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- Rumours have been swirling about Aaron-Taylor Johnson being offered the role of James Bond, but nothing has been confirmed.
- Anticipation has been mounting for who will play the iconic role next; Daniel Craig last played the character in 2021 for 'No Time to Die'.
- "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," a source told the British tabloid The Sun.
Rumours that Aaron-Taylor Johnson was offered the role of James Bond have been swirling after a story published by the British tabloid, The Sun.
The publication wrote that the 33-year-old was "formally offered the job" and that "he [is] expected to accept the role as 007".
"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. As far as Eon [the production company behind the franchise] is concerned, Aaron is going to sign his contract in the coming days and they can start preparing for the big announcement," a source told the publication.
However, no official confirmation has been made. The production company behind James Bond and Taylor-Johnson's team have not made any announcement.
Other reports have stated that the rumours are not based on fact, according to CNN.
The British actor first had his mainstream breakthrough with the role Robbie Jennings in the teen comedy Angus, Thongs and the Perfect Snogging. He featured in several films prior.
His next big role will be in the comedy superhero movie Kick-Ass, in which he played the titular character. He will continue to appear in other superhero films, including Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Avengers: Age of Ultron as Pietro Maximoff.
He also acted in blockbusters Bullet Train, Tenet and Godzilla and will play the lead in Marvel's Kraven the Hunter.
Taylor-Johnson even won a Golden Globe in the category of Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Ray Marcus in Nocturnal Animals (2016).
The actor has putatively been in the running for the iconic role, along with other performers, such as Tom Hardy, Idris Elba, Lashana Lynch, Henry Cavill, Cillian Murphy and more.
Taylor-Johnson is still considered the favourite for the role, followed by Cavill and Damson Idris, according to MyBettingSites.co.uk. Other possible contenders include Regé-Jean Page and James Norton.
Pierce Brosnan, who played James Bond from 1995 to 2002, gave his approval for Cillian Murphy as 007.
Brosnan told the BBC:
Elba was initially flattered that there was speculation that he could be cast.
"I was like, 'This is crazy!' Because James Bond… We're all actors and we understand that role. It's one of those coveted [roles]," Elba said about the speculation on the SmartLess podcast.
However Elba grew less enthusiastic about the prospect after experiencing racial backlash.
"Those who weren't happy about the idea made the whole thing disgusting and off-putting, because it became about race. It became about nonsense, and I got the brunt of it," he continued.
The search for the next James Bond is headed by franchise producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson, according to Entertainment Weekly.
Daniel Craig is exiting the Bond franchise, having played in Casino Royale (2006), Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012), Spectre (2015) and No Time To Die (2021).
READ | James Bond to be 'reinvented' for next installment
In 2022, Broccoli shared that it would take at least two years for Bond to return to the big screen. A reinvention for the spy character had also been planned.
James Bond's role has evolved since the franchise's debut with Sean Connery in Dr. No (1962). Subsequent actors Roger Moore, George Lazenby, Timothy Dalton, Brosnan and Craig have all had different interpretations.
Craig has even given advice to whoever plays James Bond next.
"Don't fuck it up," the 55-year-old actor said on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
"It's a beautiful, amazing thing. Leave it better than when you found it," he added.
In a 2021 interview with Kevin Hart on the SiriusXM show Straight From the Hart, Craig started his advice with: "There's a couple of things I'd say, but I mean, one is don't be shit."
"I would say you've got to grab it and make it your own. I think that's the way to go forward," he added.
"I mean, I just committed myself to it as much as I possibly could and tried to sort of elevate it as much as I could," the actor added.
"I hope I've left it in a good place and I hope the next person can just make it fly."
When Hart pressed him for who he thinks the next Bond will be, Craig couldn't provide an answer.
"It's not my problem," the actor said, making Hart laugh out loud.
"I've got enough on my plate without having to figure that one out. That's a brain ache. I don't need that."
"Whoever it is, you know what, they'll find someone brilliant and it'll be great and I’ll be front and centrer. I’ll be at the front seat of a cinema with my popcorn and a drink because I can't wait," he continued.
