James Bond 25: How Christopher Nolan can direct Daniel Craig’s final movie AND reboot 007

When it comes to Bond rumours, Nolan is the most popular choice for director when it comes to both Craig’s fifth and final outing in 2019 and rebooting the franchise after his retirement.

Some 007 fans want the filmmaker to wait until after the 49-year-old star is done, perhaps bringing back Sam Mendes to finish this incarnation’s story arc.

After all, during press for Dunkirk Nolan revealed he wanted to do a “reinvention” of Bond, having had talks with 007 producer Barbara Broccoli.

But is it possible for the director to finish off Craig’s storyline and reboot 007 with another actor, possibly his regular Tom Hardy? Yes. Yes, it is.

In fact it’s happened a number of times before over the course of Bond’s half century on film.

Firstly came director Guy Hamilton, who finished Sean Connery’s run with 1971’s Diamonds Are Forever, before introducing the world to Roger Moore with Live and Let Die just two years later.

The same happened again when Moore retired with A View To Kill in 1985, only to be replaced by Timothy Dalton in 1987’s The Living Daylights – with both movies being directed by John Glen.

And let’s not forget the two Bond filmmakers who directed more than one 007. Lewis Gilbert helmed Sean Connery’s You Only Live Twice before returning to direct Moore’s The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker.

Last but not least is Martin Campbell who has rebooted Bond twice, introducing fans to Pierce Brosnan’s post-Cold War take in 1995 and Daniel Craig’s post-9/11 grittiness in 2006.

With these many examples from the history of the franchise in mind, it’s certainly possible for Nolan to do Craig’s exit justice and introduce the world to the next 007. But will it be Tom Hardy?

25 will be released in UK cinemas in early November 2019.