Aaron Taylor-Johnson is a "bit on the young side" to play James Bond, a leading entertainment journalist has claimed.

The 33-year-old, known for 'Kick-Ass' and 'Bullet Train,' is reported to have been ‘formally offered the job’ by The Sun.

However, the production company that makes Bond films, Eon Productions, said there is "no truth" to the rumours.

Daniel Craig starred in the franchise across five films, beginning in 2006 with 'Casino Royal,' before hanging up his boots after 'No Time to Die' in 2021.

On Moncrieff today, Entertainment.ie movie editor Brian Lloyd said he is “sceptical” of reports Aaron Taylor-Johnson was nailed on to become the next Bond.

“If The Sun told me the grass was green, I’d have to look down and double-check,” he said.

“I am very sceptical; I think it will be a younger actor but I don’t think it will be him.

“If it does end up being him, they are obviously trying to pitch it as Bond as a young man, how did he become Bond and get the 007 rating.”

'Billion-dollar franchise'

Mr Lloyd said there is a lot at stake in casting the fictional secret service agent.

“The casting process is probably one of the most involved in Hollywood,” he said.

“This is a billion-dollar franchise and they have to get it right.

“You immediately become one of the most famous actors in the world as a result, you become a household name overnight.”

Mr Lloyd said the franchise typically likes to case relatively unknown actors on an international level like Daniel Craig and Roger Moore had been.

Daniel Craig playing James Bond in No Time To Die.

He also said there are other names rumoured to have gone through casting for the role.

“Theo James from Netflix’s The Gentlemen has been mentioned, as has Joe Alwyn,” said Mr Lloyd.

“Every English and Scottish actor between the ages of 30 and 40 has been mentioned as playing Bond at some stage - Cillian Murphy’s name had been flown around at one point.

“There are any number of actors that can play the role and the role itself is defined by the person who plays it - any actor who comes to it could bring something different to it.”

Role refusals

Mr Lloyd said people have been known to turn down the role in the past.

“Gerard Butler was up for it at one point, they offered it to him around the David Craig era but he turned it down because he didn’t want to be locked into a five-picture deal,” he said.

“You also get some actors who don’t necessarily turn it down but when they find out they haven’t got it, it’s a moment of relief for them.

“I can see how some actors are reticent to do it, Roger Moore for the rest of his days was always associated with Bond – it can be hard to move on from the role.”

Filming for the 26th James Bond film is estimated to be at least two years away.

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Main image: Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Image: Stephen Chung / Alamy Stock Photo