Sam Mendes changes his mind, in talks to return for `Bond 24`

Los Angeles: Director Sam Mendes, who had once said that he will not be helming the next Bond project, has taken his words back and is now in negotiations to reunite with Daniel Craig in the upcoming Agent 007 film. "Directing `Skyfall` was one of the best experiences of my professional life... I very much hope I have a chance to work with them again sometime in the future," Mendes said. Earlier, it was reported that EON Productions and Sony have kept several great names considered for the gig. Ang Lee and Nicolas Winding Refn are named candidates to take the director`s seat. Also said to be in the mix of contenders are Tom Hooper, David Yates and Shane Black, whose latest film, ‘Iron Man 3’, was a hit at box office. If Mendes ends up serving behind the lens for the project, he will reunite with John Logan, who wrote ‘Skyfall’ and is attached to pen the upcoming Bond movie. "Bond 24" is set for a 2016 release. Following great success garnered by ‘Skyfall’, Mendes was once asked to return. However, due to commitments to stage productions of ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ and ‘King Lear’, the 47-year-old Englishman passed on the project. "It has been a very difficult decision not to accept producers - Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli`s very generous offer to direct the next Bond movie," Mendes had said. PTI