James Bond 25: There’s a NEW favourite to replace Danny Boyle as director

The upcoming film was thrown into chaos last month when Boyle bowed out over “creative differences”, allegedly stemming from Barbara Broccoli’s plan to kill off Daniel Craig’s incarnation of 007.

Whilst news on who will replace him has not been announced yet, speculation has continued to come thick and fast – especially after a report yesterday claimed three names are now in the frame.

Variety suggested that Bart Layton, SJ Clarkson and Yann Demange are having meetings with bosses with the hope of getting the job.

Clarkson in particular has seen a surge of support from punters, according to bookmakers Ladbrokes, but it’s David Mackenzie who is the new favourite.

Mackenzie’s works include Hell or High Water, the Jeff Bridges and Chris Pine-starring Western crime thriller, nominated four times at the Academy Awards – including for Best Picture.

His odds are now 7/2, ahead of Nolan on 4/1 – making him the one to beat.

Clarkson – who would become the first ever female director of a James Bond movie if she were to be successful – has raced up the betting to 5/1, having not even been in the market at all until very recently.

Despite Mackenzie having the shortest odds, a spokesperson for Ladbrokes claimed most of the speculation is on Clarkson.

“There’s plenty of talk around who’ll direct the next Bond film, but the latest odds suggest the name’s Clarkson – SJ Clarkson,” Alex Apati said.

Behind her, Layton, Demange and Denis Villeneuve are all on 6/1, with Edgar Wright on 7/1 and Sam Mendes on 8/1.

The Coen Brothers can be backed on 8/1 as well, while Martin McDonagh is on 10/1, Steve McQueen is on 12/1 and Guy Ritchie is on 16/1.

As it stands, the as-yet-untitled film is still scheduled for release in late 2019, with production slated to begin at the end of this year.

This is expected to be Craig’s final film as James Bond, but reports have recently alleged that Broccoli is considering keeping the door open for him to come back once again.

The actor is keeping busy away from the franchise, too: he’s signed up to star in a new project from Star Wars: The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson.

A noted murder mystery fan, Johnson is trying his hand at the genre before he gets to work on his own new trilogy for Lucasfilm.

James Bond 25 remains scheduled for release in late 2019.