Sam Mendes Will Direct Next James Bond Movie After All
Sam Mendes will direct the next James Bond movie, after all: he previously said that he would not be returning to the upcoming film project in order to focus on other commitments that included productions of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and King Lear. According to Fox News, the Skyfall director has signed on to direct the 24th movie in the James Bond franchise.
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“I am very pleased that by giving me the time I need to honor all my theatre commitments, the producers have made it possible for me to direct Bond 24,” said Mendes in a statement. “I very much look forward to taking up the reins again, and to working with Daniel Craig, Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for a second time.”
Last year’s Skyfall raked in over $1 billion worldwide and broke records for the biggest opening of a Bond movie. The 007 film also featured the massively successful hit single “Skyfall” from Adele on the film’s soundtrack.
MGM Chairman and CEO Gary Barber said that the studio is thrilled to reunite with Mendes: “As evidenced by the phenomenal success of our last collaboration with EON Productions and Sony, the incredible legacy of this 51-year-old franchise continues to amaze.” The new film will be written by Skyfall screenwriter James Logan and is scheduled to be released in November 2015.