James Bond 25: Oscar-winning director is new FAVOURITE to replace Danny Boyle – guess who?

The as-yet-untitled film is up in the air after Boyle’s unexpected departure earlier this week, with several names being floated around as potential replacements.

Now, Betfair have received a “flurry of bets” on one person in particular – who has now leapfrogged Christopher Nolan as the frontrunner.

It’s Kathryn Bigelow, the Academy Award-winning maker of The Hurt Locker.

Still the only woman ever to win the Oscar for Best Director, Bigelow is also behind Detroit, Zero Dark Thirty and Point Break.

So could James Bond be her next project?

“We have had a flurry of bets this morning on Kathryn Bigelow to get the biggest directing gig around,” said Betfair spokesperson Katie Baylis.

“We’ve slashed her odds from 4/1 into 2/1 and she’s now the favourite ahead of Christopher Nolan who is at 9/2.

“Sofia Coppola is third in the betting at 7/1, with many fans hoping for the news that Bond will finally be directed by a woman.”

James Gunn, recently axed from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3, is at 7/1 in the betting; ahead of Edgar Wright on 10/1.

David Fincher and Bond regular Sam Mendes also have 10/1 odds, with Guy Ritchie on 14/1 and Joe Wright and John Woo on 16/1.

Quentin Tarantino and Steven Spielberg are on 20/1, with James Cameron on 33/1 and Wes Anderson at 33/1.

Thor: Ragnarok’s Taika Waititi is at 40/1 along with M. Night Shyamalan.

Deadline recently reported that Jean-Marc Vallee was high on producers’ wish-list but he does not seem to currently be registering with punters.

The 007 Twitter account announced Boyle’s departure earlier this week, saying: “Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli and Daniel Craig today announced that due to creative differences Danny Boyle has decided to no longer direct Bond 25.”

It remains unclear whether John Hodge’s script has also been binned, and whether or not the 2019 release date can be adhered to.

It has been claimed that bosses may be able to stick to their deadlines if a new director can be appointed in the next few weeks.