Sam Mendes is reconsidering a return to the James Bond series.
After Sony announced a shortlist of directors earlier Tuesday, Deadline reported that Sony Pictures and MGM have started talks with Sam Mendes to reunite the helmer with franchise star Daniel Craig in the next James Bond installment.
The report also noted that producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli got in touch with Mendes earlier this month.
Mendes recently stated that he did not want to return to the franchise because it made him "physically ill." "Was I willing to go back into a room with a writer and start work on the same set of characters and the same scenarios as I've been working on for the last three years?" he stated. "The idea made me physically ill."
Mendes also admitted that he was not afraid to disappoint Bond fans and stated, "I say to them, my life is not a democracy. It's not up for discussion."
Despite Mendes' comments, the producers have been steadfast in their desire to bring the British director back for one more go with Agent 007. Broccoli previously stated, "We will get him back; we haven't given up hope... Maybe not for the next one... but we will get him back again." Wilson was adamant about Mendes returning and said, "We hope that maybe he will have gotten inspired to come back."
Sony recently revealed that Ang Lee, Nicolas Winding Refn, Tom Hooper, Shane Black and Christopher Nolan had been approached to direct the 24th installment. However none of the aforementioned directors' representatives have confirmed the news.
"Skyfall" became the most successful Bond movie ever with an international gross of $1.1 billion. The film also received 5 Academy Award nominations and won 2. Craig is currently in negotiation to reprise his role for the next two Bond movies and John Logan is currently writing the new script.
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