American filmmaker Cary Joji Fukunaga has replaced Danny Boyle as director of the next James Bond film.
“Bond 25” — what appears to be the working title for the 25th film in the spy series — will begin filming at Pinewood Studios on March 4 under the auspices of Fukunaga, producers Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli and the franchise’s star, Daniel Craig, announced Thursday.
The film, Craig’s fifth and likely final go-around as the British super-spy, also had its worldwide release date pushed back to Feb. 14, 2020.
“We are delighted to be working with Cary. His versatility and innovation make him an excellent choice for our next James Bond adventure,” Wilson and Broccoli said through the official 007 Twitter account.
Fukunaga, whose ascent is relatively new, is the first American filmmaker to helm the traditionally British franchise. The Oakland native rose to fame in 2014 with the phenomenal success of “True Detective.” He directed and produced the debut season of HBO’s mystery series, which earned him a Primetime Emmy Award.
He also wrote and directed 2015’s “Beasts of No Nation,” the gut-wrenching war drama starring Idris Elba, for Netflix and helmed the streamer’s upcoming miniseries “Maniac.”
His other credits include 2009’s “Sin Nombre,” 2011’s “Jane Eyre” and the 2018 series “The Alienist.”
Boyle, of “Slumdog Millionaire” fame, left “Bond 25” in August “due to creative differences.” The move derailed the production’s December start date as well as the original November 2019 release.
Several other directors, including Denis Villeneuve, Jean-Marc Vallee, Yann Demange, David Mackenzie and Edgar Wright, were reportedly considered.
