Aaron Taylor-Johnson took a stroll around London with a new addition to his face.
The 34-year-old actor, who is a frontrunner to play the next James Bond, has grown himself a luscious beard.
Accompanied by director wife Sam Taylor-Johnson, Aaron publicly debuted the look while on the way vote in the General Election.
For the occasion, he chose a white cotton t-shirt, denim jeans and a pair of cowboy boots with a small heel. He didn’t risk being caught out by the abysmal summer weather for the day out in Notting Hill, choosing a light suede jacket to compliment his ensemble.
Sam, 57, looked just as stylish as her husband in white jeans, a t-shirt and a black fitted blazer.
The Back to Black director shared a snap from their outing to Instagram, showing a man playing a violin in front of a sign showing them the way to vote.
Aaron has been a hot favourite to take on the 007 role after spending years proving his credentials, from the coming-of-age film Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging, to the more recent action blockbuster Bullet Train.
Since 1962, many actors have served their time as the fictional secret service agent in the iconic franchise, including Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan, and Sir Rodger Moore.
But Aaron has the chance to give us something new if he doesn’t reach for a razor, and does end up taking on the job.
Up until now, we’ve not had a Bond with such distinctive facial hair for their entire run (though Brosnan did briefly sport a beard in Die Another Day) and maybe it’s about time we did!
From Luther star Idris Elba to Oscar-winning Irish actor Cillian Murphy and Witcher star Henry Cavill, no eligible lead male star has been left untouched by speculation.
But in March it was reported that Aaron, who has long been named as the bookies’ favourites to be picked for the prestigious part, had been ‘formally’ offered 007 and was expected to sign the contract imminently.
However, this was soon refuted by a production insider who told the BBC there was ‘no truth’ to the claims.
When Aaron was asked by an AP reporter if he gets sick of being asked about Bond, he replied: ‘‘You sick of asking the question?’
However, Sam was a little more enthusiastic when asked about the rumours by Jonathan Ross on his ITV show, she stated: ‘Carry on speculating, he’d be great.’
Sam, who was previously married to art dealer Jay Jopling for 11 years, and Aaron first met on the set of Nowhere Boy. At the October 2009 premiere, they announced they were engaged.
Over the years, both Sam and Aaron have defended their 24-year age gap.
‘He was very intense and absolutely mind made-up (about us dating)’ the Back to Black director reportedly told E News previously, while he said to The Sunday Independent: ‘I’m an old soul and she’s a young soul.’
The couple have two children together – Wylda Rae, born in July 2010, and Romy Hero Johnson, who was born in January 2012. Sam also has two daughters from her previous marriage, making up the rest of their blended family.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : James Bond’s most problematic moments from Goldfinger to Skyfall
MORE : BBC heart-throb tipped to be the next James Bond after bookies slash odds
MORE : James Bond icon Sir Roger Moore’s grave ‘vandalised’
Share this with