In an interview with Esquire magazine, Aaron Taylor-Johnson opened up about his deliberate choice to decline “significant, expansive franchises” following his rise to fame in Hollywood, marked by his roles in box-office hits like “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and “Godzilla.”
While these consecutive successes solidified Taylor-Johnson as one of Hollywood’s rising stars, he intentionally opted out of additional franchise opportunities to prioritize spending quality time with his family.
“From ‘Kick-Ass’ to ‘Godzilla’ and ‘Avengers,’ all these opportunities were laid out for me,” Taylor-Johnson shared. “However, my passion for them was lacking… I was even considered for roles in major, well-known franchises that were in the works. But at that point, my main desire was simply to be with my children. I didn’t want to be distanced from them. The internal struggle of imagining that scenario was real.”
Reflecting on his involvement in studio blockbusters, he continued, “I suppose I wasn’t quite prepared to be in such a position anyway – it felt too premature. Also, to some extent, I was unfazed.”
Taylor-Johnson also expressed his aversion to transitioning rapidly from one film project to the next. Discussing his recent string of productions, which included “Kraven the Hunter,” “The Fall Guy,” and “Nosferatu,” he revealed, “In my view, an actor who simply hops from project to project becomes predictably monotonous. It’s a routine of being picked up, taken to the set, getting your makeup done, being directed to your mark, reciting your lines, and receiving praise. Then it’s on to the next job. Frankly, that’s not my style. While some may dream of this, it doesn’t fuel my creative spirit. I derive satisfaction from the simple, everyday aspects of life. Assisting my children in the mornings, escorting them to school and their activities – that’s fulfilling for me.”
Taylor-Johnson is returning to the realm of Hollywood tentpole productions, assuming a prominent role in Sony’s “Kraven the Hunter,” set within the studio’s Spider-Man universe.
“I must admit, I believed I had moved beyond these types of movies,” Taylor-Johnson confessed.
He continued, “Embracing this role, immersing oneself in what this franchise represents, demands a full commitment. Approaching it with a half-hearted, ‘let’s give it a shot mentality won’t suffice. Mental preparedness is necessary to handle any potential outcomes. I am now in a stable place where I am willing to face this challenge. In hindsight, I probably wasn’t ready to welcome this into my life earlier.”
“Kraven the Hunter” is scheduled to premiere in theaters on August 30, 2024, courtesy of Sony Pictures.
