Marvel star Aaron Taylor-Johnson a “frontrunner” to play James Bond

Daniel Craig has finally retired as James Bond after five films over the course of 15 years. Now the hunt is on to find the next person to play the British super-spy, although Bond boss Barbara Broccoli is in no rush. She and the rest of the producers are looking for someone talented, in their 30s, and established but not too famous. There are surely plenty of gents in that category.

And frontrunners may be emerging. Back in November, The Sun reported that English actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson was a “frontrunner” for the role. He does fit the bill: he’s 32, from Great Britain, and he’s a name people know but not so well that he’s ubiquitous. Taylor-Johnson is probably best known for fronting the Kick-Ass series of superhero movies as well as playing Pietro Maximoff in a couple of Marvel movies.

Now, Matthew Belloni of Puck News writes that Taylor-Johnson sat down with Broccoli “and the meeting went well.” This is months after The Sun reported that he had a “secret audition.” Are we looking at our new 007?

Emily in Paris star Lucien Laviscount in the running to become the next James Bond

Maybe, although there is competition. Just the other day, The Mail On Sunday reported that Lucien Laviscount is also in the running. Laviscount is an English actor and not, as his name might imply, some kind of French supervillain aristocrat. Again, he’s in his 30s, talented, and known but not too known, checking all the boxes.

“He is a super talented actor, is extremely handsome and in the past 18 months has won lots of new fans since he joined Emily In Paris,” a source said. “Bond bosses are already saying how you can see him in the 007 tuxedo, how dapper and fitting to the role he will look.”

One potential knock against Laciscount could be that he appeared on the reality show Big Brother back in 2011, but reportedly Broccoli and co are willing to overlook that. “Lucien appeared on the show at a time when his acting career was not as high-profile as it is now, but he was very popular then and has a fan base now which stretches generations,” the source said. “That is a dream for Barbara who is very taken with him.”

So while we don’t have a final name to give you today, it seems that the race to find the next Bond is well and truly on.

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h/t The A.V. Club