Director puts an end to James Bond speculation

DIRECTOR Christopher Nolan has shot down rumours that he will direct the next James Bond film.

The 47-year-old – whose films include The Dark Knight trilogy, Memento, Insomnia, The Prestige, Inception and Interstellar – was one of the names mentioned following news that current helmsman Sam Mendes would not be returning.

Nolan, whose war epic Dunkirk has earned him best director and best film nominations at Sunday’s EE British Academy Film awards, told BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs he “categorically” will not be directing next year’s instalment in the franchise currently entitled Bond 25.

Host Kirsty Young posed the question after the director chose a score penned by John Barry for 1969’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service as one of his eight records.

He told Young: “I won’t be the man (to direct the next Bond). No, categorically.

“I think every time they hire a new director I’m rumoured to be doing it. I’d love to make a Bond film at some point and I think those producers – Barbara and Michael [Broccoli and G Wilson] – they do a tremendous job and Sam Mendes has done a terrific job the last couple of films, so they don’t particularly need me.

“But I’ve always been inspired by the films and would love to do one someday”.

Desert Island Discs is on BBC Radio 4 today at 11.15am.