Sam Mendes to direct next James Bond film; will release in 2015

Credit: Joel Ryan/AP

With the global success of Skyfall, it was only natural that the film's producers would ask Sam Mendes to return to direct the next Bond film, the 24th in the series. But the highly sought-after director has quite the busy schedule, as his upcoming projects include a remake of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. This led many to suspect that the Oscar-winning director of American Beauty would not be returning to the 007 director's chair.

Thankfully, fans of the director's work on Skyfall won't have to worry what the next film would look like without him.

Sam Mendes will return as director of the next James Bond film, with Daniel Craig once again playing 007. In addition, it's been confirmed that the film's official release date is November 6, 2015.

This decision marks a significant reversal from Mendes, who said in March that while he very much enjoyed working on Skyfall, he was done with the Bond franchise.

"It has been a very difficult decision not to accept [producers] Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli's very generous offer to direct the next Bond movie," Mendes 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."

Mendes would go on to elaborate, in an interview with The Guardian a month later, on why he passed on Bond 24. "Was I willing to go straight back into a room with a writer and start work on the same set of characters and the same scenarios as I've been working on for the last three years? No. The idea made me feel physically ill," he said.

However, the director now credits the Bond producers with giving him time to make the decision, as he might not have signed on without the leeway he was given.

"I very much look forward to taking up the reins again, and to working with Daniel Craig, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for a second time," said Mendes, in a statement accompanying the announcement.

Via: Huffington Post