Brian De Palma
If he’s still working and up to speed, I could genuinely see Brian De Palma at the reins.
The Untouchables, Obsession, Blow Out, Dressed to Kill, Mission Impossible, Scarface ... some visceral action sequences in there, plus dark themes aplenty. He’ll never ever better Carrie in 76 though! dekethornton66
Matthew Vaughn
Kingsman 2 didn’t exactly set the box office alight. But he did direct Layer Cake and essentially film Daniel Craig’s audition for Bond. He also directed X-Men: First Class which arguably contained Michael Fassbender’s audition for Bond as well. CognisantMaestro
Kathryn Bigelow
Seriously, just give the job to Kathryn Bigelow. Point Break, Strange Days, The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty and Detroit are five perfect reasons why she should be on the producers’ list. Yodadog44
I know it’s been mentioned before but Kathryn Bigelow is surely the obvious choice ... Kevcoe
The surest and most underappreciated touch in high-class action movies. renaissancemoron
Kathryn Bigelow would be a great director for the next Bond film, having directed Detroit, Zero Dark Thirty and other high-octane movies that simultaneously have something interesting to say. ManWithSword
Johnnie To
He has a stellar, award-winning track record. He has experience with crime, gang and action movies. He would guarantee a massive Chinese box office haul. He’s a great actor’s director. helpmejebus
Kenneth Branagh
For some reason I can imagine Kenneth Branagh getting a phone call. He’s shown action chops while directing Thor with a background similar to Sam Mendes, who delivered the most successful bond movie ever. GeneralMittens
If he could make a decent live action movie of Cinderella, he sure as heck could do it with Bond. Mr Wilson and Ms Brocolli, give Mr Branagh a call. Fire Wade and Purves, though. f00l
Quentin Tarantino
Set it in the same period in which the books were originally written, free of contemporary social mores. Lots of saturated colour, clunky vintage gadgetry, chain-smoking, casual misogyny and spectacular violence. All intercut with scenes from vintage travelogues to establish locations, and a glorious 1950s soundtrack. As a one-off, what’s not to like? OlivesNightie
I want a 20-minute dialogue with Bond and the evil genius having an argument about the real meaning of Helter Skelter from the Beatles White Album. It will be charming, fun and extremely disturbing at the same time. Philao
Christopher Nolan
He’s British and loves Bond. They say he’s too exacting above, but he has already said on record that he would like to. It could be a really intense Bond. Inception was a Bond film in heavy disguise. ravint
Christopher Nolan has indicated he’d like to do Bond at some point and has produced Bondesque stuff in the past
They’re probably worried about what he might want to change. I expect it would all be very good and give the franchise a new lease of life, I wonder if they’ll have the courage to try it? CordTrousers
Susanne Bier
I though whilst watching The Night Manager that it was very Bond-esque ... she also does the steamy bits brilliantly too. Euro classy style. samamber
Seriously though – it should definitely be Susanne Bier directing with Idris Elba as Bond. With those two they would have my dollar. MauriceMicklewhite
Lynne Ramsay
She appears to be great at finding a darkness and intensity in a story which is an element i most enjoy in bond films, much great that the comic moments. davidsaid
Christopher McQuarrie
Not the most exciting choice, but a practical one would be Christopher McQuarrie as he has experience with large action films and doing it well if not uniquely, but more importantly has an ability to write as he’s going along and edit quickly, both of which are crucial at this point if they want the film done in time. dcraigwest
Nicolas Winding Refn
Not one to shy away from a bit of violence, so allows a continuation of the “Jason Bourne” style of Bond, good with lighting/sound too to ramp up the atmosphere. gomerpyl3
Beautifully shot ultraviolence. Stark exploration of the human condition and morality. Slick cinematography. Artistic European edges. Neon lighting. He’s the perfect choice! james_clayton
