Aaron Taylor-Johnson hits back at Bond rumours as he slams 'pop culture studio films' and insists 'I don't want my brand to be one action movie after another'

Aaron Taylor-Johnson has delved into his career ambitions, and he doesn't aspire to be the next James Bond.

Amid rumours the British actor, 33, has all but signed a deal to follow in Daniel Craig's footsteps as 007, he has spoken out in a new interview with Rolling Stone UK, insisting he won't be a part of the 'pop culture studio film' machine.

In a cover shoot to promote his latest role in Sony's next Marvel film Kraven the Hunter, Aaron muses on the direction his stellar career is heading after two decades on the big screen.

Asked directly about the reports that he is in talks to be Bond, the actor coyly replies that he 'can only really talk about the things I'm going to show and tell,' before tellingly adding: 

'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**kin' do better.' 

Aaron Taylor-Johnson has delved into his career ambitions, and he doesn't aspire to be the next James Bond

Amid rumours the British actor, 33, has all but signed a deal to follow in Daniel Craig 's footsteps as 007, he has spoken out in a new interview with Rolling Stone UK

While he hasn't been cast as Bond, Aaron has taken on the lead in another big budget action franchise. 

But the actor insists he can find the nuances in any character, even in Kraven - a big-game hunter whose singular goal in life is to beat Spider-Man.

'I think there was something unique about this character, and something grounded,' he insists, adding: 'We've all had enough of seeing certain studio films, a certain kind of pop culture… where they're churning out stuff that dilutes wanting to go to the cinema'.

'I wouldn't have signed onto it if I felt there wasn't something to really bring to life with this character.' 

The star adds that the extreme physical transformation he undertook to play the Marvel villain made him ponder if he wanted to put himself through it for film after film, explaining: 'I wanted to approach it like an actor, and I'm not someone who's just juicing up and going to the gym.'

'I don't necessarily want this to be my brand, doing one action movie after another. But I trained to the point where I was 200 pounds of muscle. I ate so much f**king food. I was so big.'

Away from his movie roles, which also including upcoming Ryan Gosling movie The Fall Guy and Robert Eggers' eagerly anticipated reimagining of Nosferatu, Aaron is happiest at home with wife Sam, 57 and their two daughters Wylda Rae, 13, and Romy Hero 11. 

'People see and perceive this thing around my career, and that's OK. But I'm just trying to juggle my family and my work,' he explains.

In a cover shoot to promote his latest role in Sony's next Marvel film Kraven the Hunter, Aaron muses on the direction his stellar career is heading after two decades on the big screen

Asked directly about the reports that he is in talks to be Bond, the actor coyly replies that he 'can only really talk about the things I'm going to show and tell'

: '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**kin' do better,' he admits 

'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. But you also discover characters you're drawn to because of that, you're not just some 20-year-old anymore. You unlock some secret thing… I don't want a jobbing career.' 

'You realise it's your job to protect the purest, most innocent thing that's come into the world. And it's your duty to be their role model,' he gushes.

'You are going to be reflected in their choices later on in life, from who their partners are to how they carry themselves in the world.' 

Insiders have denied reports that Aaron  has been cast as the new James Bond.

The Sun reported on Monday that the British actor had been 'formally offered the opportunity to play James Bond', putting an end to months of speculation regarding Daniel Craig's successor. 

But just 24 hours later the BBC put an end to speculation, with a production insider revealing that there is 'no truth in the rumours'.

The initial report suggested that the deal was all but done with Aaron who was on the verge of officially accepting the role of a lifetime, which would have made him only the seventh actor to play the iconic British secret agent since the franchise launched in 1962.

A recent poll suggested Idris Elba was still the public's number one choice for the role, despite being 51 - old for a Bond candidate - and already ruling himself out of the running in order to focus on his crime drama, Luther. 

Responding to the rumours that he could step into Bond's shoes last week, Aaron played coy, telling Numero: 'I find it charming and wonderful that people see me in that role. I take it as a great compliment.'

The star adds that the extreme physical transformation he undertook to play the Marvel villain made him ponder if he wanted to put himself through it for film after film

He began acting as a child and has seen his career go from strength to strength, with three huge film appearance this year alone.

He also has been nominated for two BAFTAs and previously won Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Globes for Nocturnal Animals.

The Bullet Train star's name has been in the running for Bond for a while now, alongside fellow A-list contenders like Tom Hardy, Henry Cavill and recent Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy.

In October last year, the Mail exclusively revealed that Aaron was the 'one to beat' to take the iconic role, while Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan was looking likely to helm the next film 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 Christopher: '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 the Oscar-winning director wanted to direct the next Bond film 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 added: '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.'

Christopher is known for consistently using similar casts in his films, working with fellow rumoured Bond stars, Tom and Cillian, on multiple films, including Inception, Dunkirk and The Dark Knight Rises.

Christopher worked with Aaron on 2020 film Tenet, in which the actor played military commander Ives. 

There have been reports that Aaron had been 'formally offered the opportunity to play James Bond', putting an end to months of speculation regarding Daniel Craig 's successor (Daniel as Bond in 2006)

In March 2023, Aaron was said to have completed a screen test at Pinewood Studios with Bond boss Barbara and impressed her.

According to the Mail On Sunday, Barbara has made it clear she wanted the next actor to portray the character for 15 years.

Outside of acting, Aaron's personal life has generated much public interest, due to the large age gap between him and his wife.

He tied the knot with Sam Taylor-Johnson, 57, in June 2012, and they share daughters Wylda Rae, 13, and Romy Hero, 11.

Fifty Shades of Grey director Sam also has two older daughters - Angelica, 26, and Jessie, 17, with her ex-husband Jay Jopling.

Their relationship has caused controversy, as the couple met while filming Nowhere Boy in 2009, which Sam directed, when Aaron was 18 and she was 42, going on to welcome their first daughter Wylda the following year.

Sam previously spoke about falling for Aaron on the set, but insisted nothing happened until the movie wrapped.

She said: 'I managed to hold off really until almost the end of the film. We weren't even together then. Maybe feelings were there but un-acted upon.

'The thing is, we had quite a psychic link when working together. I knew from a flicker of an eyelash what kind of performance I was going to get. I felt that link almost from day one of meeting him.'

The news about Aaron's offer to play the world's most famous spy comes after fans cast their votes to who they wanted in the role.

A study of 2,000 Brits by Lottoland, saw Idris come out on top, with some unconventional choices thrown into the mix, like Emilia Clarke, James Norton, Emily Blunt and Helen Mirren. 

Bond is famed for turning those who play 007 into global superstars and the franchise isn't shy of casting left-field stars to take on the role. 

The late Sean Connery, one of the most recognisable Bonds, had only featured in a series of TV films when he accepted the role of the titular British spy in 1962's Dr. No, catapulting him to international fame.

But while Idris was the top choice, fans may end up disappointed after the actor has ruled himself out several times and has even allegedly put forward a list of proposed names to play 007 instead.

Outside of acting, Aaron's personal life has generated much public interest, due to the large age gap between him and his wife, Sam Taylor-Johnson, 57 (pictured in 2009)

Back in August 2022, it was reported he had walked away from 'years of talks' with movie bosses to take over the famous role.

And in February 2023, he insisted: 'You know, a lot of people talk about another character that begins with J and ends with B, but I'm not going to be that guy.'

Meanwhile, Michael Fassbender also ruled himself out, saying he thought a younger star should take on the role.

When asked by GQ magazine if he would be up for the part, the actor, 46, said: 'To be honest, no.'

Riding high off his Oscar success, Cillian, 47, has been another popular choice for fans, but also doesn't seem keen.

He told GQ: 'It's incredibly flattering to be in that conversation. I think it should be a woman [next].'

This week, another rumoured star, Theo James, called the prospect of taking on the huge role 'terrifying' and insisted there were 'better people for the job'.

He told the Guardian: 'Everyone's interested in [me playing Bond] because it's a big part of British cultural identity, but that probably wouldn't be me.

While Idris Elba was the top choice for fans, they may be disappointed as he has ruled himself out repeatedly and even put forward a list of proposed names to play 007 instead (pictured last month)

Meanwhile, Michael Fassbender also ruled himself out, saying he thought a younger star should take on the role (pictured in The Snowman in 2017)

Riding high off his Oscar success, Cillian, 47, has been another popular choice for fans, but also doesn't seem keen, preferring a woman take the job (pictured this month)

This week, another rumoured star, Theo James, called the prospect of taking on the huge role 'terrifying' and insisted there were 'better people for the job' (pictured this month)

One actor ready to take up the mantle is Henry Cavill, who already auditioned for Bond in his twenties, but missed out allegedly due to being too young.

Speaking about what he would do if given another chance, he said: 'If Barbara and Mike [co-producer Michael G Wilson] were interested in that, I would absolutely jump at the opportunity. 

'At this stage, it's all up in the air. We'll see what happens. But yes, I would love to play Bond, it would be very, very exciting.'

'But there might be an element of cultural translation here. If you're a Brit and you do something of any kind of renown, that people regard well, then people start saying the 'B' word. It's like a merit badge. You get a 'B' word merit badge.'

James Bond producer Barbara previously admitted it will take a long time to choose Craig's 007 replacement.

The filmmaker insisted it's not as easy as picking an actor to take on the iconic role of the suave spy.

Speaking to Variety, Barbara said: 'It's a big decision. It's not just casting a role. It's about a whole rethink about where we're going.'

The April/May issue of Rolling Stone UK is out now