Sam Mendes looking likely to direct Bond 24

After his sterling work on Skyfall (the highest-grossing British film in UK box office history, lest we forget), Sony / MGM have reportedly been desperate to re-sign Sam Mendes to direct the next Bond movie, and finally, it sounds as if they may be getting their wish.

According to The Daily Mail ’s Baz Bamigboye, Mendes is now “75% likely” to return to the director’s chair, having initially been sceptical about his ability to fit it into his busy schedule.

Mendes was also reportedly put off by the suggestion of the next episode being part of a two-film storyline, to be filmed back to back. That would have required around four years of the director’s time, a commitment he was unwilling to make.

However, it seems now that Bond 24 will be a standalone movie, and Mendes is in negotiations to thrash out a deal. What doesn’t seem likely is that Mendes will hit the targeted release date of Autumn 2014.

With various theatre commitments clogging up his schedule, Mendes would only be able to begin work on the film in January of next year, which would make the traditional October arrival a bit of a squeeze.

Still, we’d be more than happy to wait if it meant getting another Bond film of Skyfall ’s calibre. Over to you, Sam…