Sam Mendes confirmed today that he will not direct the next James Bond film, according to the Associated Press.
Speaking at the Hay Festival in Wales, the Skyfall and SPECTRE director said: “It was an incredible adventure, I loved every second of it, but I think it’s time for somebody else.”
Mendes added that he hoped the next James Bond director would come from an “unexpected direction,” just as he had. “I’m a storyteller. And at the end of the day, I want to make stories with new characters,” he said about his departure from the franchise.
Mendes’ first James Bond movie was Skyfall, which earned an impressive $1.108 billion worldwide in 2012. His second film in the franchise was last year’s SPECTRE, which grossed over $880 million globally. Both films starred Daniel Craig, who is reportedly not returning for the next film.
Rumored names to replace Daniel Craig are Tom Hiddleston, Jamie Bell and Idris Elba, though no official word has come from MGM, Sony Pictures or franchise producer Barbara Broccoli.
Mendes commented on the rumors, saying that “it’s not a democracy… Barbara Broccoli decides who is going to be the next Bond, end of story.”
Who would you like to see direct the next James Bond, and if a new 007 will be cast, who should star? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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Naomie Harris in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures/Columbia Pictures/EON Productions’ action adventure SPECTRE.
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Léa Seydoux in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures/Columbia Pictures/EON Productions’ action adventure SPECTRE.
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Monica Bellucci and Daniel Craig in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures/Columbia Pictures/EON Productions’ action adventure SPECTRE.
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Stephanie Sigman in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures/Columbia Pictures/EON Productions’ action adventure SPECTRE.
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Stephanie Sigman plays Estrella in the opening sequence of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures/Columbia Pictures/EON Productions’ action adventure SPECTRE, on location in Mexico City.
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Director Sam Mendes on location in Mexico City shooting the opening sequence of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures/Columbia Pictures/EON Productions’ action adventure SPECTRE.
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Bond (Daniel Craig) runs along the rooftops in pursuit of Sciarra in Mexico City in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures/Columbia Pictures/EON Productions’ action adventure SPECTRE.
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The Day Of The Dead parade is recreated in Mexico City for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures/Columbia Pictures/EON Productions’ action adventure SPECTRE.
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Oberhauser played by Christoph Waltz (centet) in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures/Columbia Pictures/EON Productions’ action adventure SPECTRE.
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Daniel Craig stars as James Bond in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures/Columbia Pictures/EON Productions’ action adventure SPECTRE.
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