It's Official: Sam Mendes to Direct Next 007 Film

After months of speculation and an intial public rejection of the opportunity, it's been officially announced that Skyfall director Sam Mendes will indeed return to direct Daniel Craig in the next James Bond movie, set to be released by Sony Pictures on November 6, 2015.

PICS: 007 Posters Through the Years

The 24th 007 film will be written by John Logan, whose screenplay for Skyfall brought a new depth to Ian Fleming's classic spy on the 50th anniversary of the blockbuster big-screen franchise. The 23rd James Bond film took in $1.1 billion worldwide and was arguably the most critically acclaimed entry in the series.

"I am very pleased that by giving me the time I need to honour all my theatre commitments, the producers have made it possible for me to direct Bond 24," says Mendes, who is involved with productions of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory and King Lear. "I very much look forward to taking up the reins again, and to working with Daniel Craig, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for a second time."

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By taking on more than one 007 film, Mendes joins the ranks of celebrated Bond directors Terence Young (Dr. No, From Russia with Love, Thunderball), Guy Hamilton (Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever, Live and Let Die, The Man with the Golden Gun), Lewis Gilbert (You Only Live Twice, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker), John Glen (For Your Eyes Only, Octopussy, A View to a Kill, The Living Daylights, License to Kill) and Martin Campbell (GoldenEye, Casino Royale).