It has been a very difficult decision not to accept Michael and Barbaras very generous offer to direct the next Bond movie. Directing Skyfall was one of the best experiences of my professional life, but I have theatre and other commitments, including productions of Charlie And The Chocolate Factory and King Lear, that need my complete focus over the next year and beyond."
Na het denderende succes van Skyfall, 1,1 miljard dollar en dit blijft maar oplopen, hoopten producenten Michael G. Wilson en Barbara Broccoli dat Mendes het trucje nog eens over zou doen. De filmmaker sluit overigens niet uit dat hij later in de toekomst nog eens terugkeert voor een Bond productie, net zoals Martin Campbell dat deed met Goldeneye en Casino Royale.
"I feel very honoured to have been part of the Bond family and very much hope I have a chance to work with them again sometime in the future".
Wilson en Broccoli respecteren de beslissing van Mendes uiteraard wel. Ze zeiden het volgende:
"We thoroughly enjoyed working with Sam, he directed our most successful Bond movie ever, Skyfall. We would have loved to have made the next film with him but completely respect his decision to focus on other projects and hope to have the opportunity to collaborate with him again."
Welke regisseur moet zich volgens jullie buigen over Bond 24?