Sam Mendes returning to direct 24th James Bond movie

Los Angeles: Director Sam Mendes today announced that he returning to direct the 24th James Bond film with Daniel Craig reprising his role as the iconic spy.

Mendes` follow-up to `Skyfall`, the highest-grossing film in the Bond franchise, is slated to arrive in theatres on October 23, 2015 in the UK and November 6, 2015 in the US. The screenplay of the film is by John Logan, Craig will return as the iconic British secret agent for the fourth time, along with producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli of Eon Productions. Gary Barber, chairman and CEO of MGM; Michael Lynton, CEO of Sony Corporation of America, and Amy Pascal, co-chair of Sony Pictures Entertainment announced today. The Oscar-winning helmer had initially shown reluctance in getting involved with the next Bond project citing prior commitments but things seems to have worked out for Mendes. "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. 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," Mendes said in a statement here. `Skyfall` took in USD 1.1 billion worldwide and set a new mark as the highest-grossing film of all time in the UK and won two Oscars for Adele`s best original song and another for sound editing. Producers Wilson and Broccoli said, "Following the extraordinary success of Skyfall, we`re really excited to be working once again with Daniel Craig, Sam Mendes and John Logan." The news of Mendes` return comes just four months after he said he would not be back for the next Bond film. He has been busy on the West End theatrical production of `Charlie and the Chocolate Factory` besides directing Shakespeare`s `King Lear`, slated to open next year. PTI