Home Entertainment The problematic career move that could thwart Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s chance at James Bond

The problematic career move that could thwart Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s chance at James Bond

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Hollywood bigwigs are wondering if Aaron Taylor-Johnson has the 'credentials' to play James Bond after being shocked by the dismal response to his new action blockbuster.

Hollywood bigwigs are questioning whether Aaron Taylor-Johnson has the “credentials” to play James Bond after they were shocked by the dismal response to his new action blockbuster.

The actor, 34, who has long had his name on the list to replace Daniel Craig as the titular British spy, failed to capture audiences as the lead in Kraven the Hunter, a superhero spin-off about the enemy. from Spider-Man.

The film, which opened to a dazzling opening, has had a disastrous run since its December 13 release, grossing a measly £49 million ($60 million) worldwide, according to the latest figures, despite costing around £87 million.

It earned £9 million ($11 million) in the US in its opening weekend, despite screening in over 3,200 cinemas, and only managed to earn £12 million ($15 million) internationally in 60 markets. .

The abysmal figures helped the JC Chandor-directed flop take the title of worst debut for Sony’s Marvel Characters Universe, just 10 months after Madame Webb, starring Dakota Johnson, which only grossed £80m.

The box office figures have left many Hollywood bosses feeling “nervous” about whether Taylor-Johnson has the “mainstream appeal” to take the lead on a franchise like Bond.

Hollywood bigwigs are wondering if Aaron Taylor-Johnson has the ‘credentials’ to play James Bond after being shocked by the dismal response to his new action blockbuster.

The 34-year-old actor, who has long had his name on the list to replace Daniel Craig as the British spy, has failed to capture audiences as the lead in the Spider-Man spin-off, Kraven the Hunter (in the photo).

The 34-year-old actor, who has long had his name on the list to replace Daniel Craig as the British spy, has failed to capture audiences as the lead in the Spider-Man spin-off, Kraven the Hunter (in the photo).

“Kraven has been a real disaster for Sony and a really difficult opportunity for Aaron,” a producer who has worked with Bond actresses told DailyMail.com.

“It’s not that he was bad in the movie or that he had no screen presence, but the script just didn’t appeal to fans.

“The bigger question is how this affects how the producers in town, and especially the Bond executives, view him.”

And they continued: ‘It was his great leading role. With well-known celebrities there is a feeling that not every movie is a win, but when it comes to someone of Aaron’s stature, questions arise.

“People will wonder if Aaron has that mainstream appeal or if this was just a blip.

“And if those questions are being raised by Hollywood studios, the same concerns will no doubt arise at MGM Amazon, which is overseeing the new Bond film with Eon.”

But with the physical demands of his latest role, the source insisted the game is not over for the actor when it comes to Bond.

“There are advantages to Aaron,” they continued.

Craig, 56, made five appearances as Bond, with the 2021 hit No Time to Die marking his swan song (pictured in Spectre).

Craig, 56, made five appearances as Bond, with the 2021 hit No Time to Die marking his swan song (pictured in Specter).

A source told Daily Mail.com:

A source told Daily Mail.com: “People will ask if Aaron has that mainstream appeal or if this was just a blip” (pictured with wife Sam Taylor-Johnson in 2022)

“Aaron showed with Kraven that he could adopt Bond’s physique and lead a promotional media campaign. All of these factors are important when it comes to becoming Bond.

“However, the casting decision is not 100 percent finalized and there are still actors being considered to take on the most iconic role in British cinema.”

Pierce Brosnan previously supported the BAFTA-nominated star, whose breakout role was playing John Lennon in the 2008 film Nowhere Boy, which was directed by his now-wife Sam Taylor-Johnson.

Brosnan, 71, who played the intelligence agent in GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough and Die Another Day, said he believes his former co-star has the “guts” to take over.

“I would definitely take my hat off to this guy,” he said last year. “I think the man has the skills, talent and charisma to play Bond, very much so.”

George Lazenby, 85, who enjoyed a stint as 007 in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, also backed Taylor-Johnson, as well as former Bond villain Jonathan Pryce.

The actor, 77, who starred alongside Brosnan in Tomorrow Never Dies, previously told Good Morning Britain: “He’s become a wonderful actor and when he was a bit younger, he made this extraordinary kind of action movie in the who played a superhero.

“And he’s great, look at him now, he’s formal, handsome and yes, he would make a great Bond.”

But they added:

But they added: ‘Aaron showed with Kraven that he could adopt Bond’s physique and lead a promotional media campaign. All of these factors matter when it comes to becoming Bond.’

Bond bosses are preparing a script for the 26th film and have secretly auditioned a number of faces for the roles.

Taylor-Johnson was said to have completed a screen test at Pinewood Studios with Bond boss Barbara Broccoli in March 2022.

They won’t just choose one man, but will “look at a number of candidates and decide who is best for the job,” a source said, adding: “This is the biggest role in British cinema up for grabs.”

Johnson, who has offered cryptic answers to interviewers desperate for clues about Bond, was long the favorite to replace Craig, but was recently overtaken by The Crown’s Josh O’Connor.

It came after the Hollywood Reporter predicted that the star, who played Prince Charles in the Netflix royal version, would be announced by Barbara Broccoli this year, describing him as an “English actor on the cusp of stardom, familiar to audiences but not familiar, with a seductive smile, ease with a witty phrase and charisma to spare.

Other names allegedly in the mix include Callum Turner, James Norton and Paul Mescal.

Craig had five appearances as Bond and the 2021 hit No Time to Die marked his swan song.

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