There have even been multiple polls, with the internet sharing their opinions on who they think would make the perfect Bond.
One name that keeps coming up amid the hype? Aaron Taylor-Johnson. In fact, the British actor recently had a “top secret meeting” with Bond producer Barbara Broccoli, according to Vanity Fair.
When asked by Esquire about the prospect of playing a role as legendary as Craig’s successor, Taylor-Johnson, 33, replied saying it would be “exciting to consider” – without confirming or denying the speculations. He was then questioned about the likelihood of Man of Steel actor Henry Cavill taking the torch, to which he said, somewhat cryptically, “I mean, if you’re a betting man …”
So what do we know about this potential Bond-to-be – and does he have what it takes?
Aaron Taylor Johnson is a British actor
The English stage, TV and film actor was born in Wycombe, Buckinghamshire in 1990.
According to his IMDB profile, Taylor-Johnson hails from English-Russian Jewish descent and has one sister Gemma Johnson, who played a small role in his film Tom & Thomas in 2002.
He was a teen heartthrob in Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging
Taylor-Johnson has been acting since he was a kid. According to TV Guide, he made his first appearance at age six in Macbeth in 1999, and scored a role in Arthur Miller’s All My Sons a year later.
He starred in a handful of gigs, including Shanghai Knights (2003) with Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson and The Illusionist (2006) with Edward Norton and Jessica Biel, then gained relative notoriety for his role as heartthrob Robbie in 2008’s feel-good teen comedy Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging.
He’s starred in a string of popular films
He’s modelled for Calvin Klein
With his ripped physique and chiselled jawline, it was only going to be a matter of time before fashion brands like Calvin Klein tapped into his growing stardom and fan base by collaborating with the actor.
He featured in the label’s spring 2023 collection. One of the most pleasant surprises from the viral video, however, was his dancing – a skill that he shows off every now and then, like for Rhye’s “Black Rain” music video, which was directed by his wife.
His wife Sam Taylor-Johnson is 23 years older than him
Aaron and his wife Sam Taylor-Johnson have one of the biggest age gaps in Hollywood, with her being 23 years older than him. Although they have proven their long-time romance knows no bounds, the two have caused controversy in the past due to the fact that Aaron met director Sam when he was 18 and she was 42, per Cosmopolitan. Aaron was auditioning for the John Lennon biopic Nowhere Boy, a film that Sam directed, when they first crossed paths, states Newsweek.
After wrapping up filming, the actor proposed to Sam in 2009, and they had their first child together a year later, per People magazine. They now have four kids, including two from Sam’s previous marriage. Sam is now 56.
In 2019, Aaron told The Telegraph: “When I met Sam I’d already lived a life far beyond that of most of my contemporaries – I didn’t relate to anyone my age. I just feel that we’re on the same wavelength.”
A-list events and celebrity circles
Considering the films that Taylor-Johnson has starred in and the roster of high-profile actors he’s worked with from a young age, it’s hardly surprising to hear that he’s part of Hollywood’s tight-knit circles.
Who else is in the running for the coveted role of James Bond?
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