British actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson has reportedly met with producers about playing the role of the next James Bond, almost two years after Daniel Craig portrayed the international man of mystery for the final time in No Time To Die.
Craig, 54, is renowned for his iconic role as James Bond - starring in five movies about the fictional character from 2006 to 2021 - a feat fellow actors Sean Connery, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, and Piers Brosnan have also accomplished.
Since Craig hung up the keys to his Aston Martin as 007, numerous other actors have been rumored to take on the part, namely Idris Elba and Tom Hardy.
However, it looks like there could be someone else as the frontrunner already.
Now, it seems fans of the iconic franchise may have an answer after it is reported that Taylor-Johnson has met with producers about becoming the next James Bond.
In fact, Collider detailed that the Bullet Train actor had met with producer Barbara Broccoli - the woman behind many Bond films. Puck News detailed that Taylor-Johnson performed "very well" in an audition for the role, though it's unclear what the next steps are as nothing has been confirmed yet.
The Sun reported in December that Taylor-Johnson had even shot the gun barrel footage seen in numerous Bond movies over the years.
A source told the outlet: "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 catalog of action films."
Taylor-Johnson appears to fit the direction in which Bond producers have previously stated they wish to go - with co-producer Michael G. Wilson telling Deadline that the team is looking to cast a 30-something-year-old industry veteran. "We've tried looking at younger people in the past. But trying to visualize it doesn't work. Remember, Bond's already a veteran. He's had some experience," he said.
"He's a person who has been through the wars, so to speak. He's probably been in the SAS or something. He isn't some kid out of high school that you can bring in and start off. That's why it works for a 30-something," Wilson added.
Evidently, that's why Taylor-Johnson seems fitting for the role. As an actor, the father-of-two has had roles in Kick-Ass, Anna Karenina, Savages, and Avengers: Age of Ultron - proving his status as a veteran actor with significant experience. Having a role as Bond, however, would no doubt send his career to stratospheric levels.