Beasts of No Nation director Fukunaga confirmed to take over from
Danny Boyle on new film starring
Daniel Craig
Danny Boyle’s replacement as director of the 25th
James Bond film has been named as
Cary Fukunaga, best known for helming HBO’s
True Detective.
In a statement released on Thursday, producers confirmed the hire of the Beasts of No Nation film-maker, saying: “We are delighted to be working with Cary. His versatility and innovation make him an excellent choice for our next James Bond adventure.”
Filming will begin in March 2019 for a worldwide release date of February 14, 2020 – just three months later than originally scheduled.
Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli were reported to have met with numerous directors after Boyle dropped out in August over “creative differences”, said to revolve around Boyle’s script with Trainspotting writer John Hodge.
Last week veteran 007 screenwriters Neal Purvis and Robert Wade were confirmed to be back on board for the latest instalment in the franchise.
Filming had been slated to start this November, but after Boyle’s departure, star Daniel Craig signed on to shoot whodunnit film Knives for Star Wars director Rian Johnson this winter.
Amongst names tipped to replace Boyle were Christopher McQuarrie, whose latest Mission: Impossible film won 007 comparisons, Arrival’s Denis Villenueve, White Boy Rick’s Yann Demange and David Mackenzie, the Scottish director of Hell or High Water.
Fukunaga, 41, made his debut with critically acclaimed Sin Nombre in 2009, before directing Michael Fassbender in a 2011 version of Jane Eyre. Beasts of No Nation followed in 2015, picking up a Golden Globe nomination – and SAG award – for star Idris Elba (who, along with Fassbender, had been rumoured to be in the running to take over from Craig).
His latest project, Maniac, is a Netflix series starring Jonah Hill and Emma Stone as participants in a mysterious pharmaceutical trial.
Fukunaga also won much praise for his work directing the first season of HBO’s True Detective.