Next Bond director: Christopher Nolan ousted as tip to helm new 007 film by surprise frontrunner
Edward Berger is sitting as the new frontrunner to direct James Bond
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Ever since Christopher Nolan left a number of James Bond fans fearing for the future of the franchise after he ruled himself out of helming the next film, there has been ongoing speculation as to who will direct the next film.
Rumours of Nolan's supposed involvement in Bond 26 had been rife for a number of months since he broke box office records with the Cillian Murphy-led movie Oppenheimer.
It was reported that Barbara Broccoli and the rest of the team at Eon Productions had identified Nolan as their number one target to lead the next few films in the franchise.
However, since the Interstellar director shut down the rumours of his involvement, a new frontrunner has come to light in the form of All Quiet on the Western Front director Edward Berger.
According to gambling.com, the German-born filmmaker has emerged as the new 8/11 favourite with the bookies to direct the next Bond movie.
Film critic Jeff Sneider has reported that Berger is emerging as a frontrunner for the helm of the next Bond film, with the 54-year-old allegedly "definitely had discussions, maybe not official meetings, with Barbara Broccoli" about the job.
Aaron is the frontrunner to become the next James Bond
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However, Berger is said to have strong competition from two other candidates, who have both joined the market.
Whilst Berger's odds sit at 8/11, David Michod - known for War Machine - sits at evens, Kelly Marcel - Venom and Cruella - stands at 6/4, leaving Nolan to still sit on the list with odds of 2/1.
On the other end of the spectrum, Sam Taylor-Johnson sits at 6/1 of directing the newest film after her husband Aaron Taylor-Johnson is the current frontrunner to take over the role of James Bond.
Gareth Edwards - Godzilla and Star Wars: The Last Jedi - has odds of 8/1, leaving Greta Gerwig - Barbie and Little Women - to sit at the bottom of the list with odds of 10/1.
Sydney Sweeney is also in the running to become the next Bond Girl
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Last year, Nolan shut down any notion that he could be taking on the challenge and said: "No. Sadly no truth to those rumours. But I’m very thrilled the (SAG-AFTRA) strike is over and we can all get back to work."
Fans were left disappointed that Nolan wouldn't be directing the next film, as one penned: "Damn.... would have been a good one to see! Some day perhaps! Do you Nolan!"
"Christopher Nolan not doing the next James Bond film? File under; Oh what could've been," a second echoed before a third added: "He won't do this, the producers have basically said the next bond will be a woke bond for the audience of today."
Another similarly shared their fears and said: "If I see James Bond go woke cinema is officially dead."
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Greta is the least likely to become the next Bond director
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Whilst the race for the next Bond and director is on, there is always a race as to who will be the next Bond girl, with Irish actress Nicola Coughlan finding herself soaring up the odds to rival the frontrunner spot.
Gambling.com betting expert, James Leyfield, said of the next Bond girl market: "Sydney Sweeney has been in contention for a while, but the star's price has now been cut by the bookies to 6/4.
"She has been racking up film credits in recent years, including the Marvel movie Madame Web and romantic-comedy Anyone but You, and it wouldn't be a surprise if she added the next Bond movie to her ever-growing career.
"Another star whose career continues to go from strength to strength is Nicola Coughlan."