James Bond George Lazenby reacts to Aaron Taylor-Johnson rumors

Films

By Jack Hobbs

From one 007 to the next.

Former James Bond actor George Lazenby supports Aaron Taylor-Johnson. The British actor is rumored to be replacing Daniel Craig, who played the spy for 15 years.

Lazenby, reportedly 84 years old he told TMZ that Taylor-Johnson, 33, “can handle stunts and all the women who love a man in a tuxedo.”

Australian actor Lazenby, who played the famous spy in the 1969 film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service,” revealed that while the “Avengers: Age of Ultron” star had not been formally offered the role, he would be happy to support him as long as he could “do justice to the character”.

Last week, Sun reported that Taylor-Johnson was offered the role of international secret agent and was expected to sign the contract very soon.

“Bond is Aaron’s job, in case he wants to take it,” a source told the outlet. “The formal offer is on the table and they are waiting to receive a response.”

According to Eon Productions, the British company associated with all the Bond films, they hope to begin shooting the film later this year.

“As for Eon, Aaron will sign his contract in the next few days and they can start preparing for the big announcement,” the source added.

In 2022 it was reported that the “Tenet” star had undergone a screen test for the Bond franchise.

“I find it charming and wonderful that people see me in that role. I take that as a huge compliment,” Taylor-Johnson told reporters last week.

A source noted that Taylor-Johnson “may not be the best known in his field, but he is an incredibly talented actor” and “his role in ‘Nocturnal Animals’ showed his depth as an actor.”

“He is the perfect person to play Bond and will continue well from where Daniel left off,” the source added.

Taylor-Johnson is best known for “Kick-Ass,” “Anna Karenina,” “Bullet Train” and “Godzilla.”

He will next appear with Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt in “The Fall Guy.”

Others rumored to be in the Bond race include Idris Elba, Tom Hardy and Henry Cavill.

The Post has contacted Taylor-Johnson for comment.

If the “Bullet Train” star decided to accept his mission, he would join quite a group. illustrious group of actors who have played the elegant MI6 agent.

The franchise, created by the late British author Ian Fleming, met its first 007 in 1962, when Sean Connery donned the tuxedo in “Dr. No” and continued playing the agent until 1967’s “You Only Live Twice.”

Connery, who died in 2020 at 90, he later handed the reins to Lazenby for his only Bond film, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.”

The “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” star later returned for one last hurray in 1971’s “Diamonds Are Forever” before handing the role to Roger Moore, who played Bond from 1973 to 1985.

Timothy Dalton, who saved the day in 1987’s “The Living Daylights” and 1989’s “Licence To Kill,” briefly took over the tuxedo after Moore.

Pierce Brosnan took on the role from 1995’s “GoldenEye” to 2002’s “Die Another Day.”

A few years later, Craig, 56, took over the rebooted franchise and starred in five films: “Casino Royale,” “Quantum of Solace,” “Skyfall,” “Spectre” and “No Time To Die.”