Sam Mendes returning to direct 24th Bond film

[July 12, 2013]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Sam Mendes is coming back to direct another James Bond film with Daniel Craig following the enormously successful "Skyfall."

The British director Mendes had said earlier that "Skyfall" would be his lone entry in the 007 canon, but Bond producers and Sony Pictures announced his return Thursday.

Mendes recently debuted an adaptation of "Charlie & the Chocolate Factory" in London. He's also mounting "King Lear" for the National Theatre.

Mendes says in a statement "that by giving me the time I need to honor all my theater commitments, the producers have made it possible for me to direct Bond 24."

The as-yet-titled Bond film is scheduled to be released in fall 2015. The script is by "Skyfall" screenwriter John Logan.

Released last year, "Skyfall" made more than $1.1 billion worldwide.

[Associated Press]

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