Summary

Aaron Taylor-Johnson remains ambiguous about whether he will play the next James Bond, focusing instead on Kraven the Hunter. Taylor-Johnson addresses Henry Cavill’s potential 007 casting, suggesting that the actor could be a safe bet for the role. Taylor-Johnson dancing around James Bond questions and not outright denying his involvement could suggest that talks are ongoing behind the scenes.

James Bond frontunner Aaron Taylor-Johnson dances around the 007 conversation in a new interview, and it’s still entirely unclear whether he will be playing the role or not. After first joining the franchise in 2006 with Casino Royale, Daniel Craig bid farewell to Bond in 2021’s No Time To Die. Now, about two years after the film’s release, the next 007 still has yet to be announced, but rumors have long swirled that Taylor-Johnson is a top contender.

In a recent interview with Esquire, Taylor-Johnson very indirectly discusses his James Bond odds and neither confirms nor denies anything regarding his possible involvement in the casting process. Instead, he expresses that his sole focus right now is on his Kraven the Hunter film. “It’s not really for me to say anything,” Taylor-Johnson says when pressed about Bond. It’s not clear whether he can’t say anything because he doesn’t know or won’t say anything because he’s not allowed. Adding to the confusion, the actor then comments on Henry Cavill’s 007 chances, saying, “I mean, if you’re a betting man…”.

Will Aaron Taylor-Johnson Be The Next James Bond?

While Taylor-Johnson’s latest comments do little to clear up his ongoing Bond casting rumors, the actor, notably, doesn’t deny them outright. His somewhat vague answers and repeated statements regarding focusing only on what is right in front of him could suggest, simply, that conversations regarding 007 are ongoing for him. If no decision has been made regarding the role yet by Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, then it’s certainly understandable why Taylor-Johnson wouldn’t want to definitively comment on it.

Taylor-Johnson’s comment about Cavill is also very interesting. Cavill was, at one point, considered for Casino Royale but was deemed too young, but, since Craig’s farewell, the Man of Steel actor has once again become a popular choice. Taylor-Johnson could have simply been trying to evade the issue entirely and divert attention elsewhere, but he may also know more than he’s letting on about Cavill’s chances and discussions that are possibly going on behind the scenes.

Ultimately, however, nothing is official regarding the next James Bond and Taylor-Johnson’s comments only create more questions. Even the rumor that started it all, that Taylor-Johnson had a productive meeting with Broccoli about the role earlier this year, has not been confirmed, with James Bond casting director Debbie McWilliams saying back in April that serious talks about Craig’s replacement hadn’t even started. For now, those looking for more information regarding the next 007 will just have to wait.

Source: Esquire