Danny Boyle is the Next James Bond Director

The Oscar-winning filmmaker behind ‘Trainspotting’ and ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ has confirmed involvement.

Last month, we heard that Danny Boyle was the frontrunner to direct the next James Bond movie — the final installment starring Daniel Craig in the role — and now it’s apparently official. Boyle personally confirmed to Metro New York last night that he’s involved in the movie, so far still just known as “Bond 25.” He said:

“We are working on a script right now. And it all depends on that really. I am working on a Richard Curtis script at the moment. We hope to start shooting that in 6 or 7 weeks. Then Bond would be right at the end of the year. But we are working on them both right now.”

The Richard Curtis script he referred to is a musical comedy that we heard about just two weeks ago. At the time, the project seemed to potentially clash with any plans Boyle might have with 007. Apparently not, as the Oscar-winning director is working overtime by working on two things at once.

For the Bond script, Boyle revealed that he’s working again with John Hodge. Their past collaborations include Trainspotting, for which he received an Oscar nomination, Shallow Grave, A Life Less Ordinary, The Beach, Alien Love Triangle, Trance, and last year’s sequel T2 Trainspotting. About the script, Boyle added:

“We’ve got an idea, John Hodge, the screenwriter, and I have got this idea, and John is writing it at the moment. And it all depends on how it turns out. It would be foolish of me to give any of it away.”

Boyle does say that “it all depends” on the script, as if he wouldn’t direct the Bond movie if that doesn’t go well. Perhaps he’s not officially signed on to helm the movie, but at least we know for sure that MGM and Eon are pretty much planning on it. But first, he seems to be directing the Curtis collaboration.

While we wait to find out how Boyle and Hodge do and if the former does indeed wind up at the helm when production begins, as is currently the implication, watch Boyle’s short Bond film for the 2012 Summer Olympics if you haven’t already and check out our ranking of the Bond movie directors who have come before him.

Related Topics: Danny Boyle, James Bond

Christopher Campbell began writing film criticism and covering film festivals for a zine called Read, back when a zine could actually get you Sundance press credentials. He's now a Senior Editor at FSR and the founding editor of our sister site Nonfics. He also regularly contributes to Fandango and Rotten Tomatoes and is the President of the Critics Choice Association's Documentary Branch.