By Prepare to have your day/week/year/life ruined. Sam Mendes has told Empire that he will not be returning to the Bond franchise. The director says he’s just too busy to make another Bond film after Skyfall, which has grossed more than $1 billion and become one of the top ten grossing films of all time.
“It has been a very difficult decision not to accept (producers) Michael and Barbara’s very generous offer to direct the next Bond movie,” explained Mendes. “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.”
DAMN YOU THEATER! DAMN YOU TO HELL!
In reality this is a blow, but not a big one. While losing a talented director like Mendes sucks the Bond series will go on, and thanks to the new cred that Mendes and a slew of high end actors have lent the series it shouldn’t be too hard to attract a really great director. I wonder if there’s any director who could even top Mendes’ outing. Anyone at all.
[via Empire]