Ever since Daniel Craig confirmed that No Time to Die would be his lasting outing as James Bond, the casting rumour mill for 007 has gone into overdrive.
Numerous names have been linked with the Bond role over the past couple of years including Henry Cavill, Idris Elba, Tom Hardy, Kit Harrington, Rege Jean-Page, Sam Heughan, Paul Mescal and Richard Madden.
According to new reports, there is one actor who is currently the favourite - Aaron Taylor-Johnson.
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“Aaron went for a screen test to be the next Bond in September and producers and Barbara loved him," a source told The Sun.
"He is now one of the front-runners… Aaron has impressed bosses so much that he has filmed one of the franchise’s famous gun barrel teaser scenes, something all the Bond actors do. That move takes him a step closer to signing a deal. Bosses at the brand were really impressed with his unique blend of acting intensity and his impressive back catalogue of action films.”
Franchise producer Barbara Broccoli has previously confirmed that we will not see a younger version of Bond, which means an actor mid-30s and older will likely be cast.
Taylor-Johnson, known for hits like Kick-Ass, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Nowhere Boy and Bullet Train, will turn 33 this summer and could be 34 when filming finally begins.
According to Oddschecker, he is now 2/1 favourite to be the new 007.
Taylor-Johnson the new Bond?
The actor has previously been grilled about his links to the Bond role, but he has played his cards close to his chest.
"It's flattering," he told Vanity Fair.
"You can have something really positive (written about you), but you can also have something really negative that can circulate. You just want to stay in your lane, stay grounded, stay around the people that you love and love you back, and stay in that world.
"The moment you start believing the s**t people say about you, you've lost your f**king mind. You've lost it."
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