Next Bond Director Odds: Guy Ritchie Taking On Favourite Christopher Nolan
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The latest James Bond speculation has seen Aaron Taylor-Johnson heavily tipped to replace Daniel Craig as the suave spy, but who will direct the next film in the franchise?
After a couple of years of speculation, it seems we could be close to officially finding out a bit more about the next Bond film in the coming months, or even weeks.
UK betting sites have been busy speculating who could helm the 26th Bond movie, three years after Craig's final outing as the fictional MI6 agent in 2021's No Time To Die.
Cary Joji Fukunaga directed on that occasion, but there is one filmmaker whose name just won't go away when talk of the next motion picture arises - and he clearly wants a crack at directing 007.
Nolan Fuels Bond Flames
Christopher Nolan is the 4/6 favourite on specials betting sites to helm the next Bond movie, after the Oppenheimer director fuelled the speculation last year.
During an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Nolan admitted he "loves" Bond films, and said it would be an "amazing privilege" to be behind the camera for one.
He explained: "The influence of those movies in my filmography is embarrassingly apparent. There’s no attempt to shy away from that. It would be an amazing privilege to do one."
Nolan is clearly at the top of his game at the moment, and he's had a fantastic start to 2024 after the biographical thriller Oppenheimer, won him Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Picture.
He's also no stranger to a franchise, after directing The Dark Knight trilogy from 2005 to 2012, in which Christian Bale starred as Bruce Wayne/Batman.
If he was keen to head back to a franchise film, then what better than Bond to make such a comeback.
However, if he did reject an approach from Bond bosses Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, they would have to find another person to take on the job.
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Refund or free bet when one selection in an accumulator lets the bet down
Gentleman Guy In The Frame
British filmmaker Guy Ritchie is a name at the forefront of viewers' minds following the release of his Netflix show The Gentlemen, and he has emerged as a 6/4 second favourite on betting apps to helm the next Bond movie.
Ritchie is no stranger to speculation about the 007 franchise, after he was rumoured to be in the frame to replace director Sam Mendes - whose last Bond movie was Spectre - in 2015.
A source told the Daily Mirror at the time: "Guy has had a run of box office successes but it was The Man From U.N.C.L.E that really caught the Bond producers’ eye."
We now know Fukunaga went on to land the job, after director Danny Boyle dropped out in 2018 due to "creative differences " with Wilson and Broccoli.
But with recent whispers Bond bosses have been impressed with The Gentlemen, Ritchie looks to be one of the worthy frontrunners for the position.
Waller-Bridge To Be First Female Bond Director?
If Bond's bosses really want to bring the franchise into the 21st century then appointing Phoebe Waller-Bridge as the first-ever female director of a Bond film could be a smart move.
The Fleabag creator is clearly liked by Broccoli and Wilson after she was hired to co-write the No Time To Die script.
She also knows a thing or two about spy productions, after penning the first series of BBC thriller Killing Eve, which featured Jodie Comer as psychopathic and skilled assassin Villanelle.
Waller-Bridge is 2/1 third favourite with new betting sites to be the next Bond director, and if she does land the role it could pave the way for a reunion with Comer, who is favourite to be the next female lead in a Bond movie.
Last April, the Mail on Sunday reported Waller-Bridge was in "early discussions" with Broccoli about helming the next Bond film.
A source told the publication the time: "Daniel Craig brought Phoebe in to work on No Time To Die, and she added humour and pathos to the film. Everyone adored working with her.
"It's very early days, but Barbara has been quite open about saying Phoebe would be her first choice to direct and co-write the next film."
Last summer, Waller-Bridge joked the "obvious leap" in her directing career would be Bond, because the only thing she's helmed is a music video, but far stranger things have happened in the movies.
Taylor-Johnson Double Act For Next Bond Movie?
Should Nolan, Ritchie and Waller-Bridge miss out or reject the chance to direct the film, then Bond bosses couldn't go too far wrong with Dune director Denis Villeneuve (3/1), or Kingsman helmer Matthew Vaughn (4/1).
However, should Taylor-Johnson become the next 007 - who will need some sort of resurrection in the next movie after sacrificing himself in No Time To Die - then he could push for his own wife Sam Taylor-Johnson to direct him.
The British director and artist is 6/1 to secure the job, while 7/1 chance Martin Campbell could land a hat-trick of 007 debutant directions if he gets the nod again.
He helmed Craig's Bond debut in 2006's Casino Royale, and his predecessor Pierce Brosnan's first Bond movie GoldenEye in 1995.
In 2021, Campbell admitted he would be up for securing his Bond hat-trick. He told Collider: "I would certainly consider it. I enjoy doing Bond.
"And also, the two producers are great to work with. They support you all the way. It's an enjoyable experience."
* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.
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