The problematic career move that could thwart Aaron Taylor-Johnson's chance at James Bond
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Hollywood bigwigs are questioning if Aaron Taylor-Johnson has the ‘credentials’ to play James Bond after they were left shaken by the dismal response to his new action blockbuster. The actor, 34, who has long had his name in the mix to replace Daniel Craig as the titular British spy, failed to grip audiences as the lead in Kraven the Hunter – a superhero spin-off about Spider-Man's enemy.
![[The actor, 34, who has long had his name in the mix to replace Daniel Craig as the British spy, has failed to grip audiences as the lead in Spider-Man spin-off Kraven the Hunter (pictured)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/20/08/94070951-14279577-The_actor_34_who_has_long_had_his_name_in_the_mix_to_replace_Dan-a-137_1737362500774.jpg)
The film, which launched with a glitzy premiere, has had a disastrous run since its release on December 13, banking a measly £49million ($60million) globally, according to the latest figures, despite costing around £87million to produce. It earned a lacklustre £9million ($11million) in the US on its first weekend, despite playing in over 3,200 cinemas, and only managed to make £12million ($15million) internationally across 60 markets.
![[Craig, 56, had five outings as Bond, with 2021 hit No Time to Die marking his swansong (pictured in Spectre)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/20/08/94071035-14279577-Craig_56_had_five_outings_as_Bond_with_2021_hit_No_Time_to_Die_m-a-136_1737362500773.jpg)
The abysmal figures helped the J. C. Chandor-directed flop to take the title of the worst debut for Sony's Universe of Marvel Characters, just 10 months on from Madame Webb, starring Dakota Johnson, which only earned £80million. The box office figures have left many Hollywood honchos feeling ‘nervous’ about whether Taylor-Johnson has the ‘mainstream appeal’ to take on the lead in a franchise like Bond.
![[A source told Daily Mail.com: ‘People will ask whether Aaron has that mainstream appeal or if this was just a blip' (pictured with his wife Sam Taylor-Johnson in 2022)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/20/08/94070977-14279577-A_source_told_Daily_Mail_com_People_will_ask_whether_Aaron_has_t-a-138_1737362500782.jpg)
Hollywood bigwigs are questioning if Aaron Taylor-Johnson has the ‘credentials’ to play James Bond after they were left shaken by the dismal response to his new action blockbuster. The actor, 34, who has long had his name in the mix to replace Daniel Craig as the British spy, has failed to grip audiences as the lead in Spider-Man spin-off Kraven the Hunter (pictured).
![[But they added: ‘Aaron showed with Kraven he could adopt the physicality of Bond and lead a media promotional campaign. All these factors matter when becoming Bond']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/20/08/94070967-14279577-But_they_added_Aaron_showed_with_Kraven_he_could_adopt_the_physi-a-139_1737362500793.jpg)
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