Sam Mendes, who directed the latest and greatest James Bond film, Skyfall, said that he doesn’t want to direct the next film in the franchise.
Recently crossing $1.1 billion at the box office and picking up two Oscars and two BAFTA’s, Skyfall is the highest-grossing Bond film to date (and the seventh-highest grossing film of all time). While it’s no doubt producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli want Mendes to direct the next film, Empire reports that he unfortunately turned down the opportunity to direct the 24th Bond film:
“It has been a very difficult decision not to accept Michael and Barbara’s very generous offer to direct the next Bond movie,” explained Mendes. “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.”
However, this doesn’t necessarily mean the door for Mendes and Bond is closed forever. Wilson and Broccoli state:
“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.”
While it’s a sad goodbye for now, there will be plenty of other applicants eager to step in Mendes’ directing shoes for Bond 24. Thus far, we know that Skyfall writer John Logan is penning the next two Bond films, and it’ll be a 2-film story arc. Additionally, Daniel Craig signed on for two more films at least, and Bond 24 is rumored to be releasing in late 2014.