He sensationally abandoned the James Bond 25 project last week over ‘creative differences’.
And it’s being reported that director Danny Boyle’s specific issue with the proposed plot for the latest film was that writers wanted to kill off 007 and have him ‘regenerate’ for James Bond 26, a la Doctor Who, as Daniel Craig finally bids goodbye to the franchise.
The Sun reports that, according to an insider: ‘There were discussions about killing off Bond in dramatic fashion at the end.
I quit! Danny Boyle’s specific issue with the proposed plot for the latest James Bond film was that writers wanted to kill off 007 and have him ‘regenerate’ for James Bond 26, a la Doctor Who, it’s been reported
‘It would also leave it open for a twist in the next instalment — either Bond hadn’t died or there could be a Doctor Who-esque regeneration with a new actor.
‘There were clashes over budget and there’s pandemonium among crew with people leaving the production left, right and centre.’
The decision to kill Bond – something that has never been done thus far in the film series, despite many a near miss – is said to be the idea of long-serving producer Barbara Broccoli, who wants a ‘pure gold spectacular finale’.
But Boyle, 61, was allegedly dead set against the idea.
David Mackenzie, Matthew Vaughn, Joe Wright and Yann Demange are said to be lining up in a bid to take over as director.
Gone Bond: Daniel Craig finally bids goodbye to the franchise – but will his 007 meet a sticky end?
The North American release date for the upcoming James Bond movie – tentatively slated for November 8, 2019 – remains up in the air following Boyle’s exodus from the project over creative differences earlier this week.
Sources told The Hollywood Reporter the movie will not hits its original release date, and could be pushed back until the following year.
The film will be distributed in the states by MGM, and overseas by Universal; in the U.K., its release date is slated for October 25, 2019, the publication reported.
In a separate report, insiders told Deadline indicated that the film remains on track to hit theaters November 8, citing contrary information as ‘wishful thinking by rival distributors.’
Last hurrah: The upcoming film will be Daniel Craig’s last in the iconic role
The date might remain intact assuming a new director is hired within the next two months. Producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, according to the outlet, have yet to declare which direction they will be moving in.
Filmmakers who could step in to replace Boyle include Dallas Buyers Club’s Jean-Marc Vallee, Baby Driver’s Edgar Wright, Hell or High Water’s David Mackenzie and White Boy Rick’ Yann Demange, the outlet reported.
Boyle, who was slated to commence production in four months, departed over creative differences. He had been collaborating with screenwriter John Hodge on the script for the movie.
The month in question will be a big one in cinemas, with Wonder Woman 1984 due to debut November 1.