The tantalizing possibilities: Ang Lee, Tom Hooper, David Yates, Shane Black, Nicolas Winding Refn were all evidently being considered for the next James Bond movie (though one manager for one filmmaker we won’t name called the claim "funny"; Christopher Nolan‘s name also popped up.) But before we can even consider a "Bond 24" directed by one of these auteurs — a 3D version from Lee, a NSFW one from Refn and a close-up obsessed iteration from Tom Hooper — word comes down that the much-beloved Sam Mendes who directed "Skyfall" — the highest grossing film in the Bond canon by a wide margin — is now interested in taking the plunge once again.
This runs pretty contrary to everything Mendes felt and said over the last few months. Overwhelmed by what he mounted with "Skyfall," easily the biggest production of Mendes filmmaking career, and certainly first blockbuster, Mendes, who passed on this directing gig months ago, says he felt "physically ill" at the prospect of directing a "Skyfall" sequel. Reports then said it could take three years for another James Bond movie, and folks like us started handing out helpful suggestions for replacements.
However, Deadline is now reporting that Mendes, presumably not feeling so daunted by the task (or given a healthy financial incentive,) is back in the conversation mix and could take on the next picture, which is being penned by "Skyfall" screenwriter John Logan. The site also comments on the recently rumored names, noting that it’s a "a moot point, because Mendes will be the director of the next Bond."
"Skyfall" grossed $1.1 billion worldwide when all was said and done and went on to become the eighth-highest grossing film of all time. So why not bring back the guy who made that happen? It should keep Daniel Craig happy too. It looks like "Skyfall" fans can rest easy and start getting excited for whenever this movie will finally hit theaters.