Renowned director Danny Boyle has identified his top choice to take over the mantle of 007. Speaking at the Zurich Film Festival on September 30, 2026, Boyle offered a direct endorsement for Jack O’Connell, an actor with whom he has developed a close creative partnership over the last two years.
“They should cast Jack O’Connell as Bond,” Boyle stated during a presentation for his upcoming film Ink. The director’s recommendation comes as the industry waits for an official announcement regarding the next James Bond, with producer Amy Pascal reportedly indicating that the new lead will be unveiled by the end of 2026.
The professional relationship between Boyle and O’Connell has solidified through the revival of the 28 Days Later universe. O’Connell recently starred as Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, which debuted in January 2026. The pair is also preparing for the theatrical release of Danny Boyle’s newest project, Ink, scheduled for December 11, 2026, followed by a Netflix release on January 8, 2027.
While Boyle was originally attached to direct the 25th Bond film, No Time to Die, he famously departed the project in August 2018 due to creative differences. The next chapter of the franchise, Bond 26, is currently moving forward under the direction of Denis Villeneuve, with a script from Steven Knight. Despite his previous exit from the series, Boyle’s public advocacy for O’Connell places the actor in a spotlight currently shared by other rumored contenders such as Jack Lowden, Callum Turner, and Jacob Elordi.
Beyond his casting preferences, Boyle provided updates on the future of his horror franchise. He confirmed that a script for the third installment of the 28 Years Later trilogy has been completed by Alex Garland. Boyle also verified that Cillian Murphy is set to return for a significant role in the upcoming third film, following through on the narrative threads established in the recent sequels.
