James Bond Hopeful Aaron Taylor-Johnson, 35, Gives Cryptic Answer About Next Project

Aaron Taylor-Johnson might not be saying much about his next role, but he’s definitely saying something — and it’s just enough to send the James Bond rumor mill into overdrive again. At the premiere of 28 Years Later, the 35-year-old actor was asked a simple question by Deadline about what he had coming up next. Taylor-Johnson responded with a smirk and a cryptic: “I can’t talk about it.” He didn’t elaborate, didn’t tease anything more — but his expression said plenty. For Bond fans, that knowing grin may as well have been a Martini-shaken wink.

Taylor-Johnson has been one of the bookmakers’ top choices to take over as James Bond ever since No Time to Die closed the chapter on Daniel Craig’s tenure in 2021. In fact, at one point it was even reported that longtime Bond producer Barbara Broccoli was seriously considering him for the role. Though Taylor-Johnson played coy back then too — telling Esquire it wasn’t “for [him] to say anything” — his name hasn’t left the conversation.

The future of the Bond franchise has been murky since Amazon acquired MGM in 2022. Initially, the company only secured distribution rights — leaving creative control firmly in the hands of Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. But that changed earlier this year, when Amazon reportedly spent $1 billion to gain full creative control. With James Bond 26 finally moving forward, casting news could drop any moment. But something else set the rumor mill into overdrive…

Will Aaron Taylor-Johnson Be James Bond?

The comments come on the heels of a very timely announcement. A few weeks ago, Taylor-Johnson was unveiled as one of Omega’s newest global ambassadors, celebrating the deal at the company’s headquarters in Biel, Switzerland, where he toured their watchmaking facilities and museum. If the name Omega sounds familiar, it should — it’s been James Bond’s go-to watch brand for the past 30 years, ever since GoldenEye in 1995. Every Bond since Pierce Brosnan has worn Omega onscreen, with Daniel Craig sporting one in all five of his outings as 007.

“I have always had an appreciation for timepieces, but especially for Omega,” Taylor-Johnson said following the announcement. “Now, after visiting the factory, I am in awe of the skill required to manufacture such a luxurious product.”

Omega CEO Raynald Aeschlimann praised the actor as a “versatile” talent whose work spans “action, thriller, romance and much more.” Sounds like someone you’d trust with a license to kill.

Production is expected to begin in the next year or so, with a 2026 or 2027 release date likely, so stay tuned to Collider for more on James Bond. Taylor-Johnson’s latest film, 28 Years Later, arrives in theaters on June 20.