The search for the new Bond 25 director continues. Eon Productions is currently looking to replace Danny Boyle after he was let go due to creative differences. Their search has led them to a couple of possible candidates ranging from Edgar Wright, David Mackenzie, Jean-Marc Valle, and Yann Demange. Although, it’s not clear which one of them will be getting the gig. Now you can add two more names to that list.

According to new reports, American Animals helmer Bart Layton and Star Trek 4 helmer S.J. Clarkson are also being considered to direct Bond 25. More on the story below.

Variety says producers are moving fast to set meetings with prospective candidates and that more meetings could be held in the future. While the report doesn’t say anything about the first group of names, Layton and Clarkson are the two newest names to appear as possible candidates to direct the film.

Layton is probably best known for this year’s Sundance darling film American Animals. In the film, four ordinary friends come up to steal some of the rarest and most valuable books from the school’s library. Clarkson was in line to direct Star Trek 4, but the film is currently in a holding pattern due to a contract dispute between the studio and Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth. She would be the first female director to helm a Star Trek film.

White Boy Rick director Yann Demange is also in contention.

But rather than find a writer and a director, separately, producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli are looking to find a writer-director.

So sit-down meetings between Layton and Clarkson will be held, but it’s unclear when that will happen.

The move comes at a very interesting time though. Star Daniel Craig, who plays Bond, has just signed on for Rian Johnson’s Knives Out, an Agatha Christie-inspired murder mystery. The film is expected to attract some big name studio bidders at the Toronto International Film Festival this year. However, because the film is still in the very early stages of development, it will not interfere with Bond 25.

But if they want to start shooting by the scheduled December date, they had better find a director soon. When we last reported, it was said that production could be held as far back as January. Of course, we will keep you posted on all of the news about Bond 25 as they come in.

[Source: Variety]