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Aaron Taylor-Johnson Strips It Back

Aaron Taylor-Johnson wears many hats. The 32-year-old is an actor (since he was six years old), a father and husband, an occasional model, and when we hop on a call to talk about his latest campaign for Calvin Klein, an IT guy, too.

There’s a good ten or so minutes where the connection between my end in New York and his end in London is off. His voice is crackly and distorted, and we try to power through before Taylor-Johnson devises a quick solution: He hops off the conference platform, reconnects via a phone call, and is back in the game. “Is this any better?” he asks. It’s a thousand times better.

I’ve caught Taylor-Johnson in a time that he describes as “busy.” The week before, he was in Australia, where he’s been since the beginning of the year, finishing up shoots on The Fall Guy. Now, he’s just touched down in London, where he’s doing additional shoots on Kraven the Hunter before heading out to Prague to shoot Nosferatu. Between all of this, he’s making his debut in a Calvin Klein campaign for the brand’s spring 2023 collection, sporting jaw-grazing hair, boxer briefs, a denim jacket (sans shirt), and snazzy jeans—all with the kind of energetic magnetism that translates seamlessly from the big screen.

“I felt absolutely honored and flattered to have been invited to be a part of Calvin Klein’s men’s underwear,” he says. “I felt incredibly safe in the hands of Mert [Alas] and Marcus [Piggott], who I think are equally iconic photographers.”

The campaign is definitively stripped-back: no frills, no props, no color, even. Alongside fellow Calvin Klein ambassadors Michael B. Jordan, FKA Twigs, Kendall Jenner, and JENNIE, Taylor-Johnson is expressive and acrobatic; on his knees in one shot, standing tall in the next, a statue caught in contrapposto.

“I was almost taking that vulnerability and putting it into confidence,” he says. “It was great fun. I think there’s a level of nerves and expectations when you’re going to be photographed in your underwear, but quite honestly, I’ve only ever worn Calvins, so I just felt honored and thrilled to be part of it.”

Calvin Klein, a brand iconic in its simplicity, its minimalism, its timeless style, is a natural fit for Taylor-Johnson. In the same way that—and bear with this metaphor—underwear are the foundation upon which an outfit is built, Taylor-Johnson’s adaptability, his readiness to step into any role and play any character, is the heart and soul of his career. He describes his own style as “classic”: a pair of jeans, a nice white tee, and boots. Something versatile. Something comfortable. Something that is reliably unchanging.

“I tend to enjoy fashion and dressing up more through characters, when I’m getting ready for a role or I’m in the process of doing something,” he says. “That’s always a part of how I build characters. I work on the psychology, but I also work on the layering and the skin that they wear on the outside as well.”

Taylor-Johnson has worn the skin of a few centuries’ worth of men; he’s been a young John Lennon in Nowhere Boy, sporting vintage ‘50s get-ups that he likes best of all his characters’ wardrobes. He’s been an ostracized Russian socialite in Anna Karenina. And most recently, in Bullet Train, he’s been a deadly assassin, equal parts brutally lethal and charmingly witty, with a mustache as killer as his profession.

Taylor-Johnson laughs when I bring up that ‘stache, sharing that it was a stroke of his own genius—and pandemic-induced experimentation. “It was that facial hair boredom,” he says. “I just got very creative with trying different characters and looks. For that character, I think I tried two or three different beards, and I wore them for a week each. I got a lot of feedback from my family—they all think I’m ludicrously nuts.”

The result, fortunately, looked less than ludicrous, and more like the facial hair of a classy, gentleman killer. It’s a hard look to pull off, but Taylor-Johnson, with his classical features, does it effortlessly and confidently. It seems that’s how he does most things, though.

“I definitely feel like I’m someone who can express myself better in movement than I can in words, which is why I feel more comfortable as a performer,” he says. Things like dance bring him confidence; he finds himself drawn to nature, tells me he finds inspiration from being immersed in it as much as possible, and has taken an interest in regenerative farming and rewilding.

“The lessons you get from just seeing nature just do its thing—it’s really just this sitting back and observing situation, watching and listening and learning and wanting to evolve and grow,” he says. At this point, more than any other, I find myself glad Taylor-Johnson was able to play IT guy and fix the audio at the beginning of our call—the profound passion wouldn’t have been so palpable in his voice otherwise.

“I’m excited by many things, by many people around me,” he says. “But when you’re starting to observe more is when you can really have a chance to…grow.”

AARON TAYLOR-JOHNSON BEING CONSIDERED AS NEXT BOND … Names Are A-Flying!!!

It seems producers of the James Bond franchise aren’t ready to make up their minds on exactly who they have their sights set on — now Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s in the mix.

The British actor — famous for his role in “Kick-Ass” and, more recently, “Bullet Train” — is reported to have had a meeting with Barbara Broccoli in September … and not just that, he even did a screen test that went well, according to Daily Mail and Puck News.

The screen test is said to have been part of a full-blown audition Aaron apparently did for Barbara and co. — and it sounds like everyone was impressed with what they saw. Word is … they had ATJ do the iconic gun barrel opening sequence, which is a huge deal obviously.

The reports say Aaron is now a front-runner, but that nothing is official yet. This is a major development from the news that came out this past weekend — when “Emily in Paris” star Lucien Laviscount was said to have been in the running as well and also considered a favorite.

There’ve been a lot of names thrown around over the past several months, but Aaron’s the first one who’s gotten on camera to try his hand at Bond … as far as we’ve heard at least.

We’ll say this about Aaron … he’s got the Bond vibe. But, so does every other strapping gent that’s been floated!

Aaron Taylor-Johnson is ‘top choice to become the next James Bond after impressing bosses in secret audition’

Aaron Taylor-Johnson is allegedly the top choice to replace Daniel Craig as the next James Bond, after taking part in a secret screen test.

The actor, 32, is said to have impressed producer Barbara Broccoli during an audition at Pinewood Studios, where many of the franchise’s films have been filmed.

A source told The Sun: ‘Aaron went for a screen test to be the next Bond in September and producers and Barbara loved him. He is now one of the front-runners.’ Aaron, who is married to Fifty Shades Of Grey director Sam Taylor-Johnson, 55, has starred in the Kick-Ass movies, Avengers: Age of Ultron and Godzilla.

He started out in the 2001 series Armadillo before featuring in The Bill and Casualty, and securing his big break in the 2009 John Lennon biopic, Nowhere Boy. MailOnline has contacted Aaron’s representatives for comment.

It follows reports that Idris Elba walked away from ‘years of talks’ with movie bosses to become the next James Bond, paving the way for a new 007.

Bookmakers William Hill subsequently placed Henry Cavill at the forefront with 5/2, Regé Jean-Page with odds of 4/1, followed by Tom Hardy and James Norton both with 6/1 and Chiwetel Ejiofor at 7/1.

Aaron and Sam recently took to Instagram as they both shared a rare sweet snap with one another.

Giving an insight into family life, the married couple admitted it was taken by their 10-year-old daughter Romy Hero.

The pair, who have a 23 year age gap, are also parents to 12-year-old Wylda Rae, while filmmaker Sam has two older daughters – Angelica, 25; and Jessie, 16.

The couple nailed a authentic chic look in the shot, with Bullet Train star Aaron sporting a pair of Hunter welly boots with khaki trousers.

He paired the outdoorsy look with a beige T-shirt and gold leaf necklace, sitting behind his wife on a step.

Sitting in between her husband’s legs was Solos producer-director Sam, as she opted for a pair of brown knee high boots.She added a pair of black leggings and a dark shirt from brand God’s True Cashmere to finish the low-key look.

Sam’s bright blonde locks were left to fall freely in a tousled style, as the star appeared make-up free while she and her beau gazed at the camera.

‘When your 10 yr old takes the best picture ❤️,’ captioned the beauty as she accredited Romy.

The couple tied the knot back in 2012, after meeting in 2009 on the set of film Nowhere Boy – which starred Aaron and was directed by Sam.

They welcomed their first child Wylda in 2010, and Romy two years later, while Sam has her two elder daughters Angelica and Jessie from her 11-year marriage to art dealer Jay Jopling, which ended in 2008.

And sharing a loved up snap to celebrate ten years of marriage back in June, Sam dubbed her husband ‘father to all 4 girls.’

’10 glorious years. My incredible husband, father to all 4 girls. I love you, I love you, I love you. love conquers all,’ she wrote,

In honour of the marriage milestone, the pair decided to renew their ‘vows and confess our love in front of our nearest and dearest friends and family.’

‘It was a magical unforgettable day and the sun did not stop shining on us both,’ Aaron gushed on Instagram.

‘We are blessed beyond belief. Sammy you are my love, my life, my soulmate, my wife, my world!’

Aaron Taylor-Johnson Joins Ryan Gosling In ‘The Fall Guy’

Aaron Taylor-Johnson is the latest to join Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt in the cast of Universal’s The Fall Guy, which has a March 1, 2024 release date. Production for the film is set to begin in Australia this fall.

The feature film from Universal, 87North and Entertainment 360, is inspired by the 1980s series of the same name and will be directed by David Leitch, who is producing with partner Kelly McCormick via their 87North along with Guymon Casady, who will produce through Entertainment 360. Drew Pearce, who worked with Leitch on Universal’s Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, wrote the script and serves as executive producer.

Gosling will also produce. Geoff Shaevitz and original series creator Glen A. Larson will also executive produce. EVP Production Matt Reilly will oversee the project on behalf of Universal.

Plot details are unknown at this time.

The film marks a reunion for Taylor-Johnson and Leitch who recently worked together on the hit Sony action thriller Bullet Train opposite Brad Pitt. Taylor-Johnson is also set to star as the titular character in Sony and Marvel’s Kraven the Hunter movie. He is repped by WME, Brillstein Entertainment Partners and Sloane, Offer, Weber and Dern.

The Hollywood Reporter was first to break the Fall Guy casting news.

Taylor-Johnson says Brad Pitt has ‘s–t list’ of actors he won’t work with

Actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson says his costar Brad Pitt has a “good” list and “s–t” list of actors he will and won’t work with.

The pair star together in “Bullet Train” helmed by “John Wick” and “Deadpool 2” director David Leitch.

Promoting his latest onscreen venture at Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland, the actor dished on what working with Pitt was like.

Referring to Pitt as a “humble and gracious human being,” the actor told Variety, “He is in a new chapter of his life, I think.”

Taylor-Johnson, who has previously starred in action movies like “Kick-Ass” and “Avengers: Age of Ultron” continued, “He just wants to bring light and joy into the world and be around people who are there to have a good time.

“You work with many actors and after a while, you start making notes: ‘I am definitely not working with this person ever again.’ Brad has this list too: the ‘good’ list and the ‘s–t’ list.”

A fight scene from the film — which was released in the US on Friday — between the two stars left Taylor-Johnson hospitalized after he sustained major injuries on set.

After implementing a “crazy mad Keto diet” in an effort to get “scrawny and lean” for the film, the actor fainted due to “low blood sugar levels” shortly after sustaining a hand injury.

“We were in a fight sequence and I get drop-kicked across the room. And the one sharp bit of the corner where there wasn’t any padding took a chunk out of my hand. I literally went wham, passed out,” he told Variety of the incident.

“Then I came back and was like ‘Should we go again?’ and they were like ‘No, no, no. You gotta go get stitches at the hospital.’ So then I spent the night in the hospital,” he added.

“When you sign up for a David Leitch movie you know you gotta get a couple battle scars, some war wounds,” he added.