Skyfall director Sam Mendes won’t direct the next Bond

PanARMENIAN.Net - Sam Mendes, director of the latest Bond film Skyfall, has revealed that he will not direct the next in the series.

According to BBC News, he told Empire Magazine it was a "very difficult decision".

The director, who is currently working on a stage production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, says his current work needs his "complete focus over the next year and beyond".

But he added he had not ruled out the possibility of returning to the 007 franchise in the future.

"I feel very honored to have been part of the Bond family", said Mendes, "and very much hope I have a chance to work with them again."

The Oscar-winning director picked up the outstanding British film award, for Bond's 23rd outing, alongside producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli at this year's Baftas.

"It has been a very difficult decision not to accept Michael and Barbara's very generous offer to direct the next Bond movie," explained Mendes.

"Directing Skyfall was one of the best experiences of my professional life."

There had been doubts about whether the director would make a second Bond film after he described Skyfall as "completely exhausting".

Wilson and Broccoli said in a statement that they hope to work with the director again in the future, adding they "completely respect his decision to focus on other projects".