Star Wars’ Rian Johnson casts James Bond star Daniel Craig in new movie ahead of trilogy

Johnson helmed last year’s The Last Jedi for Lucasfilm and is poised to launch his own trilogy with the company.

Before that, however, he’ll be working with Craig on Knives Out; a contemporary murder mystery.

Deadline reports that it’s a classic whodunnit style movie, giving Johnson license to exercise that unique style he showcased in Brick and Looper.

Craig was allegedly hired for the project late last year, hoping to film it before working on James Bond 25.

With Danny Boyle quitting the upcoming 007 movie, it seems Bond 25 might be delayed in any case.

“I have been a huge fan and always wanted to work with him and as I worked on the script, trying to get it right, Ram and I were wringing our hands over who could be the detective,” Johnson is quoted as saying.

“Then, serendipitously, we heard Daniel might have a small window, and it worked out.

“He’s an actor of extraordinary range, and we are looking forward to the fun of finding that modern detective, and collaborating with Daniel on creating a new Poirot.”

Johnson has also recently shut down rumours online that his new Star Wars trilogy has been cannned.

The director tweeted a fan to reply affirmatively to questions on whether or not the movies remain in the pipeline despite some fan unhappiness with The Last Jedi.

Craig, meanwhile, has recently become a father for the second time – after Rachel Weisz gave birth to their first child together.

Amid reports that James Bond 25 could be delayed, series producer Barbara Broccoli is rumoured to be reconsidering plans to kill off Craig’s incarnation of the secret agent – something that allegedly contributed massively to Boyle’s decision to leave.

“Daniel now has a huge [behind the scenes] role on the film along with Barbara, and she doesn’t want to kill his character off completely,” a James Bond source told the Mirror.

“She thinks Daniel could be encouraged to come back for another film.

“And since Danny quit as director, Barbara has taken on a new motto: When in doubt, go back to the original Fleming material.

“So that is what they are doing now after the chaos.”