A former James Bond villain has said High Wycombe-born Aaron Taylor-Johnson would be a 'great' choice to replace Daniel Craig in the famous spy franchise.

Sir Jonathan Pryce, who played Bond villain Elliot Carver opposite Pierce Brosnan's 007 in the 1997 film Tomorrow Never Dies has weighed in on the rumours that Buckinghamshire actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson is next in line to play Ian Fleming's iconic spy.

The 77-year-old told ITV's Good Morning Britain that he has known Taylor-Johnson for years and has enjoyed watching him develop as an actor.

Adding: "It's quite interesting to talk about Bond because even at (a young) age, he was quite the ladies' man.

“He’s grown into a wonderful actor and when he was a little younger, he did this extraordinary sort of action film (Kick-Ass) where he played a superhero.

“And he’s great, look at him now, he’s black tie, handsome and yeah, he’d be a great Bond.”

The Sun reported yesterday (March 19) that Eon Productions, which has made most of the films in the Bond series, has offered Taylor-Johnson the main role and claimed that new production will start filming later this year.

However, a 'production insider' told BBC News that there is "no truth in the rumours".

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Young Bond series author Charlie Higson previously rubbished the idea of a “frontrunner” for 007 being the person who ends up playing them.

He told the PA news agency in May 2023 that if an actor is talked about as “being considered” as the next 007 “you know that they’ve been rejected”.

Higson also said that Eon Productions likes to “really surprise people”, as when they cast the previous Bond, Daniel Craig, in the main role.

Other actors have been touted for the role of 007 such as Man of Steel and The Witcher star Henry Cavill, Snowfall actor Damson Idris, Oppenheimer actor Cillian Murphy and Luther star Idris Elba.

Taylor-Johnson and Eon Productions have previously been asked for comment.