March 15, 2013 10:41

Danny Boyle on directing next Bond film: 'It's not for me'

'Trainspotting' director says making such a 'huge' movie wouldn't suit him

Danny Boyle has revealed he has no desire ever to direct a Bond film.

Earlier this month (March), Skyfall director Sam Mendes revealed he was asked to return for the next Bond film by producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, but decided to turn them down. "I have theatre and other commitments… that need my complete focus over the next year and beyond," he explained.

Boyle, who helmed Slumdog Millionaire and Trainspotting as well as serving as artistic director for the London 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony, has been mooted as a possible successor. However, when asked by Cinema Blend whether he could replace Mendes in the director's chair, Boyle replied: "It's not for me, I'm afraid."

Continuing, Boyle explained: "Because of the Bond thing in the Olympics, I visited the [Skyfall] set a few times and saw Sam, Barbara Broccoli, Michael Wilson and Daniel Craig and everybody. They’re different kinds of films, you know? They’re huge. They’re just huge. They wouldn’t get the best out of me, doing that sort of thing."

Although Mendes won't be returning, Daniel Craig is contracted for at least two more Bond movies and Skyfall writer John Logan has been hired to pen the next two scripts. The follow-up to Skyfall is expected in 2014.

Boyle's next film, a thriller called Trance starring James McAvoy, arrives in UK cinemas on March 27. Scroll down and click 'play' to watch the trailer. Meanwhile, Boyle has recently confimed he is working on a sequel to Trainspotting and aiming to have it ready for a 2016 release.