Aaron Taylor-Johnson has reportedly been offered the coveted role of James Bond

Could it be? Could we finally have our next James Bond?! According to The Sun, Aaron Taylor-Johnson has gotten a "formal offer" to take over for Daniel Craig, who took his final bow as Bond in 2021 with the movie No Time To Die. Taylor-Johnson is best known for playing Pietro Maximoff in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and playing the title character in Kick-Ass, as well as starring in dramas like Anna Karenina.

However, prior to Craig's exit, the rumor mill had been swirling about who would take on the coveted role. Potential contenders included Bridgerton's Rege Jean-Page, Outlander's Sam Heughan, Tom Hardy, Idris Elba and more. For a while, fans even wanted Lashana Lynch to take over after she played a secret agent named Nomi in No Time To Die. But it looks like the decision may have been made, and MGM's sights are set on British actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson.

Here's everything we know about Taylor-Johnson's rumored casting, along with when production is set to start on the next Bond movie.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson is...the next James Bond?

According to what a source told The Sun, Taylor-Johnson has received a "formal offer" and is likely to accept it (because why wouldn't he?!). If all goes well, production on the next James Bond is set to start this year, so it will be quite a quick turnaround between the official casting of the lead role and the start of filming. No Time To Waste, if you will.

After years of speculation, guessing, and theorizing, if Taylor-Johnson is indeed the next Bond, he will take over for Daniel Craig, who was in the coveted role for nearly 15 years.

The source revealed, "Bond is Aaron's job, should he wish to accept it. The formal offer is on the table, and they are waiting to hear back. As far as Eon is concerned, Aaron is going to sign his contract in the coming days, and they can start preparing for the big announcement."

Eon Productions is the company behind the James Bond film series, and has been so since the 1960s. They're pretty much the guys in charge, so if they genuinely have offered Taylor-Johnson the role, then there must have been something in his audition that blew everyone else out of the water.

Rumors about Taylor-Johnson began circulating last year after he met with producers. The meeting went "very well" and he was placed in the running alongside the likes of Cillian Murphy and Henry Cavill. And now, it looks like he just might be the James Bond.

Taylor-Johnson's rumored casting is quite interesting. At 33 years old, he would be on the younger end of actors who have played the role, but not the youngest. George Lazenby was 29 years old when he starred as 007 in 1969's On Her Majesty's Secret Service, and the iconic Sean Connery who was 31 when he suited up and became Bond. Taylor-Johnson would be in great company!

As of now, these rumors and reports have not been confirmed, but if we are to believe all the news outlets, it feels like we are just waiting for official confirmation at this point. Stay tuned!

To stay up to date on everything fantasy, science fiction, and WiC, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and sign up for our exclusive newsletter.

Get HBO, Starz, Showtime and MORE for FREE with a no-risk, 7-day free trial of Amazon Channels

h/t IGN