Oscar-winning filmmaker Danny Boyle is the frontrunner to direct the next film in the James Bond franchise, casually known as BOND 25, an agency source has told the Tracking Board.

Daniel Craig is set to return as 007 in the new movie, which is slated for release on Nov. 8, 2019.

The Bond franchise was previously in the hands of another Brit, Sam Mendes, so it makes sense that Eon and MGM would pursue Boyle, who had been eyed for the gig several times before. He even directed Craig as Bond in an elaborate bit for the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

While Boyle doesn’t have a formal offer yet, his schedule would allow for a production on the scale of Bond 25, as the filmmaker has already wrapped his next project, the FX series Trust, which bows in March. He had been developing a project with Working Title, but it hasn’t even started casting yet, and could easily be delayed for this kind of opportunity. The question is, would Boyle take it.

The director previously told Collider that he’d turn down the chance to direct a Bond movie, saying:

They’re not really for me. The budgets are too big. I’m better working at a lower level of money really because I like that discipline of not having enough money to pull off whatever it is you want to pull off. So I wouldn’t be the best person to do those. No. And anyway, I’ve made a Bond film with a great stellar cast (referring to London 2012 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony: Isles of Wonder, in which James Bond (Daniel Craig) escorts Queen Elizabeth to the Opening Ceremony).

According to agency sources, ever since MGM pacted with Annapurna for theatrical distribution last October, the studio has been keen to hire a name director to replace Mendes, which is why the conversation surrounding up-and-comer Yann Demange (White Boy Rick) has cooled. While Boyle’s name is now at the top of the list, other veterans remain in the mix. Personally, I think Boyle would be a great choice to help Craig’s Bond go out with a bang. Here’s hoping the two sides can work out a deal.

Boyle won an Oscar for directing Slumdog Millionaire, which also won Best Picture. His other credits include 28 Days Later, 127 Hours, Trainspotting and Shallow Grave. He’s represented by WME, and his candidacy for the highly-coveted Bond gig was first reported by Variety.

Jeff Sneider | Editor in Chief