Sam Mendes Won't Direct James Bond 'Skyfall' Sequel

After returning the James Bond franchise to relevance and delivering the top-grossing installment in the franchise's history, it was widely hoped that Sam Mendes would return to direct the sequel to Skyfall. On Wednesday, Mendes announced that he wouldn't helm the film that's currently being referred to as James Bond 24.

“It has been a very difficult decision not to accept 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."

With the success that Skyfall had (even winning two Oscars), I would have loved to have seen where Mendes could have taken the Bond franchise with another film. We already know that Daniel Craig, 007 himself, will be back for two more movies. It looks like he'll have a new director to work with in both of those films.