He’s already bulked up for Hollywood blockbuster Tenet and drastically overhauled his physique for action comedy Bullet Train.
But now Aaron Taylor-Johnson faces another Herculean challenge – morphing into James Bond.
The 33-year-old is rumored to have been formally offered the job of replacing Daniel Craig as 007, beating off a star-studded list of contenders Idris Elba, Tom Hardy and Henry Cavil.
Taylor-Johnson’s personal trainer Matt Hodges has now shared a fascinating insight into how the Bond-to-be might bulk up for MI6 service — and the advice could apply to other men too.
Speaking to Men’s Health, Mr Hodges, who previously worked in fitness modelling, said he would recommend a three-month weight lifting regime for someone with a body like Taylor-Johnson’s.
Kale-growing feminist Aaron Taylor-Johnson is rumored to be the next James Bond and apparently has the 007 contract in his hand
A chiselled Aaron Taylor Johnson posing for Calvin Klein in its 2023 advertising campaign
‘Sixteen weeks is what I would call a minimum for putting on decent size,’ Mr Hodges told Men’s Health.
For the actor, who has already built his strong frame over many years, the personal trainer suggests a mix of weighted squats, lunges and pull ups.
Mr Hodges recommends doing four to six reps of the following exercises, with a two minute rest between sets:
- Goblet squats. For these, Mr Hodges says you will need to grab a heavy kettlebell or dumbbell and hold the weight to your chest, before squatting with your feet shoulder-width apart and back straight.
- Standing military press. This involves using barbells or dumbbells starting by resting them at shoulder height and pushing the weights above your head so your arms are fully extended, and repeat.
- Rack pulls. This is like a deadlift but it starts on the rack instead of the floor, Mr Hodges tells Men’s Health. Start with your feet shoulder width apart, shoulders back and stand straight and lift the weight with a slight bend in the knees.
- Dead hang pull-ups. This move involves gripping an overhead bar with your palms facing away and taking your weight off the floor and hanging.
- Barbell forward lunges. Finish off by doing 10 forward lunges with a barbell and hold a ski sit for one minute. The ski sit involves standing with your back to the wall and squat as if you are sitting in an invisible chair.
Bond film producers previously said the next 007 would be a man, a Brit and young enough to commit to the role for 15 years – Taylor-Johnson ticks those boxes perfectly. The actor met his wife Sam, 58, (pictured right) who is a filmmaker on the set of Nowhere Boy when he was just 18 and director Sam was 42. They didn’t get together until after they finished the project, later marrying in 2012
However, building muscles hasn’t always been the goal for Taylor-Johnson’s acting roles. The self-declared feminist, who has grown kale and pumpkins, previously movie success as weedy hero Dave Lizewski in comedy Kick-Ass.
While shooting Bullet Train with Brad Pitt, released in 2022, Taylor-Johnson was on the keto diet to get lean.
The ketogenic diet, also known as the keto diet, involves cutting out almost all carbs and adding a high amount of fat and protein to every meal.
As a result, bread, rice and pasta are completely excluded, as are sweets, chocolate and cakes. Even dairy, fruit and vegetables are limited.
The diet aims to force the body into burning fat for energy instead of glucose — a process known as ketosis.
But instead of a diet plan that involves no carbs, Mr Hodges recommends a balanced diet that will be enough fuel for a weight lifting gym routine. He suggests increasing protein and carbohydrate if you want to build muscle.
Taylor-Johnson, who played a hitman, admitted that he got ‘all scrawny and lean’ for the role.
He claimed it made him pass out during a fight scene because it left him with low blood sugar.
Responding to the Bond rumours last week, Taylor-Johnson offered a non-denial: ‘I find it charming and wonderful that people see me in that role. I take it as a great compliment.’
