James Bond Ruled Out of Danny Boyle’s Sights as Director Focuses on New Film
In a recent update, it has been confirmed that Danny Boyle will not be directing a James Bond film, despite initial reports suggesting he was in line for the project. The Radio Times understands that Boyle had been working on a script for the 25th Bond film alongside his long-time collaborator John Hodge, but ultimately left the project in August 2018.
According to sources, Boyle’s vision for the film would have revolved around a Russian villain and still included the death of Bond, as seen in the final version of No Time to Die. However, with Cary Joji Fukunaga stepping in to direct, Boyle has seemingly moved on to focus on his latest project, 28 Years Later. The film, which is Boyle’s first since 2019’s Yesterday, sees him re-team with 28 Days Later screenwriter Alex Garland.
The new film boasts an impressive cast, including Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, and rumoured contender to be the next Bond, Aaron Taylor-Johnson. When speaking about his decision to leave the Bond project, Boyle expressed regret that "the script was really good", adding that "John Hodge is a wonderful writer".
In related news, development on Bond 26 has begun in earnest, with producers David Heyman and Amy Pascal working on the film together in London. At CinemaCon, Amazon MGM’s head of film, streaming and theatrical Courtenay Valenti confirmed that the pair are committed to "honouring the legacy of this iconic character, while bringing a fresh, exhilarating new chapter to audiences around the world".
Valenti went on to praise the partnership between Heyman and Pascal, stating: "They are both in London getting started and couldn’t be here tonight, but we wanted to thank them for what we know will be an incredible partnership. Thank you, Amy and David!"
As for Boyle’s upcoming film, 28 Years Later is set to hit UK cinemas on June 19th, 2025. Fans of the franchise can rest assured that work on Bond 26 is underway, with a new chapter in the iconic series expected to be released in the near future.
The recent announcement regarding Boyle’s new film has sparked excitement among fans, who have been eagerly awaiting his return to the big screen. As confirmed by the Radio Times, 28 Years Later promises to be an exciting new project from the acclaimed director.
Meanwhile, James Bond fans will be keeping a close eye on developments surrounding Bond 26. For now, they can look forward to 28 Years Later, which is sure to be a thrilling ride.
