Will Aaron Taylor Johnson Be the Next James Bond?

The web lit up final week over rumors that Aaron Taylor-Johnson, 33, is likely to be the brand new James Bond. The following contender to play 007 has lengthy been a supply of dialog for the British media — chatter that began properly earlier than Daniel Craig even announced he was leaving the role in 2019. The frenzy for armchair casting has meant that just about each British actor between the ages of 20 and 45 — together with Tom Hardy, Tom Hiddleston, James Norton, Regé-Jean Web page and Idris Elba — has been bandied about as a chance. However rumors that Mr. Taylor-Johnson had been “formally offered” the role appear extra pervasive than most.

Would Mr. Taylor-Johnson be an impressed selection? He ticks not less than two standards current in earlier Bonds: He’s a person, and he’s received a British accent.

An English actor and star of flicks like “Kick-Ass,” “Nocturnal Animals” and “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” Mr. Taylor-Johnson has additionally obtained public backing from former Bonds together with Pierce Brosnan, who is Irish, and George Lazenby, who’s Australian.

Prematurely of the official casting announcement, members of the Types desk mentioned who may inherit probably the most well-known tuxedo in cinema.

Vanessa Friedman I feel it’s time for Bond to be shaken-up (not stirred). I forged my vote for both Dev Patel or Regé-Jean Web page. Some variety would assist deliver Bond into the semi-modern period.

Elizabeth Paton There was an unlimited quantity of pearl clutching when Mr. Craig was forged as a result of he was — gasp — blond! That was the extent of the variety dialog within the early 2000s.

Man Trebay James Blond.

EP Would Dev Patel take it? Some actors see Bond as a poisoned chalice as a result of it may well show difficult to get forged or acknowledged for roles past that one.

GT There are worse fates than typecasting. Daniel Craig has been profitable with counter casting since Bond.

VF Given the explosion of superhero motion pictures, it’s much less of a problem than it was. Now reserving one in every of these blockbusters is form of a badge of honor.

EP Idris Elba has confirmed he isn’t within the function. He would have been fabulous. Whereas Regé-Jean Web page could be charming as he was in Bridgerton, I ponder how ruthless he may look holding an assault rifle? I’ve additionally heard Henry Golding being bandied round.

VF There’s room for a silky-smooth Bond. Web page and Golding appear extra within the Pierce Brosnan Bond lineage than the Connery/Craig one. Nonetheless, I feel Dev Patel’s appearing chops are already established, so he might actually have enjoyable with the function. I might additionally like to see a woman Bond, however that is likely to be a Bond too far.

GT Ruth Wilson, ahem. Or, extra commercially, Jennifer Lawrence, in full “Crimson Sparrow” mode.

EP I might be stunned if Barbara Broccoli opted for conventionally good trying, established stars like James Norton, Tom Hardy or Jamie Dornan this time round. Then once more, Aaron Taylor-Johnson teeters on the sting of that (when folks get previous his slightly unconventional but very long standing marriage). He’s well-known, however not too well-known, and as a white Englishman concerning the most secure possible possibility. Although he does have a chameleonic high quality to his work.

VF With the discharge of “The Fall Man,” with Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, his title recognition will go means up. However he could be extra like James Bond Jr. — or James’s long-lost cousin who has been on missionary obligation in a international land and picked up all kinds of attention-grabbing martial arts strategies alongside the best way. Bond is such a cushty outdated franchise, it might use an injection of shock for the subsequent stage.

GT A lot as I might watch any of the early Bond motion pictures once more (and repeatedly) I’m greater than prepared for a swap up within the components.

EP To that time, I feel that’s why (spoiler alert!) Mr. Craig’s Bond died in the last movie — to make means for a really new incarnation. So many individuals stay invested on this casting selection although. Do many different main film heroes get the identical quantity of curiosity?

VF Superman and Batman get taken very severely. Simply ask Ben Affleck.

GT Bond is a cartoon of masculinity and at all times was. Since we stay in an period of camp cartoon franchises, what we could be positive of is that whoever is forged may have a Ralph Fiennes accent and a “Magic Mike” physique.

VF C’mon guys, who’s your fantasy selection?

EP I don’t have a front-runner. I had my coronary heart set on Idris.

GT I’d like to listen to who Tom Ford would forged. His costuming of Daniel Craig was instrumental in resuscitating the franchise.

VF Possibly he might even direct one! Now, that I wish to see.

EP Dev Patel directed by Tom Ford. Is that our profitable combo?

GT With Ford himself doing a cameo as “M.”