James Bond 25 NEW director: Here are the frontrunners in the race to replace Danny Boyle

Production on the new James Bond film is due to start on December 3 at Pinewood Studios.

The only problem is the film doesn’t have a director anymore after Boyle stepped down over “creative differences.”

So just who will take over?

Well Variety’s sources have revealed three frontrunners among those in meetings with MGM and EON productions.

Allegedly the studios are interested in American Animals director Bart Layton and S J Clarkson, whose career has been mostly in television, but she is set to direct Star Trek 4.

Of course if the latter is chosen she would be the Bond franchise’s first ever female director.

Meanwhile ’71 and White Boy Rick director Yann Demange, who was considered before Boyle signed on, is also a strong contender for the Bond 25 gig.

Layton and Clarkson are yet to have meetings but Demange’s first supposedly went well.

As for why Boyle quit as director in the first place, it’s thought an interview from just before he quit may have revealed the answer.

Speaking with Radio Times, the filmmaker said he’s always been a massive James Bond fan and it’s impossible for a “Bond aficionado” to direct a 007 film.

James Bond 25 is set for release in October 2019, but may be delayed.