Following Danny Boyle's exit from directing Bond 25, the rumours of possible replacements have included Christopher Nolan, Kathryn Bigelow, Edgar Wright, Guy Ritchie and pretty much anyone else who's been within 50 feet of a camera in the last 20 years. However, sources say that there are now three frontrunners for the job.

Insiders have told Variety that Yann DeMange, who directed the upcoming White Boy Rick, was in the frame before Boyle got the job in the first place, and is believed to be back in the running again. He's joined on the shortlist by Bart Layton, who made American Animals, and SJ Clarkson, who will helm the next Star Trek film.

They also mentioned that Boyle took the job in the first place on two conditions: that he be allowed to finish off a comedy he was making for Working Title this summer; and that he be allowed to write the script with his longtime collaborator John Hodge. He got assurances on both, but left the project in August.

Whoever gets Boyle's old job, they'll need to be appointed soon if Bond 25 is to hit its 2019 release date. Then again according to The Sun, Daniel Craig's recently announced role in Rian Johnson's crime thriller Knives Out might knock production of the next Bond film back anyway, as shooting starts only a month before filming for Bond 25 is due to begin in December.

However, the sources Variety spoke to are pretty confident that Craig's commitments won't keep him busy for so long that Bond 25's production will be pushed back.