Aaron Taylor-Johnson is the frontrunner and 'one to beat' to become the next James Bond.
Ever since Daniel Craig made his Bond swansong in 2021's "No Time To Die" after the 007 role after five movies, rumors have been swirling over which debonair star will replace the icon.
Now, an insider has revealed the British actor, 33, is extremely close to landing the role, with Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan, 53, looking likely to helm the next entry in the franchise.
The insider said: "Aaron Taylor-Johnson is currently the hot favorite to step into the iconic role, he’s the first choice for Barbara Broccoli – he is the one to beat."
They added of Nolan: "He is extremely interested in doing something very different with the franchise. If he can get his way with producers, then he is all for it."
It was previously reported that Nolan wanted to direct the next Bond movie as a period piece set in the same as the original source material – something that director Quentin Tarantino had previously wanted to do with Casino Royale, but was turned down.
However, the insider adds: "Whether Nolan coming on board will affect the casting of Aaron Taylor-Johnson is currently a grey area – as he’s very particular with who he works with,".
Nolan is known for consistently using similar casts in his movies, working with another rumored Bond, Tom Hardy, on three movies, "Inception", "Dunkirk" and "The Dark Knight Rises".
Nolan worked with Taylor-Johnson on the 2020 movie "Tenet", in which the actor played the minor character Ives.
The Marvel star has previously spoken about how he 'wanted to be in Nolan's presence' as he lobbied for a role in Tenet.
Speaking to THR in 2020, he said: "When there’s an opportunity to work with someone like Chris Nolan, you just hope to get your foot in the door. He’s always going to have his go-to actors, so you never know if something is going to come around or not,".
"John David Washington, Robert Pattinson and Elizabeth Debicki were already on board, weeks away from shooting, and I was just waiting in the wings and putting my hand up, going, “I would really love to get in a room with Chris Nolan.” And it was quite a process if I’m being honest,".
"I went through a couple of different castings before I could even get in the room to do another audition for him. So it wasn’t a done deal, but the best things are worth fighting for and putting yourself out on a limb. So it didn’t come about that easy, but luckily, he gave me the part. And it didn’t matter to me how big or small the role was. I just wanted to be in his presence on his next movie."
In March Taylor-Johnson was said to have completed a screen test at Pinewood Studios with Bond boss Broccoli and impressed her.
Other fans have been rooting for Henry Cavill, 40, to star as Bond - as he was previously considered and hope for a better outcome this time.
Barbara has clarified that she wanted the next actor to portray the character for 15 years.
Aaron rose to fame after starring in Nowhere Boy, a 2009 John Lennon biopic. The star is married to the director of the film, Sam Taylor-Johnson, 56, and shares Romy Hero, 11, and Wylda Rae, 13, with her.
Sam also has two older daughters - Angelica, 26, and Jessie, 17.
The couple tied the knot back in 2012 and welcomed their first child Wylda in 2010. They had Romy two years later, while Sam has her two elder daughters from her 11-year marriage to art dealer Jay Jopling, which ended in 2008.
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