Sam Mendes, who directed the James Bond films 'Skyfall' and 'Spectre', has expressed doubt that he will return to helm another 007 movie. Speaking to Inverse ahead of his new HBO series 'The Franchise', Mendes suggested that the studio behind the franchise often seeks younger directors who are easier to control.
'Never say never, to quote the man, but I would doubt it,' Mendes said. 'It was very good for me at that moment in my life... You have to have a lot of energy.' He added that the studio wants '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'.
Mendes' 'Skyfall', released in 2012, remains one of the most acclaimed Bond films, grossing $1.1 billion worldwide and winning an Oscar for best original song. His follow-up, 'Spectre' (2015), earned $880 million and also won the Oscar for best original song, though it received a more divided critical response.
Since Mendes' departure, only one Bond film has been released: 'No Time to Die' in 2021, which marked Daniel Craig's final outing as 007. The franchise is currently searching for a new lead actor and a new director, with no official announcements yet made.
