Aaron Taylor-Johnson James Bond Casting Never Had ‘Any Real Movement’

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Aaron Taylor-Johnson James Bond Casting Never Had ‘Any Real Movement’

Rumors of who will be the next James Bond have been swirling for years, but according to a recent report in the latest rendition of the Puck newsletter, one name who always popped up was never really in consideration.

According to the latest report from Matthew Belloni, Aaron Taylor-Johnson — who was a favorite to play the character according to many early rumors — never had “any real movement” when it came to him portraying the next character. In fact, the report mentions, there was no real movement on any potential Bond suitor whatsoever.

A source close to Barbara Broccoli — who recently stepped back from the James Bond franchise alongside longtime producing partner Michael G. Wilson — told Puck that Broccoli had been “genuinely stumped” about how to replace Daniel Craig, and that there was no plans for a successor prior to Amazon taking over creative control of the franchise.

What’s next for the James Bond franchise?

The news comes after the shocking announcement that Broccoli and Wilson would be stepping back from their long-time status as producers on the franchise, allowing Amazon MGM Studios to take creative control of the franchise. The agreement sees Amazon MGM Studios and the duo forming a new joint venture house to house the intellectual property rights for the Bond franchise.

The three parties will remain co-owners of the Bond series, but now Amazon MGM Studios will have creative control, something that Broccoli and Wilson had retained before. Prior to the announcement, both Wilson and Broccoli had been known as fiercely protective over the franchise, but in a statement on the move, Wilson noted that he was stepping back to focus more on art and charitable projects, while Broccoli said she would be focusing on other projects now.

“With my 007 career spanning nearly 60 incredible years, I am stepping back from producing the James Bond films to focus on art and charitable projects,” Wilson said in his statement. “Therefore, Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future.”

“My life has been dedicated to maintaining and building upon the extraordinary legacy that was handed to Michael and me by our father, producer Cubby Broccoli,” added Broccoli. “I have had the honor of working closely with four of the tremendously talented actors who have played 007 and thousands of wonderful artists within the industry. With the conclusion of ‘No Time to Die’ and Michael retiring from the films, I feel it is time to focus on my other projects.”