Boyle quit Bond ‘in Russian villain row’
DANNY BOYLE quit the new Bond film after a dispute over the villain which put him at odds with star Daniel Craig, The Daily Telegraph understands.
Producers are thought to have been about to cast Tomasz Kot, the Polish actor, as the Russian lead villain when the Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire and Trainspotting director left over “creative differences”. There were reports the script was a source of disagreement but an insider said it was over who to cast as the villain. The source added: “Craig has a big say in all the casting decisions.” A clash between Craig and Boyle could have been the cause.
“It was telling the producers put his [Craig’s] name on their release saying that Boyle had been sacked,” the source said. The rift has thrown the franchise into chaos. EON Productions quickly need a replacement and the film’s release in 2019 is likely to be put back.