12 Jul – After the Oscar-winning director said he would not be returning four months ago, Sam Mendes had just recently announced that he will continue to direct the 24th instalment of the "Bond" film. "I am very pleased that by giving me the time I need to honour all my theatre commitments, the producers have made it possible for me to direct "Bond 24". I very much look forward to taking up the reins again, and to working with Daniel Craig, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for a second time," said Mendes. Mendes had been working on London's West End theatrical production of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", which opened at on 23 June. He's also directing Shakespeare's "King Lear", which will open in January 2014.
"Skyfall", the twenty third James Bond film, had set a new mark as the highest-grossing film of all time in the U.K. and it is the best-selling Bond film on DVD and Blu-ray to date. It was also the most critically acclaimed film in the history of the longest-running film franchise. With Daniel Craig returning as the iconic British secret agent along with Penelope Cruz as the new Bond Girl, the film is set for release in cinemas by late 2015.