Sam Mendes deciding not to return to the James Bond franchise after Skyfall, which earned $1.1 billion in the worldwide box office, was huge blow to MGM, but the studio is undeterred, announcing that 007 will return to the big screen within 3 years. Speaking to Reuters, MGM Chairman Gary Barber said they are excited about the franchise, and hope to announce a director very soon, with script development already taking place.
2 years is the norm between Bond films, with bigger gaps usually down to legal issues or change of actors playing 007. No doubt, this is a big deal for MGM, considering the commercial and critical success of Skyfall. There is no word on the creative team behind the movie, but Daniel Craig is already in place, having signed on for two more films, bringing him up to the 25th installment.
