Aaron Taylor-Johnson: Is the new James Bond just around the corner?

Aaron Taylor-Johnson: Is the new James Bond just around the corner?

Rumors are currently making the rounds about the next cast for the iconic secret agent James Bond, and one name keeps coming up: Aaron Taylor-Johnson. The British actor, known from films like “Bullet Train” and the upcoming “28 Years Later,” seems to have piqued the interest of Bond fans. At the world premiere of his new film in London, Taylor-Johnson was asked directly about his future. His vague answers, such as "I'm not allowed to talk about that," were interpreted by many as a promising indication of possible negotiations for the role of 007. So reported Radio Hochstift.

The speculation surrounding Taylor-Johnson is by no means out of thin air. A month ago he was introduced as the new brand ambassador for Omega, the watch brand that has always been associated with James Bond. This connection has further fueled the rumor mill and led many fans to believe that Taylor-Johnson could play a central role in the next Bond film. However, negotiations for the next James Bond film, also known as Lien 26, remain unclear. Producers including Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson recently handed over creative control of the film series to Amazon MGM Studios. This leaves the question of when and with whom the famous franchise will be continued.

The competition for the 007 role

The current situation surrounding Daniel Craig's successor is also reflected in an exciting competitive situation. Taylor-Johnson was initially considered the favorite for the role of the new Bond, but his position has recently changed. The actor James Norton is now considered the hottest candidate - the betting odds are 9/4 for him and 5/2 for Taylor-Johnson. Avresco reports that the other candidates also include Henry Cavill (3/1), Rege-Jean Page (7/2) and Tom Hardy (8/1). Producer Barbara Broccoli has also stressed that she is open to casting a "non-star," reminiscent of the much-discussed George Lazenby, who once took on the role.

The ongoing discussions and uncertain future of the James Bond franchise continue to fuel interest in Aaron Taylor-Johnson. After Daniel Craig, who played the role from 2006 to 2021, the chances are good for Taylor-Johnson and his fellow contestants that the next film could cause a sensation.

A bit of Bond history

The Bond franchise has come a long way since it began with Sean Connery in 1962's Dr. No. Craig held the record as the longest-running Bond actor until he stepped down from the role. With Amazon's acquisition of MGM in 2022 and current moves toward creative control, the future of the fresh, new 007 becomes all the more interesting. Amazon reportedly invested $1 billion in 2023 to fully acquire the rights to the franchise Independent.

How the situation will develop further remains to be seen. The only thing that is certain is that Aaron Taylor-Johnson remains in conversation and fans of the series are eagerly awaiting any news.