Aaron Taylor-Johnson Subtly Evades Question About His Rumored James Bond Casting
British newspaper 'The Sun' recently reported that Aaron Taylor-Johnson is expected to sign a contract to play James Bond soon, citing sources
If Aaron Taylor-Johnson is the next James Bond, he is not ready to share that announcement.
In Taylor-Johnson's new feature interview with Rolling Stone UK, the actor declined to address the ongoing rumors that he is likely to take over playing 007 on the big screen from Daniel Craig, who previously played the iconic British spy for 15 years.
“I can only really talk about the things I’m going to show and tell,” Taylor-Johnson told the outlet when he was asked about ongoing Bond casting rumors. “So, The Fall Guy, Nosferatu, Kraven the Hunter. I’m here to promote those.”
The outlet added that Taylor-Johnson did not answer any additional questions regarding potential involvement with the 007 franchise. His new interview was published just days after U.K. newspaper The Sun reported that Taylor-Johnson received a formal offer for the role from the James Bond franchise's production company Eon and that he is expected to sign a contract this week, citing sources.
Taylor-Johnson, best known for his roles in the Kick-Ass movies and a one-off Marvel Cinematic Universe appearance in 2015's Avengers: Age of Ultron, has been linked to the James Bond franchise ever since Craig, 56, wrapped up his run in the role with 2021's No Time to Die after five total movies.
Related: From Connery to Craig, All the Actors Who've Played James Bond
Taylor-Johnson previously dodged answering Bond-related questions during an August 2023 interview with Esquire, when he said he had “to go by the beat of my own drum" when making career choices. “I just focus on the things I can have in my hands right now," he said at that time. "What’s in front of me right now.”
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Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, two of the franchise's producers, both previously said in 2022 interviews that the series' next film would be a "reinvention of Bond" and that the role won't go to too young of an actor. Broccoli most recently gave an update on the series' progress with its next movie in an October 2023 interview with The Guardian.
"Daniel gave us the ability to mine the emotional life of the character … and also the world was ready for it," Broccoli, 63, said at the time. "I think these movies reflect the time they are in, and there’s a big, big road ahead reinventing it for the next chapter and we haven’t even begun with that."
Related: Pierce Brosnan Says Cillian Murphy Would 'Do a Magnificent Job' Playing James Bond
As Taylor-Johnson spoke with Rolling Stone UK about his upcoming movies in 2024, which includes a costarring role with Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt in The Fall Guy, the actor said he does not "feel like I need to have a future drawn out for me."
"I feel like: whatever’s drawn out for me, I can f----- do better,” he said. “It’s the best when you sometimes lose all inhibitions completely, and you feel like you’re dangling there, and the director has sort of got one finger on the back of your shirt, so you don’t fall."
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