Sam Mendes Talks Moving On From Bond After SPECTRE & The Future Of The Franchise

Sam Mendes Talks Moving On From Bond After SPECTRE & The Future Of The Franchise

Naturally, there's been plenty of speculation about the future of the Bond franchise. Director Sam Mendes recently weighed in with his take, and reiterated that he has no plans to return...

By Minty - Nov 06, 2015 08:11 AM EST
Filed Under: James Bond
Source: Deadline

Today's the big day! As Spectre opens across the US and in a host of other international territories, audiences will be treated to Daniel Craig's fourth outing as suave super-spy, James Bond. Over the last few weeks, there's been plenty of speculation about where the franchise could go afterwards, with Sony seemingly set to lose the rights, and Craig himself hinting that he's getting tired of the role. One man who won't be returning, is director Sam Mendes.

It's probably worth mentioning that's exactly what he said after Skyfall. Nevertheless, for the moment he appears to have his mind made up. "There's a sense of completeness [with Spectre] that wasn’t there at the end of Skyfall," Mendes claimed, speaking to Deadline, "That's what makes this feel different. 
It feels like there’s a rightness to it, that I have finished a journey."

The Oscar-winning director also touched on the franchise's future, hinting that a fresh start may actually be the best scenario. "You cast a new actor and find a new director, and make something totally new," he proposed. "I can, off the top of my head, give you three or four ideas for where it could go next. They’re all daring and big. To me, the enemy is repetition and laziness, and the great danger is not challenging the preexisting format."

"These are my two chapters of the Bond myth. Someone else is going to write a chapter or 10 or 50, because Bond is strong enough for that, and because there’s enough to play with. Daniel may absolutely turn around six months’ time and feel his energy renewed. Or he might say just the opposite. If he is as sensible as I think he is, he needs to go away and have some time to think and do another job that’s completely different, which he’s already doing with Othello."

Where do you think the franchise can go from here? Do you agree with Mendes, or would you prefer to see both he and Craig return one last time? Sound off with your thoughts below!

Spectre is out in theatres across the US & UK now. You can check out my review for CBM HERE!
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EricBorder
EricBorder - 11/6/2015, 7:49 AM
Nice, I still have to see Spectre, I really liked Craig as Bond

It'll be interesting to see where they take the franchise
LEVITIKUZ
LEVITIKUZ - 11/6/2015, 8:32 AM
Hey @Minty so I was checking the Hall of Fame for some reason and noticed this.





;)
JamesMann
JamesMann - 11/6/2015, 8:34 AM
Seeing Spectre this tomorrow, can't wait!

Craig still has one more film under contract so he's gotta stick around!
JamesMann
JamesMann - 11/6/2015, 8:36 AM
*cue more fancastings that'll never happen*
JSamueliaml8
JSamueliaml8 - 11/6/2015, 8:36 AM
Seeing Spectre in a couple hours, plan on doing a full review and my top 5 choices for Bond next.
Brainiac13
Brainiac13 - 11/6/2015, 8:36 AM
You cast a new actor and find a new director

So does this confirm we're getting a new Bond?
DannRamm113
DannRamm113 - 11/6/2015, 8:37 AM
Saw it last night, will probably post my thoughts later, all i can say is i still want craig and waltz needs to return!
rabid
rabid - 11/6/2015, 8:39 AM
Fire Craig. Reboot. Set it in the past. Add a dash of humor and some cool sci fi gadgetry. It's a formula that worked for decades. Everything since Casino Royale has been tasteless, bland and indistinguishable from any other spy thriller.
JamesMann
JamesMann - 11/6/2015, 8:39 AM
@Brainiac13

It sounds like he's more saying that's one avenue that's open. He then says he's got 3-4 other ideas for the series, whatever they might be.
Ruin818
Ruin818 - 11/6/2015, 8:40 AM
Caught Spectre last night and I loved it.. It def feels like if Craig walked away, his story is complete and Spectre did kinda make it hard for a sequel. I loved how all the previous films tied into this and even tho the actors are not in this film, previous characters very much dictated Bond.
JamesMann
JamesMann - 11/6/2015, 8:40 AM
@rabid

Ruin818
Ruin818 - 11/6/2015, 8:40 AM
But yes. Craig and Waltz should/could DEF come back!
Brainiac13
Brainiac13 - 11/6/2015, 8:44 AM
@JamesMann

Do you want Craig to continue? or Mr Cavill stepping into his shoes...

Brainiac13
Brainiac13 - 11/6/2015, 8:45 AM
Brainiac13
Brainiac13 - 11/6/2015, 8:47 AM
I want him to be the next Bond....

Minty
Minty - 11/6/2015, 8:47 AM
Haha no chance LEVI ;)

JamesMann
JamesMann - 11/6/2015, 8:47 AM
@Brainiac13

Having not seen Spectre yet I can't fully say but yes, I'd love Craig to be in one more film. Cavill would be great but I want one more movie out of Craig first! He'll have Superman to tide him over until then!
JamesMann
JamesMann - 11/6/2015, 8:49 AM
While it most certainly wasn't real in the original films, I'd like for them to do the 007 name as a codename for a new agent to explain why the new actor is called James Bond. It would be a way to reboot without rebooting.
DallasAvenger
DallasAvenger - 11/6/2015, 8:49 AM
Saw it last night, loved it, except I thought the action sequences weren't quite up to the level I expect, the performances were great, looking forward to the next one whether or not Craig sticks around, but got to keep this M, Q, and Moneypenny. Love all three too much.
DallasAvenger
DallasAvenger - 11/6/2015, 8:54 AM
I'd cast 35 year old British actor I've never heard of as the next Bond. I think he would be great.
GhostDog
GhostDog - 11/6/2015, 9:03 AM
The next Bond

GhostDog
GhostDog - 11/6/2015, 9:04 AM
@RetroFit DAN STEVENS!!! YES! He's a great actor.
JamesMann
JamesMann - 11/6/2015, 9:22 AM
Honestly, yeah, Dan Stevens or Henry Cavill would be perfect I think.
MrAmerica
MrAmerica - 11/6/2015, 9:29 AM
I agree Henry Cavill would be an awesome Bond, he was good in The Man from Uncle. I also think Denis Villeneuve or Christopher Nolan should direct the next chapter.
LEVITIKUZ
LEVITIKUZ - 11/6/2015, 9:31 AM
@Minty :)

imkennypowers
imkennypowers - 11/6/2015, 9:55 AM
@Gusto

Thought you might enjoy this:
http://uproxx.com/sports/2015/11/matthew-stafford-detroit-lions-reactions/

But you'll enjoy this a little less:
imkennypowers
imkennypowers - 11/6/2015, 9:57 AM
Come on, @Minty. This should've been your response:

hahahaha
McGee
McGee - 11/6/2015, 10:15 AM
I saw it last night. Even though they sorta pulled a Star Trek Into Darkness, it didn't suck. I liked it.
MrBurns
MrBurns - 11/6/2015, 11:56 AM
This scene in 'The Guest' is basically Dan Stevens' audition for the next Bond. I'm hoping Craig does at least another one though.



I thought Spectre was awesome. It was better than Skyfall in some ways, but not in others.

It will be interesting to see which director they go for next.
JorL5150
JorL5150 - 11/6/2015, 12:30 PM
@Gusto likes his prune juice shaken, not stirred.
JorL5150
JorL5150 - 11/6/2015, 12:32 PM
SuperCat would make a great james bond too
dreamactor
dreamactor - 11/6/2015, 12:52 PM
There has rumours That the Franchise & it future. Sam Mandes is talking about moving on & they should get a new Director. Daniel Craig not sure about him with the Franchise. But I do want to do one more 007 movie. Daniel Craig may not reach do 7 Bond movies only up to 5 as I hope but I hoping instead of Delay of 3 years Sam Mandes can stay on to direct 1 more Bond movie. It will be silly Daniel Craig doing 4 Bond movies like his predecessors Brosnan who done 4. Although I never liked him. But let hope Bond 25 in 2017 with Daniel Craig returning as 007.
SpunkKing
SpunkKing - 11/6/2015, 2:01 PM
There are, sadly, no actors I can think of who would make a great Bond next.
So, I'm hoping they get someone who hasn't even been discussed. I'm just glad to be rid of Sam Mendes. He dumped the quick cuts from the action scenes that made "Casino Royale" and "Quantum of Solace" (Yep, I said it. So, hate me already.) so outstanding! They harkened back to "Thunderball" and "OHMSS". Peter Hunt, who edited Bond till "OHMSS" said the key was to take out frames of film that hurt the actions pacing. Based on "Skyfall", haven't seen "Spectre" yet, Mendes wants the action to be at a regular pace.
That's just not Bond. "Quantum..." opens with, perhaps, Bond's best, though too brief, car chase. I doubt Mendes would agree. And, though he stole the setting for Craig's fight with Dave Bauttista from "From Russia with Love", I doubt this can live up to THAT fight. Guess, like the fate of the entire series, only time will tell.
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