Reports from The Sun suggest that 33-year-old British actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson has been offered the coveted role of next James Bond, MI6’s legendary spy. While Taylor-Johnson has yet to formally accept the role, if he does, he would become the eighth actor to step into the shoes of the iconic character since the film series began in 1962.
Renowned for his roles in films such as the 2010 black comedy superhero hit Kick-Ass and the 2015 Marvel blockbuster Avengers: Age Of Ultron, Taylor-Johnson is poised to fill the shoes of Daniel Craig, who has portrayed Bond in five films since his debut in 2006’s Casino Royale.
Historically, the role of James Bond has served as a launchpad for lesser-known actors into global stardom. Sean Connery, the inaugural Bond, had a modest background in minor TV roles before attaining international acclaim through the character.
Speculation over who would inherit the mantle of James Bond has been rife, with names like Henry Cavill, Tom Hardy, and Idris Elba frequently circulated. Elba, who emerged as the favored choice in a poll by Lottoland, an online gambling firm, has previously distanced himself from the role, citing concerns over the emphasis on race in discussions surrounding his potential casting.
In a 2017 interview with the New York Times, Elba expressed his reservations, stating, “It’s interesting that the James Bond thing continues to go. I think it’s more about, we just want to have a Black guy play James Bond rather than Idris Elba, the actor, play James Bond. That’s the part that I’m like, ‘Ugh, come on.’”
Calls for diversity in casting have gained momentum, with fans advocating for a departure from the tradition of exclusively white male actors portraying Bond. Some even threw their support behind prominent actresses such as Emilia Clarke and Emily Blunt in the Lottoland poll.
Eon Productions, responsible for the Bond franchise, is reportedly in the process of developing a script and gearing up for the production of a new installment.
According to The Sun’s sources, Eon is moving forward under the assumption that Taylor-Johnson will sign his contract imminently, allowing them to proceed with preparations for a much-anticipated announcement.
As anticipation builds over the potential casting of Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the next James Bond, fans and industry insiders alike are eagerly awaiting official confirmation, marking the dawn of a new era for one of cinema’s most iconic characters.
