There was surprise earlier this week when it was announced that Danny Boyle will no longer be in charge of Daniel Craig’s 007 swansong, reportedly due to creative differences.
With speculation mounting that the film’s November 2019 release date could be pushed back, pressure is very much on the top producers to find someone else to take the helm.
According to Deadline, Jean-Marc Vallee has been near the very top of the list.
Vallee has directed some incredibly acclaimed work in his career, including the 2013 Oscars darling Dallas Buyers Club.
He also directed the first season of the hugely successful Big Little Lies, and has taken the reigns on Sharp Objects.
His 2005 film C.R.A.Z.Y., which he also wrote and co-produced, has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes – so it’s safe to say he’s earned his stripes as a film-maker.
So could he join forces with Craig to make the next James Bond film?
Deadline’s report claims his packed schedule could make an appointment tricky, but he certainly seems to be in bosses’ crosshairs.
Also being touted are Baby Driver’s Edgar Wright, Hell or High Water‘s David Mackenzie and White Boy Rick’s Yann Demange.
Boyle’s departure was a huge surprise, especially given the excitement that had surrounded his initial appointment.
The 007 Twitter account posted: “Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli and Daniel Craig today announced that due to creative differences Danny Boyle has decided to no longer direct Bond 25.”
Yesterday it was claimed that a clash over casting was what ultimately led to his exit.
“Craig has a big say in all the casting decisions. None of the Bond girls have been chosen without his say so,” a source told the Telegraph.
“It was telling the producers put his [Craig’s] name on their release saying that Boyle had been sacked.
“I have heard that they wanted to bring that Cold War element in but update it to the modern day.
“Danny Boyle was in for that. That wasn’t the problem. The problem came in when they were making the final decisions about casting pre-production.”