Danny Boyle to direct the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony?

Danny Boyle may be about to sign onto the most expensive project of his career, but it’s not a movie. According to The Times (via Playlist) Danny Boyle, who won an Oscar for directing Slumdog Millionaire, is the top choice to direct the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics.

London will have to pull out all the stops if the opening ceremony is going to be as good as the Bejing opening ceremony in 2008 (choreographed by House of Flying Daggers director Zhang Yimou). This won’t be easy given the economic climate, but if anyone can work on a strict budget it’s Boyle. He made Sunshine with all it’s dazzling effects for just $40 million, and he converted $15 million into 8 Oscars and $377 million with Slumdog.

A senior source closely involved in planning the Games said Boyle was a favoured candidate because of his creative panache. “We want the most imaginative ceremony the world has ever seen.”

Another source said: “Nothing has been signed yet, but we do fully expect him to do it.” When asked whether he had been approached, Boyle said: “I can’t say any more. It would be lovely, wouldn’t it?”

Do you think Boyle would be a good choice to direct the ceremony? Or should they give other British directors such as Sam Mendes or Ridley Scott the job?

Here’s a reminder of China’s amazing ceremony: