Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire filmmaker Danny Boyle is to direct the next James Bond film.

The director had been rumoured to be involved and has previously spoken about working on a script for the movie, which will see the return of Daniel Craig as 007.

EON Productions, makers of the film, confirmed Boyle had signed up, saying that production on the 25th Bond film will start in December.

The film, which has yet to be given a title and is due for release in the UK on 25 October 2019, will be Craig's fifth stint as 007.

We’ve been expecting you… #Bond25, Daniel Craig’s 5th outing as 007, will be directed by Academy Award-winning Danny Boyle from an original screenplay by John Hodge. Production is set to begin on 3 Dec 2018. MGM will partner with Universal Pictures to release the film worldwide pic.twitter.com/h8fVhyYhyY — James Bond (@007) May 25, 2018

Producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said: "We are delighted to announce that the exceptionally talented Danny Boyle will be directing Daniel Craig in his fifth outing as James Bond in the 25th instalment of the franchise.


"We will begin shooting Bond 25 at Pinewood Studios in December with our partners at MGM and thrilled that Universal Pictures will be our international distributor."

Image: The 25th Bond film is expected to be Daniel Craig's final reprisal of the role

Oscar-winning Boyle, who also directed The Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio, already worked with Craig during the opening ceremony at the 2012 Olympics in London.

He will direct the movie from an original screenplay penned by John Hodge, who also worked on Trainspotting.

Boyle previously said of the rumours: "We're working on a script at the moment and we'll see what happens.

"But it's a great idea so hopefully it'll work. I'd love to be able to tell you more but I'm not going to."

Could James Bond be a female?

Craig is likely to make the movie his last one playing the spy. He has previously starred in Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre.

His return surprised many as he said he would rather "slash my wrists" than return to the role.

But he subsequently said he made the remarks two days after he finished shooting Spectre and was feeling exhausted.