Danny Boyle Backs Jack O'Connell as Next James Bond, Shares '28 Years Later' Part 3 Update

Danny Boyle has revealed the actor he believes should become the next James Bond. The filmmaker, who was previously set to direct 'No Time to Die', also offered a major update on the future of his acclaimed '28 Years Later' franchise.

Speaking at the Zurich Film Festival, where he was promoting his new film 'Ink', Boyle backed actor Jack O'Connell for the coveted role of 007. The endorsement comes as the search for Daniel Craig's successor continues, with director Denis Villeneuve attached to the next Bond film but the new lead actor yet to be officially announced.

Danny Boyle Wants Jack O'Connell as James Bond

Boyle was unequivocal when asked about the ongoing Bond speculation. 'They should cast Jack O'Connell as Bond,' the 'Trainspotting' director said.

O'Connell has worked with Boyle on multiple projects, including '28 Years Later' and 'Ink', the latter of which premiered at the Venice Film Festival before its Zurich presentation. The filmmaker praised O'Connell's ability to play complicated characters, pointing specifically to his performance as Blake Fielder-Civil in the 2024 Amy Winehouse biopic 'Back to Black'. Boyle said the actor had demonstrated an ability to make morally difficult characters compelling rather than simply unlikeable.

O'Connell, 36, has increasingly been mentioned in conversations about the next Bond, although he is not currently confirmed as the studio's choice. Other actors linked to the role include Jacob Elordi, Paul Mescal, Jack Lowden and Callum Turner.

Boyle's support carries particular interest because he was once attached to direct Craig's final Bond film, 'No Time to Die'. He ultimately left the project after creative differences with producers, with Cary Joji Fukunaga later taking over as director. Boyle also expressed confidence in Villeneuve, who is now overseeing the next chapter of the franchise, praising the filmmaker as 'amazing'.

'28 Years Later Part 3' Will Happen

While Boyle's Bond comments generated headlines, the director also provided encouraging news for fans of his zombie franchise. He confirmed that a third '28 Years Later' movie will move forward, although he admitted that he does not yet know exactly when production will begin.

'28 Years 3, or whatever it ends up being called, will get made because people keep asking about it,' Boyle said. 'Quite when I'm not sure, but there's a script – a very good script by Alex Garland.'

Garland, who wrote the original '28 Days Later' with Boyle and returned as writer for '28 Years Later', has already developed the screenplay for the third instalment. However, the biggest revelation concerns Cillian Murphy. Boyle indicated that Murphy will have a substantial presence in the next movie.

'It will have a lot of Cillian Murphy in it,' Boyle said, while joking about whether the Oscar-winning actor would be willing to repeat the physical transformation seen in the original '28 Days Later'. Murphy returned to the franchise in '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple', reprising his role as Jim from the original 2002 film.

The Future of the Franchise

A third film had already been moving forward at Sony, with Garland writing and Murphy previously reported to be in talks to return. The first two '28 Years Later' films were developed as part of a planned trilogy, with the first two movies shot back-to-back.

Boyle has previously expressed interest in directing the third film, although his latest comments do not confirm that he will ultimately return behind the camera. For now, the filmmaker is balancing several major franchises and original projects. His endorsement of O'Connell gives Bond fans another name to consider, while his latest comments suggest that the '28 Years Later' story is far from finished.

With a Garland script already written and a major role planned for Murphy, the third film appears to be taking shape even if its production schedule remains uncertain.