london 2012

Danny Boyle and Stephen Daldry to Direct the London Olympics

Confirming last week’s reports and doing you one better, the planners of 2012’s London Olympics officially announced this morning that Slumdog Millionaire helmer Danny Boyle has been hired to direct the opening ceremony, while Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot, The Reader) will join the four-person team — which also includes Beijing 2008 designer Mark Fisher, TV director Hamish Hamilton, and producer Catherine Ugwu — in charge of the games’ overall creative vision. Except to say that “zombies [will] not be running around on stage,” Boyle offered zero hints about what his ceremony will look like at today’s press conference. It’ll have a budget of $40 million, though, which should be more than enough to teach a few slumdogs ballet.

Slumdog’s Boyle to direct 2012 Olympic ceremony [Reuters]

Danny Boyle and Stephen Daldry to Direct the London Olympics