Films just cannot seem to hold on to their directors these days.
Yesterday a statement from the official James Bond social media announced that Boyle had decided to no longer direct Bond 25.
The reason given by producers Michael G Wilson, Barbara Broccoli and Daniel Craig was “creative differences.”
With production due to begin on December 3, the trio are going to have to pick a replacement pretty quickly and here are the most likely contenders and their odds courtesy of Ladbrokes.
First off it’s worth saying that both Christopher Nolan (3/1 and favourite) and Denis Villeneuve (6/1) are very unlikely contenders in reality.
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Nolan has had conversations with Broccoli in the past, but has made it clear he would only be interested in a “reinvention” of the franchise, suggesting he’s a top contender for Bond 26 with a new actor in the role.
Meanwhile Blade Runner 2049 director Villeneuve was rumoured to be Craig’s original choice for Bond 25 director.
He told ScreenCrush last December: “I said to Barbara, I would love to work with you and with Daniel but I’m engaged [with my Dune remake].”
So who are the real contenders?
Yann Demange (6/1)
Back in July 2017 Deadline revealed three frontrunners who had meetings for Bond 25 and Yann was the favourite.
The French director is best known for ’71, his 2014 historical thriller about the Troubles in Northern Ireland, starring Jack O’Connell and has followed up with this year’s White Boy Rick, a crime drama with Matthew McConaughey.
It’s rumoured that before Boyle signed on with John Hodge’s script, Yann was likely to be chosen and had already taken the original screenplay by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade into account.
He seems the most likely choice for Bond 25, however he is currently shooting HBO’s Lovecraft Country so may now be unavailable.
David Mackenzie (4/1)
Aside from Yann, David was another of the three contenders alongside Denis.
The Hell or High Water director’s latest film, Outlaw King, is in post-production and will be released on Netflix this November.
However he’s also in pre-production on TV series Gemstone, so may be unavailable too.
Sam Mendes (8/1)
He directed the last two Bond films, Skyfall and Spectre, so would be a safe choice to come and finish off his trilogy and Craig’s era.
Nevertheless he too is in pre-production on a new World War I film called 1917.
Martin Campbell (no odds)
This director is a fan favourite, having helmed two Bond reboots in the form of Goldeneye and Casino Royale – both of which are considered two of the very best film in the franchise.
So why not finish with the filmmaker who began Craig’s Bond’s journey?
Bond 25 is set for release in UK cinemas on October 25, 2019.