It also remains unclear whether Daniel Craig – who has played Bond since 2006's Casino Royale – will return for the new film. Although Craig said in 2015 that he would rather "slash [his] wrists" than make another Bond film, the star has since backtracked on that statement. Last year, he told reporters, "If I were to stop doing it, I would miss it terribly."

Taboo star Tom Hardy, who has been tipped to replace Craig, has said he would like Nolan to take the reins for the franchise. "Chris Nolan – what a fantastic director for a Bond movie," he told IndieWire. "I wonder what the next installment of that franchise would become, and I think when you mention someone like Christopher Nolan, that’s a very powerful figure to bring into that world who could bring something new and create something profound – again."

The Telegraph has approached Christopher Nolan's representatives for comment.