The Next James Bond: Rumors Surround Aaron Taylor-Johnson, but Has He Really Been Officially Cast?
The speculation surrounding the next actor to don the iconic tuxedo and assume the role of James Bond has once again intensified after British tabloid “The Sun” reported that 33-year-old British actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson had been offered the part.
According to the unverified report, The Sun’s source claimed, “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.” However, News Finder, as well as a source familiar with the situation, has confirmed that Johnson has not been officially cast as Bond. Furthermore, BBC News reported that there is no truth to the rumors about Taylor-Johnson’s casting.
Taylor-Johnson first gained recognition as a mainstream actor with his role in the 2008 teen comedy “Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging,” followed by his breakout performance in the 2010 action-comedy “Kickass.” In 2017, he garnered critical acclaim and a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Nocturnal Animals.”
The debate about who would succeed Daniel Craig as the next James Bond has been ongoing for years. Other actors mentioned as potential candidates include British actor Henry Cavill and Irish actor Cillian Murphy, who recently received a vote of confidence from former Bond Pierce Brosnan. “Cillian would do a magnificent job as James Bond on Her Majesty’s Secret Service,” said Brosnan to the BBC.
Furthermore, there have been long-standing discussions about Idris Elba being a contender for the first black James Bond. Elba himself acknowledged the buzz but expressed his reservations regarding the controversy that followed. “Those who weren’t happy about the idea made the whole thing disgusting and off-putting because it became about race,” Elba shared on the “Smartless” Podcast in 2023.
The question remains when an official announcement will be made or when production of the next installment in the illustrious sixty-plus-year franchise will commence. Michael G. Wilson, James Bond film producer for Eon Productions, assured Deadline last year, “There will always be a Bond.”
