Mendes NOT Directing Bond #24

Despite talk that "Skyfall" director Sam Mendes might return to the big chair for "Bond 24" he told Empire that he has decided NOT to take the job of steering the next James Bond adventure...

 

In an official statement, Mendes says:

"It has been a very difficult decision not to accept Michael and Barbara’s very generous offer to direct the next Bond movie. 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.I feel very honoured to have been part of the Bond family, and very much hope I have a chance to work with them again sometime in the future."

Producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have released their own statement response:

"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."

"Skyfall" recently crossed the $1 Billion Box Office Mark Worldwide--currently holding as the seventh highest grossing film of all time.

Broccoli and Wilson are hoping to get production underway at the end of the year for a late 2014 release.