Aaron Taylor-Johnson may not be a shoe in to play James Bond after reports suggested as much - and a fellow British actor is now leaping up the odds tables.
Last month, it was reported by some outlets that 33-year-old Aaron had been cast in the iconic role. But now it is being suggested that 34-year-old Welsh actor Taron Egerton could be up for the job. Bond production company EON and main producer Barbara Broccoli have had a Daniel Craig shaped hole in the franchise ever since the 56-year-old actor opted to walk away from the film series.
Daniel’s last outing as suave MI6 spy James was in the 2021 film No Time To Die - and there has been fierce debate as to who would replace the blonde haired actor. Aaron had been reported as landing the role, but now betting odds are shifting to suggest Taron could yet snatch the role.
While Aaron has appeared in a string of action movies - including the Marvel blockbuster Avengers: Age of Ultron and the darkly comedic Kick-Ass film series - he could face stiff competition from Taron. The mildly older actor played a spy in the Kingsman film series - and also cemented himself as a lead actor by playing Sir Elton John in a critically and commercially successful biopic of the singer titled Rocketman.
Now Gambling.com has reduced odds on Taron taking over as Bond. They said: "Back in April 2023, the 34-year-old said he doesn’t think he is the right choice for the role. Fast forward a year and the Tetris star’s stock is only getting bigger and he could be in line to take over from Craig as Bond."
Last month, there was a frenzy as reposts suggested Aaron had already won the role. John Hill from Coral explained at the time that they were suspending bets over the identity of the next 007. He said: "We have pulled the plug on our next James Bond betting to let the dust settle... If reports are to be believed, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who has been our favourite for the last 12 months, could be set to replace Daniel Craig."
While a source fanned flames of speculation by telling The Sun: "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 is concerned, Aaron is going to sign his contract in the coming days and they can start preparing for the big announcement."
But ever since the casting was suggested, other sources with close links to the film franchise have rubbished claims that anyone has been cast in the role. Appearing on The One Show recently, Rory Kinnear - who played Bill Tanner in four of Daniel Craig's Bond films - said: "I always feel slightly bad for the people who are being highlighted, because that never tends to be them. They (Eon) are very good at keeping the real person secret."
While Bond author Charlie Higson warned in May last year that any actor mentioned as potentially becoming the next 007, it usually means: "You know that they've been rejected." He added: "Eon (Productions), who make the films, play their cards very close to the chest and a lot of times they really surprise people... in particular, Daniel Craig. Nobody had any idea at all that he might be Bond and, if you'd been asked in advance, you'd have said 'Daniel Craig, James Bond? Surely not'."
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