Mendes Back In Talks

By MI6 Staff

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It has been a classic case of 'will he, won't he?' as the speculation as to whether director Sam Mendes will helm the next James Bond film, the 24th in the franchise, flip-flops back and forth in the trade press and in public statements.

Producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have been open and vocal about their desire to see Mendes return for a second shot at 007, especially perhaps after 'Skyfall' was critically acclaimed, became the first Bond outing to break a billion dollars, is highest grossing film in the franchise accounting for inflation, and is still #8 at the worldwide box-office of all time. Not to mention all the Blu-Ray and DVD sales.

Although Mendes distanced himself from the follow-up, speaking at the BAFTA awards on the topic, and even issuing a statement in March, it appears that a return for Bond 24 might be back on again. Deadline reports that EON are willing to wait for the British director to complete his theatre projects (productions of Charlie And The Chocolate Factory and King Lear) and push back Bond 24 a year. American screenwriter John Logan is already penning the script.

According to the rumours, Sony Pictures and MGM have "started talks" for Mendes to helm Daniel Craig's fourth outing as 007. and EON. Production would not start until sometime next year, leading to the possibility that we won't see Bond back in action until 2015 at the earliest.

Meanwhile, other directors have been touted, perhaps in a push to get Mendes to commit. Christopher Nolan has been in exploratory talks with EON (although this may be Bond 25 timetabling) and yesterday a supposed shortlist of Ang Lee, Tom Hooper, Shane Black and Nicolas Winding Refn was 'revealed' by the trade press. But it begs the question: which director would want to try and top 'Skyfall's extraordinary success?

Above: The 'Skyfall' team at the BAFTA awards.

Bond 24 will see Daniel Craig back as 007 for his fourth and penultimate film of his current contract, and the return of the new MI6 team comprising Ralph Fiennes (M), Naomie Harris (Moneypenny) and Ben Whishaw (Q) as they are all optioned through Bond 25.

Briefing
SPECTRE (2015) is the new James Bond film and the 24th in the series. It will be the fourth outing for Daniel Craig as 007, and the second film to be directed by Sam Mendes from a screenplay by John Logan, Neal Purvis & Robert Wade. The new MI6 team of Ralph Fiennes (M), Naomie Harris (Moneypenny), Rory Kinnear (Tanner) and Ben Whishaw (Q) are all reprising their roles. The cast will include Lea Seydoux, Dave Bautista, Andrew Scott and Christoph Waltz. Production commences on December 8th 2014, with location work as early as 5th January 2015 in Austria. The film will also shoot on location in: Erfoud and Tangier, Morocco; Rome, Italy and Mexico City, Mexico. SPECTRE is scheduled for release on 7th November 2015.