Sam Mendes has confirmed that he has turned down the chance to direct the next James Bond film.
Speaking to Empire Magazine, the Skyfall director described his decision “as difficult”.
“It has been a very difficult decision not to accept [producers] Michael [G. Wilson] and Barbara [Broccoli’s] very generous offer to direct the next Bond movie,” Mendes said.
“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.”
Though Mendes ruled out a return in the next film, he admitted he was still open to coming back to Bond sometime down the road.
“I feel very honoured to have been part of the Bond family, and very much hope I have a chance to work with them again sometime in the future,” he added.
John Logan is still onboard to pen the script as longtime Bond screenwriters Neal Purvis and Robert Wade have also exited the series following Skyfall.
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