James Bond producers insist they HAVEN'T cast Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the new ... trends now
Insiders have denied reports that Aaron Taylor-Johnson has been cast as the new James Bond.
The Sun reported that the British actor had been 'formally offered the opportunity to play James Bond', putting an end to months of speculation regarding Daniel Craig's successor.
But the BBC has now put an end to speculation, with a production insider revealing that there is 'no truth in the rumours'.
The initial report suggested that the deal was all but done with Aaron who was on the verge of officially accepting the role of a lifetime, which would have made him only the seventh actor to play the iconic British secret agent since the franchise launched in 1962.
A recent poll suggested Idris Elba was still the public's number one choice for the role, despite being 51 - old for a Bond candidate - and already ruling himself out of the running in order to focus on his crime drama, Luther.
Insiders have denied reports that Aaron Taylor-Johnson has been cast as the new James Bond
The Sun reported that the British actor had been 'formally offered the opportunity to play James Bond ', putting an end to months of speculation regarding Daniel Craig 's successor (Daniel as Bond in 2006)
A recent poll suggested Idris Elba was still the public's number one choice for the role, despite being 51 - old for a Bond candidate - and already ruling himself out of the running in order to focus on his crime drama, Luther (pictured last week)
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Aaron for comment.
Responding to the rumours that he could step into Bond's shoes last week, Aaron played coy, telling Numero: 'I find it charming and wonderful that people see me in that role. I take it as a great compliment.'
He began acting as a child and has seen his career go from strength to strength, with three huge film appearance this year alone.
Aaron will be starring as a famous action star who goes missing in The Fall Guy, opposite Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt.
And he will also be appearing in the hotly anticipated remake of 1922 gothic horror Nosferatu, directed by Robert Eggers and featuring a star-studded cast, including Bill Skarsgård, Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp and Willem Dafoe.
But Aaron's biggest upcoming role will see him rejoin the superhero universe, as he will be playing the titular role in Kraven the Hunter, the fifth film in Sony's Spider-Man Universe.
He also has been nominated for two BAFTAs and previously won Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Globes for Nocturnal Animals.
But Aaron, who is known for his roles in Nocturnal Animals, Kick-Ass, Nowhere Boy and Avengers: Age of Ultron, has landed the coveted part, reports The Sun (pictured 2022)
He began acting as a child and has seen his career go from strength to strength, with three huge film appearance this year alone (pictured in The Fall Guy)
The Bullet Train star's name has been in the running for Bond for a while now, alongside fellow A-list contenders like Tom Hardy, Henry Cavill and recent Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy.
In October last year, the Mail exclusively revealed that Aaron was the 'one to beat' to take the iconic role, while Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan was looking likely to helm the next film in the franchise.
The insider said: 'Aaron Taylor-Johnson is currently the hot favorite to step into the iconic role, he's the first choice for Barbara Broccoli – he is the one to beat.'
They added of Christopher: 'He is extremely interested in doing something very different with the franchise. If he can get his way with producers, then he is all for it.'
It was previously reported that the Oscar-winning director wanted to direct the next Bond film as a period piece set in the same as the original source material – something that director Quentin Tarantino had previously wanted to do with Casino Royale, but was turned down.
However, the insider added: 'Whether Nolan coming on board will affect the casting of Aaron Taylor-Johnson is currently a grey area – as he's very particular with who he works with.'
Christopher is known for consistently using similar casts in his films, working with fellow rumoured Bond stars, Tom and Cillian, on multiple films, including Inception, Dunkirk and The Dark Knight Rises.
Christopher worked with Aaron on 2020 film Tenet, in which the actor played military commander Ives.
In October last year, the Mail exclusively revealed that Aaron was the 'one to beat' to take the iconic role, while Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan was looking likely to helm the next film in the franchise (pictured this month)
In March 2023, Aaron was said to have completed a screen test at Pinewood Studios with Bond boss Barbara and impressed her.
According to the Mail On Sunday, Barbara has made it clear she wanted the next actor to portray the character for 15 years.
Outside of acting, Aaron's personal life has generated much public interest, due to the large age gap between him and his wife.
He tied the knot with Sam Taylor-Johnson, 57, in June 2012, and they share daughters Wylda Rae, 13, and Romy Hero, 11.
Fifty Shades of Grey director Sam also has two older daughters - Angelica, 26, and Jessie, 17, with her ex-husband Jay Jopling.
Their relationship has caused controversy, as the couple met while filming Nowhere Boy in 2009, which Sam directed, when Aaron was 18 and she was 42, going on to welcome their first daughter Wylda the following year.
Sam previously spoke about falling for Aaron on the set, but insisted nothing happened until the movie wrapped.
She said: 'I managed to hold off really until almost the end of the film. We
