[Movies] Sam Mendes Open To Directing Another James Bond Movie
Posted by Joseph Lee on 02.15.2013
Would you want to see him back?
The Daily Mail reports that Sam Mendes wants to return to direct Bond 24, the next entry in the franchise after the huge hit Skyfall.
He was reluctant at first because writer John Logan was planning a two-part story that would have been shot back-to-back, which would be roughly a four-year project overall. It would have also meant long periods of work for Daniel Craig, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris and Ben Whishaw. The plan has since been abandoned, and both Bond 24 and 25 will be stand-alone films.
While Mendes hasn't decided yet, he's "75 percent" sure he will do it. Logan's thoughts for the 24th film are in two treatment papers with a rough idea of the plot. It's likely Mendes wants to see the finished script before he completely commits. The only people who have seen the outline are producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, Mendes, Craig and executives for Sony and MGM.
Pre-production could begin late this year or early 2014. Mendes would not be able to work full time until he has finished directing the play King Lear starring Simon Russell Beale, which opens at the National Theatre next January. Right now he is directing a musical version of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which opens at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on May 18.
Skyfall won best British film at the EE British Film Academy Awards while composer Thomas Newman won best original score. Cinematographer Roger Deakins won at the American Society of Cinematographers and is also up for an Oscar. Skyfall has four nominations at that ceremony, including best song for Adele.
