Bond 25 release date likely delayed due to Danny Boyle departure

Filming was expected to commence on the 3 December

The next James Bond movie has been thrown into jeopardy after Danny Boyle parted ways with the project over creative differences.

The producers have been forced to return to the drawing board as they look to scrap Boyle and co-writer John Hodge’s script.

The result is that Eon productions and MGM will most likely have to postpone the movie’s release, which is currently slated for 25 October 2019.

Sources told Variety that the companies are not searching for a director but a writer-director, putting emphasis on screenwriting. Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, the duo behind Skyfall and Spectre, previously submitted a script for Bond 25 – something that the producers are reportedly not keen to return to.

Filming was expected to begin on the 8 December with Boyle at London’s Pinewood Studios. Should the filmmakers not be able to make the date, this could cause havoc for scheduling as secured shooting locations and timings would be lost.

Separate reports have indicated that Boyle departed the project after clashing with Daniel Craig, the movie’s leading star. The Trainspotting director allegedly wanted to cast Polish actor Tomasz Kot as the villain and bring in Cold War story elements.

The Independent has contacted representatives for Boyle, Craig and Eon Productions for comment.