Forget James Bond, Aaron Taylor-Johnson Should Be the Next Austin Powers

Admittedly, there’s something about those Bond movies that keeps people on the edge of their seats waiting for the next one. What’s not to love with its perfect blend of a suave protagonist, high-stakes action sequences, and exotic international locations? So, it makes sense that all eyes are fastened on screens waiting for the arrival of the next Bond movie… and actor, of course. The list of contenders includes the likes of Jonathan Bailey, Lashana Lynch, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, with Taylor-Johnson being considered the frontrunner. However, there’s also this nagging feeling that Aaron Taylor-Johnson would be great as the next Austin Powers.

Many Bond-esque spy spoofs have hit the big screen from Mortdecai to Johnny English, but you have to admit that there’s something about Austin Powers. First gracing our screens in 1997, Mike Myers played the grooviest, shagadelic spy this side of the swinging sixties. Sparring with the likes of Dr. Evil, Fat Bastard, and Gold Member — all played by Myers — Powers added his own groovy flair to every single mission.  With Myers strongly hinting that there’s another Austin Powers movie in the works, there’s a glimmer of hope that we’ll see the spy back in action soon. Sure, Myers will probably reprise his iconic role, but we could also live in a world where Johnson donned the groovy garbs of the International man of mystery.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson Is a Great All-Rounder, But He’s Better When He’s Hilarious

Be it heartthrob, vigilante, or comic sensation, it is clear that Johnson knows his way around screens – big and small. Once you sift through the rising pile of titles he has to his name, it is clear he’s nothing short of a theatrical chameleon. From Kickass to Avengers: Age of Ultron and the likes of  Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging, if you’re ready to dig deep, he’s done just about everything. However, there’s one area where he unarguably shines the most when compared to the others – and that’s comedy. Exhibit one, his role as Tangerine in Bullet train. In a nutshell, he plays a self-important assassin whose blunders and ego make him unintentionally hilarious.

The character is nowhere near humble about taking down the world’s deadliest criminals, although he’ll eventually meet his match in Ladybug (Brad Pitt) and The Prince (Joey King). Despite his efforts to look intimidating, his fights often become chaotic, showing how little control he actually has. But, the beauty of this character is his layers, underneath the tough guy act, he’s surprisingly sensitive, especially with his partner, Lemon (Brian Tyree Henry). There’s also a level of relatability here, he’s as human as they get, ditching his formal skills for anything that helps him survive. At the end of the day, this makes him lean more towards being a comedic figure than a true action hero.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson Proves He Doesn’t Take Himself Too Seriously With ‘The Fall Guy’

Let’s not stop at Bullet Train, if there’s another movie that proves Aaron Taylor Johnson should be the next Austin Powers, it’s The Fall Guy. The film sees the actor proving that he does not take himself too seriously… at all. As Tom Ryder, he’s totally over-the-top and ridiculous — a hilarious take on a clueless Hollywood star. With his thick accent and silly mannerisms, Taylor-Johnson shows how out of touch Ryder is, especially when he shrugs off his stuntman Colt’s (Ryan Gosling) injuries like they’re no big deal. The way Taylor-Johnson portrays Ryder accidentally spilling his own secrets, revealing his incompetence and cowardice, is pure comedy gold. By bringing out the caricature in Ryder, Taylor-Johnson shows just how good he is at mixing humor with sharp character work.

It takes a special kind of actor to bring out the comedy in roles that are clearly not comedic, without creating a complete anarchy of worlds. Perhaps that’s exactly what the new Austin Powers needs, someone who’s not afraid to play dumb, but ready to truly explore the depths of the character. No doubt Myers laid down a great foundation for the character, but no doubt Taylor-Johnson could build on the humor, incompetence, and yes – sexual appeal, by adding a dash of humanity to the character. Sure, weighing James Bond against Austin Powers is…well, those characters are as similar as they are different. However, history has proven that Aaron Taylor-Johnson slides right into more eccentric roles. So, why not? Taylor-Johnson would be perfect as the next Austin Powers!

Want to fall in love with Aaron Taylor-Johnson a little bit more? You can now stream The Fall Guy on Peacock.