James Bond frontrunner revolts against label with anti-007 transformation
As his odds shorten, the beard lengthens.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson may be favourite to take up the 007 mantle from Daniel Craig, but his recent transformation suggests otherwise.
The James Bond favourite, 35, has grown out his locks into a shaggy mob and great big bushy beard, looking worlds apart from the suave, clean-shaven British spy we’re used to.
Attending the screening of Love + War at the BFI London Film Festival on Sunday, Aaron channeled Sons of Anarchy over Bond aesthetics, wearing a leather jacket and low-buttoned black shirt for the occasion, alongside his wife Sam Taylor-Johnson, 58.
Perhaps he’s rebelling against the Bond odds, which are very much stacked in his favour – and have been for quite some time – alongside other potentials including Masters of the Air star Callum Turner, Superman’s Henry Cavill, and Slow Horses actor Jack Lowden.
Ever since Daniel, 57, announced No Time To Die would be his final hurrah as the tortured spy in 2019, speculation has swirled about who will be taking his place, and speculation aside we’re not much closer to finding out six years on.
Aaron posed with his new look alongside his wife Sam Taylor-Johnson, on the left, and Lynsey Addario at London Film Festival (Picture: Lia Toby/Getty Images for BFI) He’s got all the ingredients – but is he resisting the 007 rumours with his lanky locks? (Picture: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock)Bond’s death in the 2021 film marked the end of an era, as did Amazon MGM Studios acquiring the franchise after a 68-year chapter under the Broccoli family’s creative control.
We know a few truths so far: Dune director Denis Villeneuve has signed on to direct the next instalment, with Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight writing the script.
While no one has confirmed the next Bond, Aaron remains favourite – not just for his impeccable jawline or his emergence into the spotlight as John Lennon in 2009’s Nowhere Boy – but he’s also dropped some cryptic hints.
As whispers have turned into mumbles about the Bullet Train star’s possible tuxedoed future, when asked by Deadline in June what his next project is, he replied with a smile and simply said: ‘I can’t talk about it.’
Aaron has given some coy responses to journalists in recent months on the topic of Bond (Picture: Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)While this could be a reasonable response for many projects, the high level of secrecy surrounding James Bond made some people think this was as good as confirmation.
Of course, it wasn’t. But there have been further clues. In May Aaron was announced as a global ambassador for Omega watch brand – a make which has decorated the wrists of James Bonds for 30 years since Pierce Brosnan all the way up to Daniel’s final mission in No Time To Die.
Who will be the next James Bond?As it stands, the Ladbrokes James Bond odds are:
Aaron Taylor-Johnson – 1/1 favourite Callum Turner – 4/1 Henry Cavill – 4/1 Theo James – 10/1 Harris Dickinson – 12/1 Jonathan Bailey – 12/1 Tom Holland – 12/1 Jack Lowden – 14/1 Jacob Elordi – 20/1 Henry Golding – 20/1 Josh O’Connor – 25/1Not to rain on the Bond parade, but it is rumoured this new rugged look from Aaron is for a new role in Werwulf, which will see him collaborate once again with Nosferatu director Robert Eggers.
It was reported in March last year that Aaron had been offered the role, but this story was quickly shut down as an insider told the BBC there was ‘no truth’ in claims Aaron was joining the franchise.
One thing is for sure: Aaron is being awfully coy about his next role following 28 Years Later and its sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, which are being filmed back-to-back.
Who is to say it isn’t Bond? No one, apparently, apart from Aaron’s big old beard…
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