At the Zurich Film Festival, Danny Boyle made his pitch for the next 007: Jack O'Connell. The 28 Years Later director, who was once attached to direct Bond 25 before it became No Time To Die, believes O'Connell has the range to carry the spy franchise. Boyle highlighted O'Connell's performance in the 2024 film Ink, where he plays Larry Lamb, a British tabloid editor, describing how the actor makes audiences remain invested in a character whose moral conscience dissolves entirely as he pursues success.
Boyle's endorsement carries weight given his experience with Bond films. He drew comparisons between O'Connell's work in Ink and Al Pacino's performance in The Godfather Part II, suggesting the actor possesses the complexity needed for the iconic role. The director also referenced O'Connell's recent work in the Amy Winehouse biopic Back To Black, calling it "an incredible performance" in "an impossible part."
The casting search for the next James Bond has stretched on as Amazon pursues the rights to the franchise. Boyle's public endorsement adds O'Connell's name to a growing list of candidates who have been suggested for the role, which requires an actor capable of handling both the action and the psychological depth the character demands.
During the same festival appearance, Boyle confirmed that the third film in the 28 Years Later trilogy will be made, with a script by Alex Garland already completed, though timing remains uncertain.