Next Bond Director Odds: Edward Berger Emerges As New Frontrunner

Recent James Bond speculation saw Aaron Taylor-Johnson heavily tipped to replace Daniel Craig as the suave spy, but Bond bosses are yet to confirm who will be the new 007.

And the same goes for who might direct the next film in the iconic franchise.

In the past three years, following Craig's final outing as the fictional MI6 agent in 2021's No Time To Die, there has been plenty of speculation on UK betting sites about who could helm the 26th Bond movie.

Cary Joji Fukunaga directed last time out, and Christopher Nolan has been heavily mentioned since, but the market has moved dramatically this week - with three new names in the running.

Next Bond Director Odds

All Quiet On The Bond Front

German-born filmmaker Edward Berger has emerged as the new 8/11 favourite on specials betting sites to direct the next Bond movie.

He comes into the conversation in good form after helming 2022 motion picture All Quiet on the Western Front.

The World War I epic received nine Academy Award nominations and won four gongs, for Best International Feature Film, Best Original Score, Best Production Design and Best Cinematography.

Film critic Jeff Sneider has reported that Berger is emerging as a frontrunner for helm the next Bond film, and according to film website World of Reel, Berger has "definitely had discussions, maybe not official meetings, with producer Barbara Broccoli" about the job.

However, Berger is said to have strong competition from two other candidates, who have both joined the market.

According to Sneider, Animal Kingdom director David Michod, who is Evens to direct the next Bond movie, and Venom: The Last Dance helmer Kelly Marcel (6/4) could also be in contention.

Should Marcel land the coveted job then she would become the first-ever woman to direct a Bond film.

Nolan Drifts

In March, Nolan was the 4/6 favourite on betting apps to direct the suave spy next, but he has drifted to 2/1 fourth favourite.

Oppenheimer director Nolan is said to have held talks with Broccoli over the position, and he fuelled such speculation last year.

During an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Nolan admitted he "loves" Bond films, and said it would be an "amazing privilege" to be behind the camera for one.

He explained: "The influence of those movies in my filmography is embarrassingly apparent. There’s no attempt to shy away from that. It would be an amazing privilege to do one."

Nolan is clearly at the top of his game at the moment, and he had a fantastic start to 2024 after biographical thriller Oppenheimer won him Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Picture.

He's also no stranger to a franchise, after directing The Dark Knight trilogy from 2005 to 2012, in which Christian Bale starred as Bruce Wayne/Batman.

If he was keen to head back to a franchise film, then what better than Bond to make such a comeback.

However, if he did reject an approach from Bond bosses Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, they might try to find another gentleman to take on the job, with British filmmaker Guy Ritchie 5/2 fifth favourite.

Ritchie is no stranger to speculation about the 007 franchise, after he was rumoured to be in the frame to replace director Sam Mendes - whose last Bond movie was Spectre - in 2015.

Waller-Bridge To Pip Marcel To First Female Director Honour?

But if it's not The Gentlemen creator, then how about a first female Bond director?

If third favourite Marcel misses out, then the honour could go to Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

The Fleabag creator is clearly liked by Broccoli and Wilson after she was hired to co-write the No Time To Die script.

She also knows a thing or two about spy productions, after penning the first series of BBC thriller Killing Eve, which featured Jodie Comer as psychopathic and skilled assassin Villanelle.

Waller-Bridge is 3/1 with new betting sites to be the next Bond director, and if she does land the role it could pave the way for a reunion with Jodie Comer, who is among the favourites to be the next female lead in a Bond movie.

Last year, the Mail on Sunday reported Waller-Bridge was in "early discussions" with Broccoli about steering the next Bond film.

A source told the publication the time: "Daniel Craig brought Phoebe in to work on No Time To Die, and she added humour and pathos to the film. Everyone adored working with her.

"It's very early days, but Barbara has been quite open about saying Phoebe would be her first choice to direct and co-write the next film."

What's more, if Taylor-Johnson does land the role as the next 007, then his wife, director Sam Taylor-Johnson, could even become the first female filmmaker of a Bond movie.

She is 6/1 to do so, while other contenders for the job include Dune director Denis Villeneuve (4/1), Kingsman director Matthew Vaughn (5/1), and 7/1 chance Martin Campbell, if you want to use any free bets for him to complete a Bond hat-trick.

He helmed Craig's 007 debut in 2006's Casino Royale, and his predecessor Pierce Brosnan's first Bond movie GoldenEye in 1995.

In 2021, Campbell admitted he would be up for securing his Bond hat-trick, telling Collider he would "certainly consider it".