Bond 23 writer Peter Morgan exits HBO project, starts 007 duty sooner?

Peter Morgan is bowing out as director of HBO telepic "The Special Relationship," revolving around the turbulent political relationship in the 1990s between British Prime Minister Tony Blair and President Clinton. He'll be replaced by Brit helmer Richard Loncraine, HBO confirmed Tuesday to Variety.com.

Morgan, who earned Oscar noms for his screenplays for "The Queen" and "Frost/Nixon," wrote the script for "Relationship," and he remains onboard as an exec producer. He was to have made his directing debut on the project.

Morgan was recently enlisted to co-write the next James Bond film with 007 regular scribes Neal Purvis and Robert Wade.

The press release from MGM stated that Morgan "...has also scripted the upcoming The Special Relationship for HBO and Hereafter for DreamWorks. He will turn his attention to Bond 23 on completion of these duties."

With Morgan no longer directing "The Special Relationship", his 007 duties could start sooner than originally thought.

The 23rd James Bond film is expected to be released in 2011. Click here for the most complete coverage of Daniel Craig's upcoming third outing as 007.

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