'Bond 25' Finds New Critically Acclaimed Director and Fans Are Stoked

The 25th James Bond film has found in a new director after Danny Boyle bounced last month over creative differences. Cary Fukunaga will now take the helm, producers announced Thursday morning.

If the name sounds familiar, it's probably because you're a fan of "True Detective" Season 1, which Fukunaga directed in its entirety. Other critically acclaimed films of his: "Sin Nombre," "Jane Eyre" and "Beasts of No Nation." He's also a new series called "Maniac," starring Jonah Hill and Emma Stone, hitting Netflix this Friday.

"We are delighted to be working with Cary. His versatility and innovation make him an excellent choice for our next James Bond adventure," said franchise producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli in a statement accompanying the surprise Twitter announcement.

The untitled sequel was previously set for a November 8, 2019 release when Boyle was on board.

This will likely be Daniel Craig's last turn as Agent 007. Filmmaker Antoine Fuqua ("Training Day") said at an event this past summer that Broccoli told him she feels "it is time" for an actor of color to take over the role once Craig gives it up and she is certain "it will happen eventually." Fans have repeatedly rallied behind "Luther" star Idris Elba taking on the role, and he's repeatedly said no one has ever reached out to him about it.

When a Telegraph reporter asked to talk about the media's obsession with him possibly playing Bond one day, he asked, "Can we not?"

"Because it feels like I'm campaigning, and I'm not," he added in the 2015 interview. "At first it was harmless -- oh, I know, wouldn't it be great? -- and now it's started off racial debates. I'm probably the most famous Bond actor in the world, and I've not even played the role. Enough is enough. I can't talk about it any more."

It appears the producers' decision to hire Fukunaga -- the first American filmmaker to direct a 007 movie -- has at least given fans something to get excited about beyond the possibility of a black Bond some day. The filmmaker's name started trending on Twitter after the announcement was made and people familiar with his work are giving his hire an ecstatic two thumbs up.

Here's a sample of the excitement.