Irish actor Paul Mescal, nominated for an Oscar in 2022, seems to be one of the candidates who stood out for the role of the famous spy in his youth (Portal)
The race to fill the void left by Daniel Craig as James Bond has intensified more and more over the last few months. After playing the iconic Agent 007 for 15 years, the 55-year-old actor announced he would be leaving the role in 2021 and never returning. The nominated candidates didn't take long to arrive. AND For this new version, those responsible for the film are looking for two protagonists: a youth version and an adult version.
According to The Sun, the Irish actor Paul Mescal turns out to be one of the candidates who seems to stand out playing the spy in his youth. Despite his young age, 27-year-old Mescal has already been nominated for an Oscar. His starring role in the film “Aftersun” in 2022 earned him the valuable candidacy that boosted his career.
Although Paul hasn't confirmed his participation, he isn't completely ruling it out either. This has been talked about for three years. The teen star, who found fame in the 2020 BBC romance series Normal People, told Digital Spy this year: “Would you play Bond? Yes? I don't know it. If they ever suggested it to me, we would talk about it.”
Aaron Taylor-Johnson poses at the premiere of the film Bullet Train in Los Angeles August 1, 2022 (Portal/David Swanson)
But who would star in the next one? adult James Bond? Ever since Daniel Craig “killed” Bond in No Time to Die, there have been constant rumors about the star who will replace the icon. In October, Aaron Taylor-Johnson had already been named as the favorite to become the next adult James Bond.
After gaining popularity among producers, the 33-year-old British actor was close to landing the lead role. As revealed by a privileged source Chronis currently the big favorite and the first choice of Barbara Broccoli, the producer of the franchise.
Furthermore, it is rumored that Christopher Nolan, the acclaimed director of the blockbuster Oppenheimer, could direct the next Bond film. The 53-year-old filmmaker “He is very interested in doing something completely different with the franchise. If he can get his way with the producers, then he’s all for it,” said the insider. This approach would mean setting the film in the same era as the source material, something Quentin Tarantino previously considered for Casino Royale but was rejected.
Christopher Nolan, director of the blockbuster “Oppenheimer,” could direct the next Bond film. The 53-year-old filmmaker is “very interested in doing something completely different with the franchise”
However, Nolan's possible involvement in the project has raised questions about whether this is the case will influence the casting decision, particularly the choice of Taylor-Johnson as the lead. This doubt arises because Nolan has always had a reputation for being loyal to certain actors with whom he has worked on several projects, such as Tom Hardy. “He is very demanding of the people he works with,” the source said.
It's worth mentioning that the “Bullet Train” actor isn't exactly a stranger to the British director. In the past, both worked on the film “Tenet” (2020)., in which the actor played the supporting character Ives. Taylor-Johnson welcomed the experience and expressed her desire to work under Nolan's direction in conversations with The Hollywood Reporter.
“When you get the opportunity to work with someone like Chris Nolan, you just hope to get your foot in the door. He will always have his reference actors so you never know if something is going to happen or not.“, he commented.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson's performance in “Bullet Train” alongside Brad Pitt was particularly outstanding and caught the attention of Barbara Broccoli, the lead producer of the Bond saga (Portal/Fabrizio Bensch)
Aaron Taylor Johnson He is known for his roles in Kick-Ass and as Wanda's brother in Avengers: Age of Ultron, but Her performance in “Bullet Train” alongside Brad Pitt was particularly outstanding and caught the attention of Barbara Broccolithe main producer of the Bond saga, which gave him one Pour at London's Pinewood Studios, the film's main location.