Pitlochry director in Bond’s sights.

FILM: Director of Robert the Bruce epic back in frame for next 007 adventure

A Perthshire film-maker who is poised to release his highly-anticipated Robert the Bruce biopic has become the bookies’ favourite to direct the next James Bond movie. David Mackenzie has been putting the finishing touches to his historic epic Outlaw King before its big-screen debut at the Toronto International Film Festival next month. And now the Oscar-nominated director, who studied at Dundee’s Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, has emerged as frontrunner to take the helm of the next 007 feature, arguably the most prestigious gig in British cinema. The director’s chair was left vacant after Trainspotting’s Danny Boyle quit over “creative differences”. He reportedly had a casting dispute with star Daniel Craig about the movie’s villain. According to bookmakers William Hill, David Mackenzie is 3/1 favourite to land the director’s role. He would be the first Scot to direct a proper Bond movie – although film buffs could argue that Glaswegian Joseph McGrath was one of six directors who made the 1967 spoof version of Casino Royale, starring David Niven. Also in the running is Denis Villeneuve, who made last year’s Blade Runner 2049, at 4/1, and French-born Yann Demange at 6/1. Ranked outsider at 10/1 is Kathryn Bigelow, the only woman to win a Best Director Oscar. Mackenzie was tipped for the James Bond gig back in July, last year, before Danny Boyle was confirmed. MacKenzie, who is from Trinafour, near Pitlochry, received an Academy Award nomination for his breakthrough hit Hell Or High Water, a modern-day western shot on location in Texas. His passion project Outlaw King will premier in Toronto on Thursday, September 6, before it is streamed around the world on Netflix. It has been hailed as one of the biggest productions ever made in Scotland. Filming has just finished after shooting at locations including Craigmillar, Blackness and Doune castles, Aviemore, Linlithgow Palace and Glencoe. Produced by Glasgow-based Sigma Films, it is backed by Netflix and funded by the Scottish Government and National Lottery. It stars Star Trek’s Chris Pine and Game of Thrones actor Stephen Dillane. Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop outlined the impact the film could have on Scottish industries. “A major production like Outlaw King brings huge benefits to the whole screen sector, as well as related businesses,” she said.

Outlaw King director David Mackenzie, from Trinafour, near Pitlochry, is the bookies’ favourite to take the helm for Daniel Craig’s last Bond film, arguably the most prestigious gig in British cinema.

Daniel Craig as James Bond.