Sam Mendes Will Not Direct Bond 24
It’s no doubt disheartening news for the producers, but Skyfall director Sam Mendes has confirmed that he will not return to direct the next installment of the James Bond franchise.
“It has been a very difficult decision not to accept Michael [Wilson] and Barbara [Broccoli]’s very generous offer to direct the next Bond movie,” Mendes has said. “Directing Skyfall was one of the best experiences of my professional life, but I have theatre 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.”
Regarding the split, producers Wilson and Broccoli have commented, “We thoroughly enjoyed working with Sam, he directed our most successful Bond movie ever, Skyfall. We would have loved to have made the next film with him but completely respect his decision to focus on other projects and hope to have the opportunity to collaborate with him again.”
So, evidently, the door is open for Mendes to return to 007 some time in the future, much as director Martin Campbell did, having directed 1995‘s GoldenEye and 2006‘s Casino Royale. In the meantime, given the venerable status that Skyfall‘s success has afforded the franchise, and the talented cast in place – including Daniel Craig, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris and Ben Whishaw – there should be no shortage of talented and high-profile directors for Wilson and Broccoli to choose from.
Skyfall has grossed more than $1.1 billion worldwide and is currently ranked the #5 film of 2012 on Flickchart.
The ball is rolling on Bond 24, and so begins the period of speculation. Who do you think would make a good replacement for Mendes? Let us know in the comments below.
via Empire
Bring back Martin Campbell. If Mendes is unavailable it makes sense to bring back. The director that made the newer Bond movies popular and plausible.
Christopher Nolan would be an interesting pick, because he constantly references James Bond in his movies and apparently the producers really want him. I doubt that it’ll happen, but who knows.
Speaking of a director who’s a fan of the James Bond movies and always wanted to direct one: Steven Spielberg. I mean sure, Indiana Jones was more or less HIS James Bond and again, I doubt it’ll happen, but wouldn’t it be cool? Spielberg has worked with Craig in the past, so the link is there.
A possible return for Martin Campbell sounds interesting.
David Fincher, perhaps? He has also worked with Craig in the past, and his style is similar to that of Mendes’. He’s also my favorite director. I do wonder if he can direct action well though.
All interesting ideas. Somehow “David Fincher’s 007” appeals to me greatly.
Campbell is the first and most obvious choice to my mind; he did make Brosnan’s and Craig’s best Bond movies. (I’m not ready to call Skyfall better than Casino Royale yet; maybe it is, marginally.)
I think having Spielberg do it could be great fun; I also think it would be nice for the franchise to keep things British.