Scots director in the sights as favourite for next Bond movie

Scottish director David Mckenzie has emerged as the front-runner in the race to claim the director’s chair in the next James Bond film.

Plans for the 25th film were thrown into turmoil after Danny Boyle quit his role as director citing “creative differences”.

A replacement has not been decided after his sudden departure, and there is speculation as to who will be directing Daniel Craig in the next instalment.

Bookmaker William Hill has slashed odds on the return of former Bond director Sam Mendes, and are taking bets on a raft of other names.

Mackenzie is the current favourite, with French director Yann Demange and Canada’s Denis Villeneuve making up the top three.

Here are the favourites for Bond fans to consider.

David Mackenzie – 3/1

The Scottish director oversaw the filming of modern Western Hell Or High Water starring Jeff Bridges.

Mackenzie directed his leading man to an Oscar nomination in the film. No stranger to a lower budget, he also directed gritty prison drama Starred Up. With apparent versatility, the writer and director could take on the Bond franchise.

Denis Villeneuve – 4/1

The French-canadian director has been touted as a potential heir to Danny Boyle. He has made a name for himself directing the Oscar-winning sci-fi drama Arrival.

Sam Mendes – 7/1

Mendes already has experience with Bond, having directlar

0 Daniel Craig will return as 007 for the next instalment 0 David Mckenzie is odds-on favourite at 3/1

ed the 2012 release Skyfall, and the 2015 follow-up Spectre.

With a grip on the material and familiarity with leading man Craig, bookmakers have placed him in the running to return to directorial duties. Christopher Nolan – 8/1 The English director has been credited with bringing a depth and darkness to another popu-

franchise: Batman. He has years of Hollywood experience.

Kathryn Bigelow – 14/1

The 25th instalment of the Bond franchise could be the first to have a female director, with Oscar-winner Bigelow firmly in the running. She is no stranger to action, with her riveting war film The Hurt Locker winning Best Motion Picture. Bigelow herself won best director for the acclaimed film.

Ken Loach – 50/1

Far from favourite to take on the high-octane spy franchise is veteran social realism filmmaker Loach. His interests probably lie far outside the story of a secret agent, and bookmakers have given him only an outside chance.