Aaron Taylor-Johnson graces the latest cover of Rolling Stone UK ahead of what is going to be a busy rest of the year for the 33-year-old actor. He’s got a supporting role in “The Fall Guy” (in theaters May 3 from Warner Bros), he’s headlining the superhero movie “Kraven the Hunter” (in theaters Aug. 30 from Sony) and he’s part of Robert Eggers’ “Nosferatu” ensemble (in theaters Dec. 25 from Focus Features). “Kraven” offers Taylor-Johnson an opportunity to launch a new superhero franchise after a single appearance as Pietro Maximoff in the Marvel Cinematic Universe courtesy of 2015’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron.”
“I think there was something unique about this character, and something grounded,” Taylor-Johnson told the publication about tackling Kraven. “We’ve all had enough of seeing certain studio films, a certain kind of pop culture… where they’re churning out stuff that dilutes wanting to go to the cinema. I wouldn’t have signed onto it if I felt there wasn’t something to really bring to life with this character.”
“Taking on a Sony / Marvel movie is a different challenge altogether,” he added later in the interview. “There’s the story, the character, the role; that’s one thing. But then you also step into a world where you’re dealing with a studio and a franchise — or possible franchises, though let’s not get ahead of ourselves. So, they’re rolling the dice on me, in a sense, which is a lovely thing. But you’ve got to appease the studio, please the audience and do what’s dignified for you as an actor. I find all of that super challenging.”
Another potential franchise on the horizon for Taylor-Johnson is James Bond. He’s long been considered a favorite to take over the role from Daniel Craig, with The Sun reporting on March 18 that he was officially offered the role and will sign a contract imminently. Sources close to Taylor-Johnson downplayed the report and said he has not been cast as Bond, but technically anything is possible in the future.
“I can only really talk about the things I’m going to show and tell,” Taylor-Johnson said when Rolling Stone UK asked about Bond. “I don’t feel like I need to have a future drawn out for me. I feel like: whatever’s drawn out for me, I can fuckin’ do better.”
Head over to Rolling Stone UK’s website to read Taylor-Johnson’s cover story in its entirety.