On Tuesday evening James Bond producers and Craig announced that Boyle had left Bond 25 over “creative differences.”
And now a source has revealed the director’s decision to leave was over whether to cast Tomasz Kot as the Bond villain.
The Polish actor stars in Cold War, which is released later this month, however it’s believed Craig felt his casting was too “left-field”.
Bond 25 was supposed to focus on a “modern-day Cold War” with Russia, while being consciously post-MeToo era.
The insider told the Telegraph: “Craig has a big say in all the casting decisions. None of the Bond girls have been chosen without his say so,
“For example he chose Eva Green to be the Bond girl when it came to the final four for Casino Royale and that has been the case for all the Bond girls he has worked with.
“It was telling the producers put his [Craig’s] name on their release saying that Boyle had been sacked.
“I have heard that they wanted to bring that Cold War element in but update it to the modern day.”
The source added: “Danny Boyle was in for that. That wasn’t the problem. “The problem came in when they were making the final decisions about casting pre-production.”
Allegedly Boyle’s instance on bringing in his own people, including Trainspotting screenwriter John Hodge, “infuriated” Barbara Broccoli.
When the director was recruited, 007 producers were so keen for him they put regular Bond screenwriters Neal Purvis and Robert Wade’s script on hold.
Bookies have since released odds on Boyle’s likely replacement as director.
Christopher Nolan tops most odds with 2/1 or 3/1, however in reality he’s unlikely since he’s made it clear he wants to do a “reinvention” – presumably with a new actor.
Meanwhile David Mackenzie, who directed the Oscar-nominated Hell or High Water, is at 4/1.
Bond 25 is set for an October 2019 release, although a delay into 2020 now looks much more likely.
