It's been reported that the reason why director Danny Boyle quit the James Bond 25 project was because of plans to kill 007 and 'regenerate' him, like Doctor Who.

Boyle sensationally abandoned the film last week, citing 'creative differences' as the cause.

And it's now being claimed that the specific issue was to do with a proposed plot that writers wanted to kill off 007 and have him 'regenerate' for James Bond 26, as Daniel Craig departs the long-running spy franchise.

The Sun reports that, according to an insider: "There were discussions about killing off Bond in dramatic fashion at the end.

Daniel Craig and Barbara Broccoli

"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/regenerate Bond is said to be the idea of long-serving producer Barbara Broccoli. But Boyle wasn't having any of it and quit.

Meanwhile, David Mackenzie, Matthew Vaughn, Joe Wright and Yann Demange are said to be among those lining up in a bid to take Boyle's place as director.