Actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson has once again ignited speculation about his potential casting as the next James Bond after being spotted wearing the iconic secret agent's favoured timepiece at an Omega event in London on Thursday.
The 35-year-old actor is widely regarded as one of the leading contenders to succeed Daniel Craig as the suave British spy in upcoming 007 films. In May of last year, Taylor-Johnson appeared to drop a significant hint about his future involvement with the franchise when he signed a lucrative partnership with Omega, the official watch provider for the Bond films. The Swiss luxury brand has been synonymous with James Bond for three decades, adorning the wrists of actors who have portrayed the legendary character.
Pierce Brosnan, now 72, was the first actor to wear an Omega watch as Bond in the 1995 film GoldenEye. The collaboration has continued ever since, with Daniel Craig sporting the brand's Seamaster model in his final outing, No Time To Die.
Upon signing the deal with Omega, Taylor-Johnson expressed his admiration for the brand, stating: "I have always had an appreciation for timepieces but especially for Omega. Now, after visiting the factory, I am in awe of the skill required to manufacture such a luxurious product."
Omega's CEO praised the actor, describing him as a "versatile actor with a range that covers action, thriller, romance and much more."
At Thursday's event, the Kick-Ass star turned heads in an eye-catching purple blazer, paired with a matching shirt and trousers.
Daniel Craig relinquished his "license to kill" with the 2021 film No Time To Die, which also marked the end of an era for longtime Bond producer Barbara Broccoli, who stepped back after 30 years following Amazon's acquisition of creative control over the franchise. Amazon reportedly spent $1 billion to secure the deal, and the company is now fast-tracking the next Bond movie, with Hollywood producers David Heyman and Amy Pascal brought on board to usher in a new era for 007.
The new producers are expected to put their own stamp on the franchise, with Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey also rumoured to be in the running for the coveted role.
Last year, Taylor-Johnson further fuelled speculation when he responded cryptically to a question about his upcoming projects. At the world premiere of 28 Years Later in London, a Deadline reporter asked the actor: "What are you doing next?" He replied, "I can't talk about it," before being pulled away by his entourage. Many interpreted the curt response as a veiled reference to his potential involvement in the 007 franchise, based on the novels by Ian Fleming.
