James Bond 25: Why ‘year-long delay’ could be GOOD NEWS for Daniel Craig

Craig has agreed to reprise the role of the spy for one more movie, which was expected to start production at the end of 2018.

That’s now looking increasingly in doubt, after Boyle stepped down over “creative differences”.

The Sun has now claimed that the film could be pushed back a year – with insiders claiming it’s good news for Craig’s knee injury.

The actor was seriously hurt on the set of 2015’s Spectre when a stunt went awry, leaving him unable to run.

Now, he’s allegedly been keen to be back on perfect form before playing 007 for the final time.

He had two ACL operations to repair knee ligaments, and now it is thought that the extra year of recovery time will work out much better for him.

In addition to that, there’s also the matter of his newfound parenthood.

Craig’s partner Rachel Weisz has this weekend given birth to their first child; a baby girl.

The Daily Mail reported that the famous couple are “very happy” over the new arrival – the second child for both parents.

Craig has a 26-year-old daughter Ella with ex-wife Fiona London, while Weisz has a 12-year-old son, Henry, with ex-fiance Darren Aronofsky.

The couple married in 2011, with Weisz saying at the time she was “not planning” on having any more children. Earlier this year she called the pregnancy “such a mystery”.

For now there is no confirmation on who will replace Boyle at the helm of the 25th James Bond film in the series, and ostensibly Craig’s last.

Whispers on who will take over the role in the film after that have continued to intensify, however; peaking with renewed interest in Idris Elba earlier this month.

But when he confirmed that he has not had any discussions whatsoever about taking the job, his odds began to drift again – and Tom Hardy has resumed his status as the bookies’ favourite.

James Norton, Tom Hiddleston, Sam Heughan and Jack Huston also remain in the frame.

For now, James Bond 25 has a release date of late 2019.