As James Bond fans wait for word on what to expect next from the world famous British spy series, one former director of the films has said the studio behind Bond will probably be after a filmmaker it can stamp its authority on.
That’s according to Sam Mendes, and he should know; Mendes directed the Daniel Craig-starring Skyfall and Spectre to record-breaking success, with 2012’s Skyfall becoming the highest-grossing James Bond movie of all time with a whopping $1.1 billion at the worldwide box office.
Speaking to Inverse, Mendes cast doubt on the possibility of returning to Bond, and explained why.
“Never say never, to quote the man, but I would doubt it,” Mendes said of the possibility. “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.
“They want 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.”
The search for the next James Bond director was still in progress in August but meetings were reportedly taking place with several candidates.
According to a report by , a small number of filmmakers participated in "a first round of speed dates" at Eon Productions' London headquarters. Names believed to be on the shortlist include Edward Berger, who helmed Netflix's remake of All Quiet on the Western Front, and Kelly Marcel, .
The report also noted that Eon was likely looking for another Martin Campbell, who famously directed GoldenEye and Casino Royale, suggesting . David Michôd had been linked to 007's next big screen outing, while Bart Layton and Yann Demange were described as "plausible choices."
It is possible Campbell could return to the director's chair on Bond 26, especially since the next entry is said to be with . Campbell, of course, previously ushered in the Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig eras, having helmed the first installment for each actor.
Once a director is chosen, selecting an actor for the lead role will be the next priority. The report noted that Kraven the Hunter star Aaron Taylor-Johnson is the candidate to have gained the most traction so far, with British tabloid reporting in March that to become Craig's successor.
Brosnan later endorsed Taylor-Johnson, saying he to play 007, but no official casting announcements have been made.
The last film in the franchise to release was 2021’s No Time to Die, which marked the end of Craig’s tenure as Bond.
Photo by Jon Furniss/WireImage.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.