Aaron Taylor-Johnson has 'not been cast as James Bond' despite speculation
British actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson will not be taking over the role of James Bond from Daniel Craig despite speculation reaching fever pitch this week.
Reports had claimed the Kick Ass actor, 33, had been 'formally' offered 007 and was expected to sign the contract later this week.
Aaron had consistently been among the bookies' favourites for the role and it was claimed he had impressed in a secret audition for producer Barbara Broccoli in 2022.
Now, however, Metro.co.uk understands that Aaron has not been cast in the iconic role.
A production insider also poured cold water on the rumours today and told the BBC there was 'no truth' in claims Aaron was joining the franchise.
On Monday, it was claimed that Aaron had been officially selected as the next 007 by Eon Productions, which has made most of the films in the series adapted from Ian Fleming's novels.
The source said he will likely sign the contract and start filming this year at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire.
They told The Sun: 'Bond is Aaron's job, should he wish to accept it. The formal offer is on the table and they are waiting to hear back.
'As far as Eon is concerned, Aaron is going to sign his contract in the coming days and they can start preparing for the big announcement.'
They also claimed that filming would begin later this year at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire once the contract was signed.
On Monday, Ladbrokes said the actor, from High Wycombe, is still favourite to replace Craig, who bowed out of the franchise in 2021's No Time To Die.
The odds put him ahead of Man Of Steel and The Witcher star Henry Cavill, Snowfall actor Damson Idris, and have added Lady Macbeth star Cosmo Jarvis after he starred in Disney+ Japan-set mini series Shogun.
Aaron has just finished Marvel superhero film Kraven The Hunter after playing the title character and Spider-Man villain. He is also set to appear in The Fall Guy, starring Ryan Gosling.
Last week, he was asked about Bond by Numero Magazine and said: 'I find it charming and wonderful that people see me in that role. I take it as a great compliment.'
In August, he gave a similar cryptic answer to Esquire Magazine when asked if he had been cast as 007.
'I just focus on the things I can have in my hands right now,' Aaron replied. 'What's in front of me right now.'
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It was claimed that Aaron had even shot the iconic gun barrel scene after producers were enthralled by his audition.
'Bosses at the brand were really impressed with his unique blend of acting intensity and his impressive back catalogue of action films,' a source told The Sun.
The day after it was claimed Aaron had been offered Bond, Good Morning Britain star Ed Balls shared his thoughts and was seriously unimpressed by his casting.
As a photograph of Aaron appeared on the ITV show, Ed complained: 'Look at him, that is not a Bond.'
Previously, 007 film series actor Rory Kinnear and young Bond author Charlie Higson have rubbished the idea of a 'frontrunner' for Bond being the person who ends up playing them.
Rory, 46, has starred in the last four Bond films, first appearing in Quantum Of Solace in 2008 as MI6 chief of staff Bill Tanner.
He told The One Show in January last year: 'I always feel slightly bad for the people who are being highlighted, because that never tends to be them. They (Eon) are very good at keeping the real person secret.'
Charlie, who is also an actor and has written the young Bond series, told the PA news agency in May 2023 that if an actor is talked about as 'being considered' as the next 007 'you know that they've been rejected.'
He also said: 'Eon (Productions), who make the films, play their cards very close to the chest and a lot of times they really surprise people in particular, Daniel Craig. Nobody had any idea at all that he might be Bond and, if you'd been asked in advance, you'd have said "Daniel Craig, James Bond? Surely not'"'
Aaron married 57-year-old Fifty Shades of Grey director, Sam Taylor-Johnson after meeting on the set of Nowhere Boy.
In 2022, the couple celebrated 10 years of marriage and marked the occasion by reaffirming their love for one another in the form of renewing their wedding vows.
They share children Wylda Rae, 13, and Romy Hero, 12, together.
Aaron is also stepfather to Angelica, 26, and 18-year-old Jessie, from Sam's previous marriage to Jay Jopling.
He is best known for making his debut back in 2008 comedy Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging, before charming critics once more in 2009's Nowhere Boy as a take on John Lennon.
Aaron has since added an impressive list of films to his resum including Kick-Ass, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Outlaw King, Tenet and Bullet Train.
Metro.co.uk has contacted Eon Productions and Aaron's rep for comment.
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