The 'Skyfall' director will reteam with Daniel Craig, the British top agent depicter, in the film set to be released in 2015.
- Jul 12, 2013
AceShowbiz - It's confirmed, Sam Mendes will serve behind the lens for the next chapter of James Bond movies. The English filmmaker, whose credits include critically-acclaimed "American Beauty" and "Revolutionary Road", has agreed to jump aboard "Bond 24", which will be penned by his "Skyfall" collaborator, scribe John Logan.
"I am very pleased that by giving me the time I need to honor all my theater commitments, the producers have made it possible for me to direct 'Bond 24'. I very much look forward to taking up the reins again, and to working with Daniel Craig, [producers] Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for a second time," says Mendes in a statement.
Four months ago, the 47-year-old helmer regretfully announced that he would not return to the next Bond movie. At that time, he told Empire magazine, "Directing 'Skyfall' was one of the best experiences of my professional life."
"But I have theater and other commitments, including productions of 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' and 'King Lear', that need my complete focus over the next year and beyond."
The West End stage production of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" opened at the London Palladium on June 23. At the premiere of the play, Mendes revealed that he'd been approached again to work on the 24th Bond film.
"I don't know yet. I'm in discussions over the 'B' word [Bond], and I won't make a decision until this ['Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'] is open," he said.
"Bond 24" is slated for a November 6, 2015 release and reportedly will have Penelope Cruz as the Bond girl.
