Aaron Taylor-Johnson is rumoured to be the next actor poised to portray the iconic fictional spy James Bond.

The British actor, renowned for his role as a superhero in Kick-Ass, has long been speculated as a potential successor to Daniel Craig following Craig’s departure from the franchise after 2021’s No Time To Die.

According to The Sun, Eon Productions, the company responsible for producing most of the James Bond films adapted from Ian Fleming’s novels, has extended an offer to Taylor-Johnson for the lead role.

Reportedly, Taylor-Johnson is inclined to accept the offer, with plans for filming to commence later this year at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire.

A source disclosed to 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.” The Standard reached out to Taylor-Johnson’s representative and an Eon Production spokesperson for comment.

Recently, Taylor-Johnson wrapped up filming for the Marvel superhero film Kraven The Hunter, where he portrayed the titular character and a villain in Spider-Man. Additionally, he is slated to appear in The Fall Guy alongside Ryan Gosling.

When queried about the Bond role by Numero Magazine last week, Taylor-Johnson responded, “I find it charming and wonderful that people see me in that role. I take it as a great compliment.”

This isn’t the first occasion the 33-year-old actor has reportedly engaged with producers for a clandestine audition post-Craig’s departure in January last year, as per Matthew Belloni of Puck News.

Earlier, in December 2022, The Sun claimed that Taylor-Johnson had filmed the secret agent’s iconic “gun-barrel teaser footage,” a hallmark of the Bond films. A source revealed, “Aaron has impressed bosses so much that he has filmed one of the franchise’s famous gun-barrel teaser scenes, something all the 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.” Taylor-Johnson had notable roles in Avengers: Age Of Ultron and Nocturnal Animals.

Married to Sam Taylor-Johnson, who is over 20 years his senior, Taylor-Johnson has two daughters of his own and two stepdaughters. The couple first met on the set of Nowhere Boy, a film directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson.