring to audiences are scarce, as casting the actor is likely to be the first step in determining what’s next for 007. Broccoli has previously stated that they want to make Bond 26 a “reinvention of Bond,” which is likely to be the deciding factor in which actor gets the role. The Bond producers previously stated that Bond 26 will begin production around 2024, implying that audiences should not expect it to hit theatres until at least 2025.
Reports that Taylor-Johnson is in the running for Bond is sure to excite fans eager to see the beloved character return to the big screen. Given his previous acting credits, it’s fair to say that Taylor-Johnson has undoubtedly established that he has the acting chops to take on a role of this calibre, and at only 32 years old, the actor is perfectly within the Bond producers’ “thirty-something” requirement. While it is unknown which other stars are being considered alongside Taylor-Johnson, it appears that things are looking up for the actor; however, only time will tell whether Taylor-Johnson will be the next to step out in James Bond’s iconic tuxedo.