Sam Mendes, the acclaimed director behind two successful James Bond films, “Skyfall” (2012) and “Spectre” (2015), expressed skepticism about returning to the 007 franchise for a third installment. Mendes discussed his upcoming HBO series, “The Franchise,” and shared insights about the evolving demands of studio filmmaking, suggesting that studios often seek younger directors who are perceived as more “controllable.”
“Never say never, to quote the man, but I would doubt it,” Mendes stated regarding the possibility of directing another Bond film. He reflected on his experiences with the franchise, saying, “It was very good for me at that moment in my life. I felt like it shot me out of some old habits. It made me think on a bigger scale. It made me use different parts of my brain. You have to have a lot of energy.”
Mendes elaborated on the qualities studios look for in potential Bond directors, emphasizing their preference for “slightly more malleable people who are earlier in their career, who perhaps are going to use it as a stepping stone, and who are more controllable by the studio.”
“Skyfall” is celebrated as one of the most critically acclaimed entries in the Bond series, grossing over $1.1 billion globally and becoming the highest-grossing 007 film to date. The film garnered five Oscar nominations, winning the award for Best Original Song. Its sequel, “Spectre,” although met with mixed reviews, also won an Oscar for Best Original Song and achieved a box office gross of $880 million.
Since Mendes stepped away from the Bond franchise, only one additional film has been released: “No Time to Die” (2021). This film marked the conclusion of Daniel Craig’s portrayal of Bond, prompting the search for both a new actor and a new director to lead the iconic franchise. As of now, no filmmaker has been officially announced to take on the next Bond project.
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