The next James Bond film could be a remake featuring old school villains from the past, according to insiders who claim Euphoria actresses Sydney Sweeney and Zendaya are being bandied about as potential Bond Girls.
While it has been widely reported that Taylor-Johnson, 33, has been formally offered the role of the ultra-suave British spy, sources close to the franchise have now claimed Zendaya, 27, and Sydney, 26, are among the names being considered for his on-screen love interest.
Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, an insider revealed that the franchise’s executive producer Barbara Broccoli was keen to inject a young starlet to take on the iconic femme fatale role.
The source also claimed that Oscar-nominated Dune director Denis Villeneuve was Barbara’s top choice to helm the new film, which could potentially be a remake.
Euphoria actress Zendaya is reportedly being eyed up to star in the new film as a Bond girl
Sources claim that Bond executives are also looking to cast Sydney Sweeney as a love interest
‘How to take Bond in the future has been a talking point for years and they want to differentiate the new films from those starring Daniel Craig, which felt more “real,”‘ an insider said.
‘Barbara wants the fantasy of Bond to return, where the action is there but the larger-than-life bad guys are in the mix.
‘Villains like Jaws or Oddjob are something she would like to see again if they remake an older Bond film.’
As for the hunt for the film’s next director, Barbara is said to have set her sights on French Canadian director Villeneuve, who is behind the juggernaut that is Dune Part 1 and 2.
‘Barbara Broccoli is very eager for Denis to direct the next Bond,’ the source continued.
‘That is her dream scenario, but since he is very busy, it might be difficult to lock him down.
‘If he doesn’t do the next one, they will keep asking him to direct future instalments.
‘For what he has done with Dune and Blade Runner, to bring his talent to something as iconic as Bond is what Barbara wants. He is the number one option.’
Oscar-nominated director Denis Villeneuve is being propositioned to helm the new film
Denis is behind Dune 1 and the newly released Dune II, starring Timothée Chalamet (pictured)
The source added that Sweeney and Zendaya could be approached to play Bond girls.
‘When it comes to Bond girls, they will never leave the franchise, and to have a young Bond is something that will be fun to play with,’ the insider added.
‘Sydney Sweeney has been discussed, but something like that is only determined by schedule, if the casting is right and the director thought it would be right.
‘If they get Denis Villeneuve, who has worked with Zendaya, then she could be in the mix as well.’
Hiring the actresses may prove problematic given that a third season of Euphoria could start pre-production in 2025.
Zendaya might be busy filming season three of Euphoria if Sam Levinson’s script gets the go ahead at HBO
Although Aaron is yet to officially accept the role, once he’s signed the contract he will become the seventh actor to play the iconic British secret service agent since the franchise launched in 1962.
Last March Aaron was said to have completed a screen test at Pinewood Studios with Bond boss Barbara.
Earlier this week, DailyMail.com reported that she is not considering anyone else to play Bond besides the Kick Ass actor, with insiders claiming costume fittings are already underway.
‘It is all in the details and agents and lawyers are going through all the red tape and how many movies Aaron will sign up for,’ an insider said.
‘It is currently looking to be a three-picture deal with the option of a fourth.
‘They have done all the fittings, they have the haircut they have in mind for him, and he’s already in tremendous shape.
‘Barbara Broccoli and the rest of the producers are going to make a huge deal out of the announcement.’
Aaron Taylor-Johnson is on the verge of signing a deal to become the next James Bond
Daniel Craig has been Bond since his first outing in 2006’s Casino Royal, before announcing 2021’s No Time To Die would be his last time as 007
According to the insider, an event will be held where the remaining living Bonds – including George Lazenby, 84, Timothy Dalton, 78, Pierce Brosnan, 70, and Daniel, 56 – will be asked to attend to pass on the torch.
‘They all want this to be one of the biggest announcements ever and are looking to start filming sometime next year to get a movie out in theaters by 2026,’ they said.
On top of going all out for the hotly anticipated official cast announcement, Bond execs are also hoping to take the beloved franchise into a new genre.
The insider added: ‘They would like it to be a little more of a fantasy, with interesting and iconic bad guys and over the top action and not as real as Daniel Craig’s films were.
‘They are looking to steer it more towards the Pierce Brosnan films in terms of tone and referencing Bond’s past that people loved, but still incorporating moments to move the films forward.
Golden Globe winning Taylor-Johnson made his debut in The Apocalypse as a child alongside Richard Harris. He has three huge films upcoming, including The Fall Guy in which he stars alongside Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt as a famous action star who goes missing.
He will also be appearing in the hotly anticipated remake of 1922 gothic horror Nosferatu, directed by Robert Eggers and featuring a star-studded cast, including Bill Skarsgård, Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp and Willem Dafoe.
But Aaron’s biggest upcoming role will see him rejoin the superhero universe, as he takes on the titular role in Kraven the Hunter, the fifth film in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe.
He has been nominated for two BAFTAs and previously won Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Globes for Nocturnal Animals.
