The statistics don't lie: most filmmakers who direct James Bond movies eventually find their way back for another 007 adventure. There have been 23 Bond movies made in the last 50 years, but all of the titles come from only 11 different names, with Terence Yong, Guy Hamilton, John Glen, Lewis Gilbert and Martin Campbell responsible for 17 of the films. So when producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson say that they're confident that the series could lure Skyfall's Sam Mendes back into the fold, it's a challenge not to take their word for it.
Despite the fact that Skyfall was one of the biggest hits of last year, earlier this month we learned that Mendes won't be back to direct Bond 24 - but don't think that means the Oscar winning director's time with the British superspy has come to an end. Speaking with Getty Images (via Coming Soon), the producers confirmed that talks are still ongoing with Mendes and that they are confident in his return. "We will get him back," Broccoli told the site. "We haven’t given up hope... Maybe not for the next one… but we will get him back again." Added Wilson, "We are working on him. We hope that maybe he will have gotten inspired to come back."
The site also got a quote from Mendes about the future of 007, saying "Bond movies, they need someone working on it now...I’m doing my theatre projects and then I’ll work out... I’ve definitely left the door open though... I’ve never really repeated myself, done the same type of movie one after the other, so just give me a chance to think about what I actually want to say."
When it was revealed that Mendes wouldn't be back for Bond 24 it didn't come as a huge surprise, as Mendes' career hasn't exactly demonstrated that he is a franchise director, but it's great to hear that neither the director nor the producers are giving up on the idea for the future. Skyfall was easily one of the best James Bond films of all time, and while it would be great to see Mendes back in the director's chair for the next one, the idea of him coming back only when he's ready to come back sounds perfect.
