Skyfall director Sam Mendes, 47, has confirmed he will not be directing the next Bond film. Skyfall became the highest grossing film in the franchise’s 50-year history and it was the first to break the $1 billion mark at the box office. Mendes has also been credited for bringing a rich depth and complexity to Daniel Craig’s Bond character. So it was no surprise that Mendes was approached by Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, part of the Bond producing team, with a generous offer to film the next 007 film. Although we look forward to the next installment, Mendes’ decision to decline the offer was due to other projects he has lined up this year that require his complete focus, including stage productions of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and King Lear. He hasn’t ruled out the idea of coming back to helm future Bond films, stating, “I feel very honored to have been part of the Bond family and very much hope I have a chance to work with them again sometime in the future.” ~E. Guevarra