Aaron Taylor-Johnson may be the next James Bond, British tabloid newspaper The Sun reported on Tuesday, citing an unnamed source.
The source reportedly said Eon Productions, which produces the franchise, formally offered Taylor-Johnson the role. The company has been searching for a new actor to take on the character since 2022, when the previous Bond, Daniel Craig, stepped down after filming the 25th movie in the franchise, "No Time To Die."
A representative for EON Productions did not immediately respond to Business Insider's comment request. Taylor-Johnson's reps declined to comment.
Taylor-Johnson has been a frontrunner for the role, but Idris Elba, Henry Cavill, Tom Hardy, and Regé Jean-Page have also emerged as fan favorites.
Launching 61 years ago, the "Bond" films make up one of the highest-grossing franchises ever, pulling in $5 billion across 25 movies, according to Box Office Mojo. Two additional "Bond" movies, "Never Say Never" and the 1967 version of "Casino Royale" were not made by EON productions.
In 2015, researchers at the London School of Marketing estimated that the brand was worth $19.9bn, including DVD sales and merchandising, the International Business Times UK reported.
"Bond 26," the next movie, will likely be a hard reset for the franchise since Craig's Bond died in his final mission in "No Time To Die."
In 2022, Michael G. Wilson, co-owner of EON productions and a producer of the "Bond" movies, said during a London BFI event that they were looking for someone in their 30s to be the next 007.
In walks Taylor-Johnson, 33, who has not only starred in spy films before but has also taken part in major movie productions, giving him the skills to handle the juggernaut "Bond" franchise.
Here are seven roles that prove Taylor Johnson is ready to be the world's greatest spy.