AARON TAYLOR-JOHNSON X ROLLING STONE UK

Aaron Taylor-Johnson covers the April/May 2024 issue of Rolling Stone UK. Away from wild tabloid speculation about the highly coveted James Bond casting, the actor has plenty to be excited about when his next big role has him star opposite Ryan Gosling in the brilliant action/comedy The Fall Guy, out 2nd May.
 
Having been acting since the age of six – starring in his first feature film age 10 alongside Jackie Chan in Shanghai Knights – through to playing the lead in Marvel’s Kraven the Hunter (released 30th August) before closing the year in Robert Eggers eagerly anticipated reimagining of Nosferatu, Aaron Taylor-Johnson is set to be Britain’s next big film star. And what of those Bond rumours? “I can only really talk about the things I’m going to show and tell. So, The Fall Guy, Nosferatu, Kraven the Hunter,” he tells Rolling Stone UK with a wry smile. “I don’t feel like I need to have a future drawn out for me. I feel like, whatever’s drawn out for me, I can fuckin’ do better.”
 
Aaron Taylor-Johnson on not attending drama school and learning his craft by being on film sets: 
“You work with good and bad actors, divas and non-divas. You learn how not to behave… Sometimes doing those jobs kept me out of trouble at the right time. In the suburbs of London, there’s not much to do but piss around and be naughty. And that was fun, but acting was a saving grace.”
 
Aaron Taylor-Johnson on his upcoming lead role in Kraven The Hunter:
“I think there was something unique about this character, and something grounded. We’ve all had enough of seeing certain studio films, a certain kind of pop culture… where they’re churning out stuff that dilutes wanting to go to the cinema. I wouldn’t have signed onto it if I felt there wasn’t something to really bring to life with this character.” 
 
Aaron Taylor-Johnson on bulking up to play the stealthy predator that is Kraven:
“I wanted to approach it like an actor, and I’m not someone who’s just juicing up and going to the gym. I don’t necessarily want this to be my brand, doing one action movie after another. But I trained to the point where I was 200 pounds of muscle. I ate so much fucking food. I was so big,”
 
Aaron Taylor-Johnson on his desire to do a musical:
“I grew up dancing; I work with movement coaches… Please someone write me a musical. I’d do it!” 
 
Aaron Taylor-Johnson on having children with director wife Sam Taylor-Johnson:
“You realise it’s your job to protect the purest, most innocent thing that’s come into the world. And it’s your duty to be their role model. You are going to be reflected in their choices later on in life, from who their partners are to how they carry themselves in the world.”
 
Aaron Taylor-Johnson on juggling his career and family life:
“People see and perceive this thing around my career, and that’s OK. But I’m just trying to juggle my family and my work. I’m doing normal life; dentist appointments. Career doesn’t necessarily take a back seat, but it takes a different thought behind the choices that you make. But you also discover characters you’re drawn to because of that, you’re not just some 20-year-old anymore. You unlock some secret thing… I don’t want a jobbing career.”