SJ Clarkson could become first female director for 007

SJ Clarkson, who has been signed up for the next Star Trek sequel, joins Bart Layton and Yann Demange on the list of contenders for the job, according to Variety.

Layton directed 2012 film The Imposter and 2018's American Animals, while Demange directed 2014's '71 and the 2011 series Top Boy.

Clarkson's hat has been put in the ring amid growing concern over women's lack of power in Hollywood, with the MeToo movement highlighting sexual harassment and others citing differences in pay.

She has already worked on everything from EastEnders and Casualty to Dexter, Life on Mars and Ugly Betty.

Her more recent credits include episodes for shows such as Orange Is The New Black, Marvel series Jessica Jones and British drama Collateral.

The director was included after Danny Boyle pulled out of the franchise's 25th film last month over "creative differences". In a tweet, the team behind the Bond films said Boyle would "no longer direct" the British spy's next outing.

The latest 007 film, which is yet to be titled, was initially expected to be released in November 2019.

Oscar-winner Boyle's involvement was confirmed in May, with EON Productions saying work would begin at Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire, in December.

However, the scheduled release date is now expected to be missed. It is now likely that the film, starring Daniel Craig, will not show in cinemas until late 2020, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Sources told Variety that meetings were still being arranged with the British filmmakers, Clarkson and Layton, and that the producers' first meeting with French director Demange went well enough for him to make it on to the list of candidates.

They said producers would be attending a screening of Demange's latest film White Boy Rick, which was unfinished when he met them.

The next Bond film is expected to be Craig's last time playing the spy, having previously starred in Casino Royale, Quantum Of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre.

Last month, actor Idris Elba fuelled speculation he could be the next 007 after posting a cryptic tweet with the words "my name's Elba, Idris Elba".

He later told he was having "a laugh" at the "incredible" rumours.