Aaron Taylor-Johnson has addressed the backlash surrounding the 23-year age gap between him and his wife.
The Kick-Ass actor met his wife, Sam Taylor-Johnson, after she directed him in her 2009 biographical film Nowhere Boy, in which he starred at age 18.
The couple began dating when Aaron was 19 and tied the knot three years later in the chapel at Babington House. They have welcomed two daughters: Wylda, 13, and Romy Hero, 11.
The 33-year-old Marvel star is also a stepfather to the now-57-year-old filmmaker's children, Angelica, 25, and Jessie, 15, from her previous marriage to Jay Jopling.
Over the years there has been public scrutiny surrounding the couple's marriage because of their two-decade age gap, and the fact that the Hollywood star was a teenager when they began dating.
However, the Bullet Train star appeared to hit back at the criticism in a new interview with Rolling Stone UK, stating that he had to grow up in the public eye.
"What you gotta realize is that what most people were doing in their twenties, I was doing when I was 13," he said, per the outlet. "You’re doing something too quickly for someone else? I don’t understand that. What speed are you supposed to enjoy life at? It’s bizarre to me."
While he gushed that his wife is "a great filmmaker and a wonderful storyteller," Aaron admitted that backlash around their relationship affects him, explaining: "There’s a protectiveness that I feel. I think it’s really difficult. There’s also part of me that feels like if something didn’t work, I’m the one that’s responsible."
"People see and perceive this thing around my career, and that’s OK," he continued. "But I’m just trying to juggle my family and my work. I’m doing normal life; dentist appointments. Career doesn’t necessarily take a back seat, but it takes a different thought behind the choices that you make."
This is not the first time the Kraven The Hunter star opened up about the derision over his marriage as he said during a 2019 interview with the Sunday Telegraph: "That's their problem and their issues and however they perceive life," adding: "I live my life to its fullest and I operate from my instincts and from my heart, and I try to be as open as possible."
Meanwhile, his wife told The Hollywood Reporter in 2017: "If I gave a second thought to other people, I would be the unhappiest person, probably still in a miserable marriage...People like to talk about it. I'm like, 'But it works better than my last marriage.' It's lasted longer than a lot of my friends' marriages."
In 2022, the couple celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary by renewing their vows, with the actor writing on Instagram at the time it was "the most beautiful day".
"We renewed our vows to one another and confessed our love in front of our nearest and dearest friends and family it was a celebration of love and joy! A decade of marriage," he said. "It was a magical unforgettable day and the sun did not stop shining on us both.. we are blessed beyond belief."
"Sammy you are my love, my life, my soulmate, my wife, my world!" he concluded.
The Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging actor has been the subject of headlines this week as reports suggested he has been chosen as the next James Bond.
According to The Sun, Eon Productions, which produces the Bond films that previously starred Daniel Craig, is said to be on board to shoot the new 007 film, and a script is reportedly being worked on at the moment. A source told the outlet: "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."
However, a production insider poured cold water on the speculations this week, telling the BBC there was "no truth" in claims that he was joining the franchise.
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