Next James Bond movie plunged into turmoil as director quits

ONLY 14 months before it’s due for release, production of Daniel Craig’s final James Bond film has turned to chaos — and “creative differences” are to blame.

DANIEL Craig’s last outing as 007 has been plunged into turmoil as the team behind the 25th James Bond movie announced that Oscar-winning British director Danny Boyle was quitting the project.

Boyle, a longtime fan who included Craig’s Bond in the opening ceremony he directed for the 2012 London Olympics, was reportedly just beginning the casting process for the movie, slated for release at the end of next year.

“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,” the site said, referencing the producers and star of the long-running British spy movie franchise.

It was not immediately clear whether Boyle’s exit would delay the production, with filming at Pinewood Studios, west of London, expected to begin in December.

Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle has walked from the film, which was due to start shooting in December. Picture: AFP

There was no announcement on Boyle’s replacement, but the producers were said to be interested in admired Scottish director David Mackenzie (Hell or High Water) and Denis Villeneuve (Blade Runner 2049) before the Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire director was hired.

The film is due for release on October 25 next year.

Boyle, 61, who won an Academy Award in 2009 for Slumdog Millionaire, was due to partner again with screenwriter John Hodge on the new movie.

Boyle, who also directed 2015’s Steve Jobs and 28 Days Later in 2002, had previously said he was working on “a great idea” for a James Bond script but was unsure if it would be made.

Craig is set to make his fifth appearance as the legendary British spy in the 25th, as yet untitled film in the storied 007 franchise.

It will be Daniel Craig’s final outing as Bond. Picture: AFP

“What this means for the future of the Bond movies is unclear — obviously Wilson and Broccoli will move to find a new director,” said James White, a film writer for British entertainment magazine Empire.

“And we’d imagine that Hodge’s script will either be dropped or rewritten (unless the producers decide it makes more sense to try and keep it), but the bigger question is whether Daniel Craig will stay aboard.” The movie is expected to be Craig’s last time playing the spy, having previously starred in Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre.

The internet has been buzzing for months about the possibility of British actor Idris Elba taking over the role.

Could Idris Elba be the first black Bond? Picture: AFP

The son of West African immigrants fuelled speculation earlier in August that he could be named the first black James Bond, with a cryptic tweet.

“My name’s Elba, Idris Elba,” he tweeted, echoing the super spy’s famous catchline, “The name is Bond, James Bond.” Elba, 45, made his name in gritty US television drugs drama The Wire and won a Golden Globe for his role as a murder detective in Luther, before moving to the big screen.

Fresh rumours emerged two weeks ago amid reports that Broccoli said it was now “time” for a black actor to take the role.

Boyle’s departure was a rare shock in Hollywood, where big departures on prestige studio projects are often preceded by months of speculation and rumour.

“Barbara Broccoli and Daniel Craig thought ‘Bond 25’ should be good, and Danny Boyle thought that ‘Bond 25’ should be bad,” said IndieWire senior film critic David Ehrlich.

“They were never going to see eye-to-eye on this.”