Christopher Nolan Confirms He Won't Direct Bond 25

Just because everyone would like to see Christopher Nolan direct a James Bond flick, it doesn't mean it'll happen.

While the folks behind the franchise haven't announced who will helm the upcoming Bond 25, the director of The Dark Knight, Inception, and Dunkirk recently said it won't be him. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs (via Digital Spy), Nolan said, "I won't be the man. No, categorically. I think every time they hire a new director, I'm rumored to be doing it."

Of course, Nolan did fuel the fire a little when he told Variety a few months back that he would "definitely" like to make a Bond movie, but only if the series gets rebooted. "I've spoken to the producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson over the years. I deeply love the character, and I'm always excited to see what they do with it. Maybe one day that would work out. You'd have to be needed, if you know what I mean. It has to need reinvention; it has to need you. And they're getting along very well."

There's been a lot of uncertainty surrounding the 25th Bond movie. Five studios battled for the rights to work on the film and it wasn't immediately clear if star Daniel Craig would return for a fifth time. Although he previously said he'd rather "slash [his] wrists" than come back after 2015's Spectre, he eventually confirmed he'll be in Bond 25.

About seven months ago, there were reportedly three contenders to direct the film: Denis Villenueve (Blade Runner 2049), David Mackenzie (Hell or High Water), and Yann Demange ('71). Villeneuve later turned it down.

Meanwhile, Nolan is up for Best Director at the 2018 Oscars for his gritty World War II movie Dunkirk.