Oh Oh No! Why has Danny Boyle quit Bond film?
Movie world stunned as director Danny Boyle quits over ‘creative differences’
JAMES Bond fans were left shaken – and stirred – last night after director Danny Boyle pulled out of making the next 007 film.
Boyle, who made hit movies Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire, quit over ‘creative differences’ weeks before shooting was due to begin on the 25th instalment in the hugely successful franchise.
The dramatic announcement that the Oscar-winner had pulled out was made in a statement on the official James Bond Twitter account yesterday evening.
Written on behalf of the franchise’s co-producers and lead actor, it read: ‘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.’
Fans were thrilled when it was at last confirmed in May that Craig would return for a final time as 007. At the same time, Mr Wilson and Miss Broccoli – daughter of Cubby Broccoli, who produced more than a dozen Bond films – announced that the ‘exceptionally talented’ Boyle would direct the as-yet unnamed movie.
Boyle, 61, who won an Oscar for Slumdog Millionaire, is also known for films such as Shallow Grave, 28 Days Later, The Beach, Sunshine and 127 Hours.
He was artistic director for the spectacular opening ceremony at the London 2012 Olympic Games, which famously involved the Queen and Craig in a spoof James Bond stunt.
Filming for the new Bond movie is due to start at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire in December. Ben Whishaw is rumoured to be playing Q again with Naomie Harris tipped to reprise her Skyfall and Spectre role as Eve Moneypenny.
It is set to be released in the UK on October 25 next year and in the US a fortnight later.
Boyle had been working on the script with his regular collaborator John Hodge.
He was seen as a risky choice by some fans because of his love for visceral and macabre films, such as his early work on Shallow Grave and Trainspotting.
Spectre and Skyfall, the previous two Bond films, were directed by Sam Mendes, who Craig admitted to ‘butting heads with’ during filming. The 007 actor claimed in 2015 that he would ‘rather slash his wrists’ than play the character again. He admitted: ‘If I did another Bond movie, it would only be for the money.’
Before Boyle was announced as director of the 25th Bond, Christopher Nolan – who directed Inception and The Dark Knight Batman trilogy – admitted he had been in talks with producers.
Hinting that he is keen to direct one of the spy films, making him an early contender to replace
‘Give it a fresh reboot’
Boyle, Nolan told Playboy last year: ‘A Bond movie, definitely. I’ve spoken to the producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson over the years.
‘I deeply love the character, and I’m always excited to see what they do with it. Maybe one day that would work out.’
Last night some fans speculated online that Nolan would replace Boyle. One wrote: ‘Ah, Mr Nolan, we’ve been expecting you.’
Others mused that the director would only step in if he was allowed to give Bond a ‘fresh reboot’ and there were calls for Mendes – who won an Oscar for American Beauty – or Casino Royale director Martin Campbell to return.
Speculation is rife about who will replace Craig as Bond, with Idris Elba the bookies’ favourite.
A representative for Boyle did not respond to requests for comment last night.