Rumors swirl around Aaron Taylor-Johnson possibly stepping into the iconic role of James Bond. Here's the latest on the hunt for the next 007

By M Muzamil Shami

Once more, the speculation regarding who will assume the role of 007 has been stirred, not shaken.

While the moniker might echo "Bond, James Bond," the identity of the next actor to portray the iconic spy remains shrouded in mystery.

According to a report from the U.K. tabloid The Sun, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, known for his role in "Kraven the Hunter," is the latest contender to step into Daniel Craig's shoes. The report, citing an unnamed source, suggests that Taylor-Johnson has been offered the role with the statement, "Bond is Aaron’s job, should he wish to accept it," and anticipates his imminent agreement. However, a separate source close to the matter has refuted this claim to EW.

EW has sought comments from EON Productions, MGM, and Taylor-Johnson's representatives regarding this speculation.

       Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Daniel Craig. [Image Source: Getty Images]

And thus, the ongoing speculation regarding the successor to the 007 role has been stirred once more. So, what's the current state of affairs? Here's your comprehensive guide to the quest for the next James Bond.

Who makes the decision?

Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, the producers of the Bond franchise and real-life half-siblings, are spearheading the quest to find a successor to Craig, who portrayed the iconic character in the last five films: Casino Royale (2006), Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012), Spectre (2015), and No Time to Die (2021).

When can we expect to find out?

In June 2022, Broccoli stated that there were no contenders for the role and anticipated it would take a minimum of two years before the character could grace the big screen again. "There's no script in place, and crafting one depends on our approach to the next film, as we're essentially reinventing Bond," Broccoli explained. "We're redefining his character, and that's a process requiring considerable time. I'd estimate filming to commence no sooner than two years from now."

Several months later, Broccoli informed EW that the consideration for casting would commence in 2023. She cautioned against anticipation, stating, "No one should be waiting by the phone yet." Emphasizing the preliminary stage of the process, she mentioned, "We haven't begun the hunt." Broccoli articulated the need for a comprehensive assessment of the direction of the Bond series before initiating casting discussions. She indicated, "We're going to be sort of sitting down and trying to figure out where the Bond series is going to go, and we need to do that first, to get a sense of that, before we start casting for the role. So we'll start thinking about that sometime next year."

Therefore, considering this, the year being 2024 implies that, based on their own statements, Broccoli and Wilson ought to be diligently engaged in casting for the new Bond film.

Who is under consideration?

Setting aside tabloid rumors and internet speculation, the actors in contention for the role of James Bond remain uncertain. However, names like James Norton, Damson Idris, Tom Hardy, Henry Cavill, Regé-Jean Page, Richard Madden, and Taylor-Johnson have all been mentioned in discussions at various times.

Fans have long championed Idris Elba for the role, but in a 2022 interview with The Wall Street Journal, Elba expressed doubts about portraying Bond, stating, "When I look in the mirror, I don't see James Bond."

Recently, there were reports favoring Cillian Murphy for the role, with former Bond actor Pierce Brosnan endorsing the idea during an interview with the BBC, saying, "Cillian [Murphy] would do a magnificent job as James Bond on His Majesty's Secret Service," following a Sun report earlier this year.

Amidst discussions about a potential "reinvention" for the iconic character, the question arises: could a woman step into the role? While the notion isn't entirely off the table, Barbara Broccoli had previously expressed skepticism regarding a gender swap. "Bond is male," she asserted in a 2018 interview with The Guardian. "He's a male character. He was written as a male, and I think he'll probably stay as a male."

Broccoli emphasized the importance of creating new, compelling female characters rather than altering established male ones. "We don't have to turn male characters into women," she remarked. "Let's just create more female characters and make the story fit those female characters."

Ana de Armas, known for her captivating portrayal of Paloma in "No Time to Die," echoed similar sentiments in July 2022. "There is no need for a female Bond," she stated. "What I would like is that the female roles in the Bond films, even though Bond will continue to be a man, are brought to life in a different way." She emphasized the significance of providing these roles with more depth and recognition, suggesting that such an approach would be more intriguing than simply flipping the gender of the lead character.