According to a report published in the Daily Mail today (May 17), British director Christopher Nolan is being eyed up by MGM executives as the man they want to direct the next James Bond film. The Inception director is atop the list of potential directors being lined up to direct the follow-up to the massively successful Skyfall, with the next film being the 24th film in the long-running series.

Skyfall director Sam Mendes, who did an excellent job it must be noted, has already voiced his desire to remain on board and direct the follow-up to the film, however the Oscar-winning director has been forced to dropped out of the project because of his theatre commitments Charlie And The Chocolate Factory and King Lear (a joint effort with Simon Russell Beale) at the National Theatre on London's West End.

Christopher Nolan
Christopher Nolan is in contention to be the next Bond director

Despite the show of interest from Bond bosse Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, there is a distinct chance that the Dark Knight trilogy director may have to decline the offer as he already has a number of projects lined up. Whilst he is currently applying the finishing touches to The Man of Steel, Nolan is also his own wormhole-hopping sci-fi drama, Interstellar, to work on, which will probably pre-occupy his time until it's 2014 release.

The Mail's Baz Bamigboye, who wrote the report on Nolan, has a great track record when it comes to Bond news and his tip may be valid, with the journalist adding that in spite of his current commitments, Bond bosses are willing to wait until his time becomes available. An insider told the paper; "It does no harm for Broccoli and Wilson to talk with Nolan, even if nothing happens this time round."

Sam Mendes
Sam Mendes has had to drop out of the project