James Bond frontrunner Aaron Taylor Johnson looks worlds away from 007 as he shoots 28 Days Later sequel

AARON Taylor-Johnson was seen running for his life and barely recognisable as shooting begins on the 28 Days Later sequel.

The 33-year-old actor was seen charging through the streets of Holy Island, off the northeast coast of England, looking panicked and frightened.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson is unrecognisable after bulking up for the new movie
11
Aaron Taylor-Johnson is unrecognisable after bulking up for the new movieCredit: Click News and Media
Shooting got underway in Holy Island in north England
11
Shooting got underway in Holy Island in north EnglandCredit: Click News and Media
Cillian Murphy led the original smash-hit thriller
11
Cillian Murphy led the original smash-hit thrillerCredit: Other20th Century Fox

In the third instalment of the Danny Boyle trilogy, 28 Years Later will pick up on the thrilling horror world, nearly three decades after an apocolyptic event saw the uprise of zombie-like creatures.

Johnson's role is currently not known, but he looks miles away from the slick and suave James Bond role he has been highly connected to in recent months.

Instead, he's traded high-end cars and suits for hiking boots and check-shirts as he made his way through the streets.

Dishevelled and unkept, Johnson has bulked out his muscled frame for the role, with a scruffy looking beard and shaggy hair completely changing his face.

READ MORE AARON TAYLOR-JOHNSON

The actor has become known for his more action-packed roles, previously starring in Bullet Train, Avengers: Age of Ultron and Kickass.

He's next due on our screens as Kraven The Hunter in a new Sony superhero movie.

28 Years Later follows the 2002 smash-hit indie movie, 28 Days Later starring Cillian Murphy, and 2007's 28 Weeks Later.

It's believed Murphy will reprise his role of Jim, with Jodie Comer and Ralph Fiennes also joining the cast alongside Johnson.

While the initial movie was iconically shot in a barren London, and the second movie sees Jim wind up in Manchester and Cumbria, this time film crews have been spotted in Newcastle, as well as Holy Island.

Hundreds of residents have been hired as extras and it's believed many of them will portray those infected by the Rage Virus, which transforms them into zombies.

Johnson's character was seen charging through the streets
11
Johnson's character was seen charging through the streetsCredit: Click News and Media
Johnson looked dishevelled and unkept in the new role - miles away from his supposed Bond role
11
Johnson looked dishevelled and unkept in the new role - miles away from his supposed Bond roleCredit: Click News and Media
The dapper actor is normally seen suited and booted
11
The dapper actor is normally seen suited and bootedCredit: Getty

BOND LATEST

In 2022, The Sun exclusively revealed that the talented actor was the frontrunner to be the next James Bond.

Multiple names had been thrown in the ring to take over the acclaimed role from Daniel Craig who bowed out after 2021's No Time To Die.

Other stars including James Norton, Idris Elba, Cillian Murphy and Tom Hardy had been eyed up in the past as well.

However, Johnson's name has remained strongly connected with the Bond franchise.

By March 2024, The Sun revealed a contract had been drawn up and Bond bosses were just waiting for him to sign on the dotted line.

A source said: “Bond is Aaron’s job, should he wish to accept it. The formal offer is on the table and they are waiting to hear back.

“As far as Eon is concerned, Aaron is going to sign his contract in the coming days and they can start preparing for the big announcement.”

Shooting started earlier this week
11
Shooting started earlier this weekCredit: Click News and Media
The Hollywood star has joined the third movie in the franchise
11
The Hollywood star has joined the third movie in the franchiseCredit: Click News and Media
28 Years Later will see a future beyond the original horror movie
11
28 Years Later will see a future beyond the original horror movieCredit: Click News and Media
Aaron looked sweaty after bulking up
11
Aaron looked sweaty after bulking upCredit: Click News and Media
Spotted in action, Aaron's role is currently unknown
11
Spotted in action, Aaron's role is currently unknownCredit: Click News and Media