For years, fans have speculated about what Danny Boyle’s version of James Bond might have looked like before he exited the franchise in 2018. Now, the acclaimed director has revealed that he still thinks about the script — particularly seven pages that he says could have changed Bond history.
“I still dream about that script,” Boyle admitted, hinting that one shocking twist from his abandoned vision might one day see daylight.
A Bond Film That Never Was
Boyle had officially signed on to direct what became No Time to Die, teaming up with longtime collaborator John Hodge, the writer behind Trainspotting and The Beach. The duo reportedly crafted a bold take on 007, built around a Russian antagonist and a narrative that fully embraced the end of Daniel Craig’s Bond era — including the character’s death, which Craig had negotiated as part of his contract.
“The script was really good,” Boyle said. “John Hodge is a wonderful writer. I don’t think they appreciated how strong it was.”
But producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson were reportedly hesitant. Creative disagreements escalated, and Boyle stepped away. His departure left behind a script that he still believes held something powerful — especially those now-mythic seven pages.
The Franchise Moves to a New Era — Without Boyle
With Amazon MGM Studios now stepping into creative control of the Bond franchise, many wondered if Boyle might consider returning. His answer was firm:
“That ship has sailed,” he told Business Insider. “Whatever happens with Bond going forward now is what it will be.”
Broccoli and Wilson, who have shaped Bond’s identity for decades, are stepping back — a major shift in the franchise’s history. Yet even with new leadership in place, Boyle doesn’t intend to revisit 007.
A Different Mission: “28 Years Later”
Instead, the Oscar-winning filmmaker is focused on a new trilogy expanding his cult classic 28 Days Later. The first chapter, 28 Years Later, is set to release on June 20, followed by 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple in January 2026. Boyle has even teased a possible return for Cillian Murphy, sparking excitement among long-time fans.
Will the Bond Script Ever Surface?
While Boyle remains detached from the future of 007, his comments have reignited fascination with what could have been — particularly the mysterious sequence he hints at with pride.
“I still think about it,” he said. “There’s a moment in there that I wish people could have seen.”
Whether those pages remain hidden in the vaults or emerge someday as part of a documentary, a book, or even a standalone concept, they now belong to Bond lore — a tantalizing “what if” in the franchise’s long and storied history.
One thing is certain: even without directing a Bond film, Danny Boyle has left his mark. Not through a finished movie — but through a script fans may now never stop imagining.