Oscar-nominated star named as ‘favourite to be new James Bond as movie bosses eye up TWO actors for next film in 007 franchise’
Paul Mescal is reportedly in talks to play a young James Bond in the next film in the 007 franchise.
They say that movie bosses are choosing two actors to play the spy: one older, the other younger.
And now there are rumors that Paul, 27, could be in the running for the lead role in the movie, according to Sun on Sunday.
Irish star Paul, who rose to fame in 2020 with BBC Three romantic drama Normal People, spoke Digital Spy that year: “Would I play Bond?” Yeah?
‘I don’t know. If this ever happened to me, we would discuss it.”
Paul Mescal is reportedly in talks to play a young James Bond in the next film in the 007 franchise (actor Paul pictured in March this year).
MailOnline has contacted Paul’s rep for comment.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson was named the hot favorite to play the next James Bond in October.
Ever since Daniel Craig bowed out as 007 after five films and filmed his Bond swan song in 2021’s No Time to Die, rumors have been swirling about which debonair star would replace the icon.
An insider told MailOnline that British actor Aaron, 33, was very close to landing the role, while Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan, 53, is likely to helm the next film in the franchise.
An insider said: “Aaron Taylor-Johnson is currently the hot favorite for the iconic role, he’s the first choice for Barbara Broccoli – he’s the one to beat.”
They added about Christopher: “He is extremely interested in doing something completely new with the franchise. If he can get his way from the producers, then he’s all for it.”
It was previously reported that Christopher wanted to make the next Bond film as a period piece set in the same source material – something that director Quentin Tarantino previously wanted to do with Casino Royale but was rejected.
However, the insider added: “Whether Nolan’s arrival will affect the casting of Aaron Taylor-Johnson remains unclear at this time – as he is very picky about who he works with.”
Ever since Daniel Craig bowed out as 007 after five films and filmed his Bond swan song in 2021’s No Time to Die, speculation has been rife about which debonair star would replace the icon (pictured here is Daniel in Skyfall ” 2012).
Christopher is known for consistently using the same actors in his films, having worked with another rumored Bond, Tom Hardy, on three films: Inception, Dunkirk and The Dark Knight Rises.
He worked with Aaron on the 2020 film Tenet, in which the actor played supporting character Ives.
Aaron previously spoke about how he “wanted to be in Nolan’s presence” when lobbying for the role in Tenet.
Talking to Hollywood Reporter in 2020, he said: “When you have the opportunity to work with someone like Chris Nolan, you just hope to get your foot in the door.”
“He will always have his own actors, so you never know whether something will work out or not.
“John David Washington, Robert Pattinson and Elizabeth Debicki were already on board, we were weeks away from filming, and I was just waiting in the wings and I raised my hand and said, ‘I would love to be in the same room with Chris Nolan. “And it was quite a difficult process, to be honest.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson was recently named as the hot favorite to play the next James Bond (Aaron pictured last August).
“I went through a few different auditions before I could come into the room to give him another audition.
“So it’s not a done deal, but the best things are worth fighting for and putting yourself at risk.
“So it wasn’t that easy, but luckily he gave me the role. And it didn’t matter to me whether the role was big or small.
“I just wanted to be in his presence on the set of his next film.”
It was previously reported that 53-year-old Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan is likely to helm the next film in the franchise, and Aaron is keen to work with him (Christopher pictured in July this year).