Sam Mendes will not direct the 24th James Bond film

After a long process of negotiations and offers Sam Mendes (“Road to Perdition”) has decided not to direct the 24th James Bond film.

Empire is reporting today that the “Skyfall” directer said, “It has been a very difficult decision not to accept [producers] Michael[G. Wilson] and Barbara[Broccoli’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.”

It is unfortunate that he will not be directing the next film, but he is still open to directing one in the future.

I think it is great that he is doing what is best for him instead of just chasing after paychecks.

It is nice to see a director constantly challenging himself creatively, and we still have his idea for the follow-up being worked on by writer John Logan (“Skyfall”).

With all this stae work, and Bond ideas, I can’t help but wonder when he is going to make me a sequel to “Road to Perdition” (the greatest Tom Hanks movie you haven’t seen).

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