You’ll Recognise the Supposed Next James Bond From Your Teenage Fantasies

So, the next James Bond has reportedly been chosen. Sources have told The Sun Marvel actor and “Bullet Train” star, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, is set to be Daniel Craig‘s successor. Eon Productions, who make the classic spy thriller are reportedly set to start filming soon and sources claim that the job is Taylor-Johnson’s, should he wish to take it. “Bond is Aaron’s job, should he wish to accept it,” sources told The Sun. “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.”

While for many, James Bond might be the peak when it comes to swoon-worthy roles, for many of us Taylor-Johnson already has a special place in our hearts. Your teenage heart and dreams specifically. Because any Brit who grew up in the noughties will forver mainly know Taylor-Johnson as Robbie Jennings in “Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging”, where he stole the hearts of thousands. Despite the 33-year-old’s impressive list of acting roles, including starring in “Kick-Ass” and Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron”, for us, it was his 2008 character that earned him heart-throb status.

“Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging”, which also starred Georgia Groome (who now has a child with Harry Potter star Rupert Grint), Eleanor Tomlinson from “Poldark”, and British comedian Alan Davies, was a real coming-of-age film. As such, Taylor-Johnson’s face was plastered on bedroom walls and inside school lockers up and down the nation as he played the main love interest. There was a lot of fanfare around the film, and its devotees were disappointed that a sequel was never released, especially considering it was based on Louise Rennison’s series of young-adult novels.

Nonetheless, the precious film became a sleepover staple. In unison, we drooled over Taylor-Johnson, his London accent, his bass-playing abilities, and his sweepy fringe. We laughed, cried, and rejoiced when Robbie chose relatable and hilarious Georgia over popular but nasty Lindsay. “Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging” is iconic and perfectly captured the zeitgeist of the mid-2000s.

Taylor-Johnson mastered the teenage rom-com in this role, then he went on to win a Golden Globe Award for his supporting role in “Nocturnal Animals” in 2017. He also starred in “Anna Karenina”, “Godzilla”, “A Million Little Pieces”, and “The King’s Man”. The Buckinghamshire-born star has achieved a lot since his teenage rom-com days. He married director Sam Taylor-Johnson, whom he met on the set of “Nowhere Boy” when he was 18, in 2012. The couple now have two daughters and two stepdaughters from Taylor-Johnson’s previous marriage.

Desperate to catch a glimpse of a grown-up Robbie? Well, Taylor-Johnson has yet to officially accept the role as 007, but it’s reported that filming for the next instalment of the spy thriller is set to start later this year, so we could be seeing him on our screens very soon. And next up, he’ll be seen alongside Ryan Gosling in Fall Guy.

Until then, thank you for being such a huge part of our teenage years Aaron. We can’t wait to see what you do next. Even if it’s likely not, sadly, going to be a Angus follow-up.

– Additional reporting by Lauren Gordon

Lauren Gordon is the editorial coordinator at POPSUGAR UK, where she creates lifestyle and identity content. Lauren has a degree in journalism from University of the Arts London and previously worked as a showbiz and TV reporter at The Mirror US. Lauren specialises in pop culture, hair and beauty, focusing on trends, sharing in-depth tutorials, and highlighting hidden gems in the beauty industry.