Aaron Taylor-Johnson, 34, drops huge clue he’s landed James Bond role despite fellow actor becoming new frontrunner
Aaron Taylor-Johnson has sparked fresh speculation that he will be the next James Bond thanks to an all-new career venture.
The Bullet Train actor has become a global ambassador for luxury watchmaker Omega, visiting the brand’s watchmaking home in Bienne, Switzerland, where he enjoyed “an exclusive tour, meeting the watchmakers behind our timepieces”.
The partnership has sent Bond fans into a frenzy, as Omega has had a 30-year association with the 007 franchise, with many interpreting this collaboration as the strongest hint yet that Taylor-Johnson will succeed Daniel Craig as the legendary MI6 agent.
Omega watches have been an integral part of the Bond franchise since 1995, when Pierce Brosnan first sported the brand’s timepiece in GoldenEye. Since then, every actor playing 007 has worn an Omega Seamaster on screen.
Craig continued the tradition throughout his tenure, wearing the luxury watch in his final outing as Bond in No Time to Die.
After his visit to the Omega factory, Taylor-Johnson expressed his admiration for the brand, saying: “I have always had an appreciation for timepieces but especially for Omega. Now, after visiting the factory, I am in awe of the skill required to manufacture such a luxurious product.”
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Fans were quick to interpret the Omega partnership as confirmation of Taylor-Johnson’s casting as Bond, flooding the brand’s Instagram announcement with excited comments. One fan wrote: “STOP, Hold the presses..?! ATJ was invited to the @omega HQ? What secret agent do we know wears an Omega..?”
Another commented: “Do I hear the 007 theme?” whilst a third quipped: “Hello Mr. Bond, we have been expecting you.”
“Bro has to be the new James Bond at this point,” declared one enthusiastic follower, with others simply stating “New James Bond” or noting that it “couldn’t be clearer” that Taylor-Johnson was the next 007. (sic)
Taylor-Johnson has previously downplayed speculation about taking on the iconic role. When asked about the possibility in an interview with Esquire, he simply stated: “It’s not really for me to say anything.”
In a March 2024 interview with Rolling Stone UK, he was equally evasive, saying: “I can only really talk about the things I’m going to show and tell. So, The Fall Guy, Nosferatu, Kraven the Hunter. I’m here to promote those.”
The actor added: “I don’t feel like I need to have a future drawn out for me. I feel like whatever’s drawn out for me, I can f***in’ do better.”
Despite Taylor-Johnson’s reticence, he has received enthusiastic endorsement from former Bond actor Pierce Brosnan, who worked with him on the 2009 film The Greatest.
“I think the man has the chops and the talent and the charisma to play Bond, very much so,” Brosnan said on RTÉ Radio 1’s The Ray D’Arcy Show last March.
Brosnan even offered advice to his potential successor: “Be bold. Go out there. Have a great time. Just love it. Just go for it. You can do it.”
The former 007 reiterated his support on The Jonathan Ross Show, saying: “I think he would make a very fine Bond. He just had this charisma; he had this presence.”
However, Taylor-Johnson’s chances were given a blow earlier this month when a different Hollywood star emerged as the frontrunner with bookmakers to succeed Craig.
Theo James of The Gentleman fame overtook Taylor-Johnson in the markets with a number of bookmakers. However, no decision has yet been made.
The franchise has been in a state of flux since the release of No Time to Die in 2021, with Amazon MGM Studios securing creative control after acquiring the rights from Eon Productions.
While there has been little movement on the 26th film in the series, Amy Pascal and David Heyman were recently confirmed as producers.
In a joint statement, they said: “James Bond is one of the most iconic characters in the history of cinema.
“We are humbled to follow in the footsteps of Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson who made so many extraordinary films and honoured and excited to keep the spirit of Bond very much alive as he embarks on his next adventure.”