GoldenEye star Pierce Brosnan gives Aaron Taylor-Johnson his seal of approval as the next James Bond: 'The man has the chops and the talent and the charisma'

Pierce Brosnan has given his approval to the idea of Aaron Taylor-Johnson becoming the next person to succeed him as James Bond.

Reports have been swirling that Taylor-Johnson, 33, has been formerly offered the role of the ultra-suave British spy created by novelist Ian Fleming.

Brosnan, 70, rocketed to global superstardom playing Bond in four films, from GoldenEye in 1995 until Die Another Day in 2002.

Now, as feverish speculation builds around the prospect of Taylor-Johnson bagging the role, Brosnan has graciously offered his support.

The showbiz icon, who worked with Taylor-Johnson in the 2009 movie The Greatest, told RTÉ Radio 1 he 'would definitely tip my hat to the fellow' for the role of 007.

Pierce Brosnan (pictured left as James Bond in GoldenEye) has given his approval to the idea of Aaron Taylor-Johnson (pictured right in 2019) becoming the next 007

Brosnan, 70, rocketed to global superstardom playing Bond in four films, from GoldenEye in 1995 until Die Another Day in 2002; pictured in GoldenEye with Izabella Scorupco

'I think the man has the chops and the talent and the charisma to play Bond, very much so,' added Brosnan on The Ray D'Arcy Show.

Brosnan was a producer on The Greatest, which starred him and Susan Sarandon as a married couple grieving the death of their teenage son, played by Taylor-Johnson.

Looking back on the film, Brosnan recalled Taylor-Johnson 'was the greatest in it. It’s a lovely movie with Aaron and Carey Mulligan, Susan Sarandon and myself.' 

Brosnan's tip to Taylor-Johnson for assuming the iconic role is: 'Be bold. Go out there. Have a great time. Just love it. Just go for it. You can do it.'

After a successful run on the TV show Remington Steele, Brosnan became a global household name because of his tenure as James Bond.

He first took on the role in the 1995 picture GoldenEye, followed by Tomorrow Never Dies in 1997, The World Is Not Enough in 1999 and finally Die Another Day in 2002.

Four years later, Daniel Craig made his unforgettable debut as 007 in Casino Royale, kicking off his own thunderous run across five movies.

Now that Craig has withdrawn from the role, the hunt has been on for a suitable heartthrob to replace him - and now Taylor-Johnson appears to be the frontrunner.

Brosnan worked with Taylor-Johnson in the 2009 movie The Greatest; Taylor-Johnson is pictured in the movie opposite Carey Mulligan

He first took on the role in the 1995 picture GoldenEye, followed by Tomorrow Never Dies in 1997, The World Is Not Enough in 1999 and finally Die Another Day in 2002 (pictured)

George Lazenby, pictured as Bond in the 1969 movie On Her Majesty's Secret Service, has also given his imprimatur to Taylor-Johnson's potential casting 

George Lazenby, who played Bond in the 1969 movie On Her Majesty's Secret Service, has also given his imprimatur to Taylor-Johnson's potential casting.

Lazenby told TMZ he felt Taylor-Johnson would be able to convey Bond's hard edge, as well as being appealing to women and adept at the requisite stunt work.

The remarks come after it emerged Taylor-Johnson could be signing up for four Bond films after 'endless discussions' with execs - who sources claim are hoping he can replace Daniel Craig to lead the franchise into a new age with a 'fantasy' twist.

Taylor-Johnson has reportedly been formally offered the chance to play 007, with sources claiming bosses have already taken extraordinary lengths to secure him.

Producer Barbara Broccoli, 63, is not considering anyone else, according to insiders, who have claimed costume fittings for Aaron are already underway.

'It is all in the details and agents and lawyers are going through all the red tape and how many movies Aaron will sign up for.

Taylor-Johnson is on the verge of signing a deal to become the next James Bond - and has been offered a four movie deal, insiders claim 

The 33-year-old actor is reportedly set to take over the role of 007 from Daniel Craig (pictured), who bowed out from the franchise after 2021's No Time To Die

'It is currently looking to be a three-picture deal with the option of a fourth.

'They have done all the fittings, they have the haircut they have in mind for him, and he's already in tremendous shape.

'Barbara Broccoli and the rest of the producers are going to make a huge deal out of the announcement.'

According to the insider, an event will be held where the remaining living Bonds – including George Lazenby, 84, Timothy Dalton, 78, Pierce Brosnan, 70, and Daniel, 56 – will be asked to attend to pass on the torch.

'They all want this to be one of the biggest announcements ever and are looking to start filming sometime next year to get a movie out in theaters by 2026,' they said.

On top of going all out for the hotly anticipated official cast announcement, Bond execs are also hoping to take the beloved franchise into a new genre.

The insider added: 'They would like it to be a little more of a fantasy, with interesting and iconic bad guys and over the top action and not as real as Daniel Craig's films were.

'They are looking to steer it more towards the Pierce Brosnan films in terms of tone and referencing Bond's past that people loved, but still incorporating moments to move the films forward.

Bond producers are reportedly hoping Aaron will lead the beloved spy franchise into a new-age as they consider a fantasy twist 

Aaron started acting as a child and has seen his career go from strength to strength, with three huge film appearances upcoming this year (pictured in The Fall Guy)

'There is a set plan, and Aaron has had endless discussions. They don't want anybody else.'

DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for Aaron for comment.  

Earlier this week, it was reported that the Kick Ass actor is on the verge of inking a deal to take over from Daniel as the titular spy after he retired from the role following his swansong in 2021 blockbuster No Time To Die.

Aaron was coy when questioned previously about the rumors, telling Numero magazine earlier this month: 'I find it charming and wonderful that people see me in that role. I take it as a great compliment.' 

A recent poll suggested Idris Elba is still the public's number one choice to replace Daniel, 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. 

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

Last summer, Idris admitted that he used to be 'super complimented' by the idea of playing Bond, saying it was the 'pinnacle.'

But he told Variety that he was turned off, when 'those that weren't happy about the idea made the whole thing disgusting and off-putting, because it became about race. It became about nonsense and I got the brunt of it.'

Meanwhile, Michael Fassbender has 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.'

A recent poll found Idris Elba is still the public's number one choice for the role, despite already ruling himself out of the running

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

Although Aaron is yet to officially accept the role, once he's signed the contract he will become the seventh actor to play the iconic British secret service agent since the franchise launched in 1962.

The Golden Globe winning actor made his debut in The Apocalypse as a child alongside Richard Harris. He has three huge films upcoming, including The Fall Guy in which he stars alongside Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt as a famous action star who goes missing.

He will also be appearing in the hotly anticipated remake of 1922 gothic horror Nosferatu, directed by Robert Eggers and featuring a star-studded cast, including Bill Skarsgård, Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp and Willem Dafoe.

But Aaron's biggest upcoming role will see him rejoin the superhero universe, as he takes on the titular role in Kraven the Hunter, the fifth film in Sony's Spider-Man Universe.

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

Last March Aaron was said to have completed a screen test at Pinewood Studios with Bond boss Barbara.

Aaron is married to director Sam Taylor-Johnson who is 24 years his senior (pictured in 2024)

Aaron pictured with his then-pregnant wife and her daughters Angelica and Jessie in 2011

The Mail on Sunday previously reported that Barbara has made it clear she wants 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. 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.

All the previous actors to star as James Bond  

James Bond has been thrilling cinema-goers worldwide with his adrenaline-fuelled secret missions to exotic places for more than 60 years. 

The British spy, codenamed 007, has found himself fighting villains and terrorists on the moon, under water and at the top of a skyscraper.

And since his big screen debut in 1962, only six actors have played Bond (seven, if you include the portrayal of 007 by Peter Sellers in 1967's comedy spoof 'Casino Royal').

The hunt is now on to find the latest Bond, with front-runners including Tom Hardy, Henry Cavill and Cillian Murphy. Now, we look back at all the previous actors to star as 007.

Sean Connery: 1962-1971 

Sean Connery was the first Bond to hit the big screen in a dashing debut as 007

The first star to hit the screen as Bond was the devastatingly charming Sean Connery, starring in 1962's Dr. No. 

The acclaimed Scotsman went on to feature in five more Bond flicks, before retiring as 007 in 1971's Diamonds are Forever.

George Lazenby: 1969 

He may only have had one outing as James Bond, was met with a mixed reception

However, George Lazenby made his only appearance as the British spy in 1969's 007 On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

He's version of Bond, however, was met with a mixed reception. Some lauded him for a more serious portray of the spy. But others felt he was uncharismatic, and lacked the suave and charm of Connery.

Roger Moore: 1977-1985 

Roger Moore was one of the longest-serving Bonds, featuring in seven films 

Roger Moore became the next Bond, featuring in seven films from 1977's Live and Let Die, to his final outing in 1985's A View to a Kill. 

Moore's turn as 007 brought without some outlandish and ludicrous plot lines, which featured him battling on the moon in Moonraker.

Timothy Dalton: 1985-1989 

Timothy Dalton was next to take on the mantle, debuting as Bond in 1987's The Living Daylights.

Timothy Dalton was next to take on the mantle, debuting as Bond in 1987's The Living Daylights.

Dalton's portrayal brought a gritter and more serious Bond to the screen, with a darker sense of humour.

He featured in one more Bond film, A Licence to Kill, in 1989 before being replaced.

Pierce Brosnan: 1995-2002 

Pierce Brosnan was the next bond, debuting in 1995's Goldeneye

It took six years for Dalton's replacement, Pierce Brosnan, to get his outing in the 1995 smash-hit Golden Eye. 

Brosnan went on to do three more Bond films during his seven-year stint as 007, which wound with Die Another Die in 2002. 

Daniel Craig: 2006-2021 

Daniel Craig's take on Bond saw a beefed up version of the British spy taking to the screens (pictured in-character in 2020)

Daniel Craig stepped Bond's in 2006 with a cinematic reset of the titular spy, replacing the gadgetry of previous installments with a grittier and more muscular reinvention of 007.

His opening portrayal of a more haunted Bond in his debut film, Casino Royal, was critically celebrated - hailed as one of the best Bonds in years. 

Craig would feature in four more films before finally downing his last Martini - shaken, not stirred - in 2021's No Time To Die, becoming the first Bond to be killed on screen.