'James Bond 24' confirmed for 2014

James Bond will hit the screens again in 2014, it has been revealed.

The next 007 outing, Skyfall, is due for release this year, but the 24th move in the classic spy franchise has now been officially announced. The plans were revealed by the Sony Pictures president of worldwide distribution Rory Bruer at CinemaCon, according to ComingSoon.net.

Bruer made the announcement following a screening of the teaser trailer for Skyfall, which revealed a sequence of quick-cut sequences from star Daniel Craig, alongside Judi Dench and Ralph Fiennes.

Daniel Craig confirmed for at least two more Bond movies

Daniel Craig will star in at least two more James Bond movies after Skyfall, his upcoming third outing as 007.

Last week (September 7), it was reported on a notable 007 fan site that the actor was contracted for "at least five" Bond films, meaning that he still has two left to shoot.

Craig's roles in the the 24th and 25th Bond films have now been confirmed by Deadline. Both films will be co-financed by Eon Productions and Sony Pictures, who also teamed up for Skyfall and Craig's previous outings as 007, Casino Royale and Quantum Of Solace.

After completing work on all five movies, Craig will become the third most prolific Bond in history. Sean Connery and Roger Moore played the secret agent in seven movies each. Craig could yet sign up for further appearances as 007.

'Sherlock' star Benedict Cumberbatch to play Bond villain?

Benedict Cumberbatch is reportedly being lined up to play the next Bond villain.

According to The Express, the Sherlock actor could square up to Daniel Craig in the 24th Bond movie, which is expected to come out in 2014.

A source apparently told the tabloid: "Benedict is considered perfect Bond villain material. Work on the next film will begin next year and the plan is for Benedict to be on board. He grew up watching Bond, so it would be a childhood ambition fulfilled. Playing a Bond villain is one of the plum roles in film history and he'd jump at the chance."

Cumberbatch, 36, has been increasingly in demand since Sherlock became a big international hit. He is already set to play the villain in the new Star Trek movie, due next year, and also has a role in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit trilogy.

At the end of August (2012), he was cast alongside Meryl Streep in August Osage County, a Hollywood adaptation of an award-winning stage play. He has also found time to film a cameo in The Simpsons.

'Skyfall' director Sam Mendes could return for next Bond film

Skyfall director Sam Mendes has admitted that he would consider making another Bond film.

Mendes, 47, is the first British director to helm a Bond movie since Michael Apted, who called the shots on 1999's The World Is Not Enough. Mendes started out as a theatre director, before breaking into film with American Beauty, winner of five Oscars in 2000.

Daniel Craig, who makes his third appearance as 007 in Skyfall, is believed to have signed up for another two Bond movies. When asked about joining him on 007's next mission, Mendes told Time Out: "I've enjoyed it enough to do it again. I think the choice is in the audience's hands. If people love the movie and they want to see another one from the same people who brought you Skyfall, then that would mean a lot to me. I would feel like, 'Well, actually there are people who really want to see it'."

However, Mendes also admitted that he would only return if he believed that he could match Skyfall. He explained: "I feel like I've put everything I want to do with a Bond movie into this Bond movie. I would have to feel the same again to do another one. So, it would take a lot of thought to try and make it as special to me as this. I'm knackered, but I've loved it."

'Skyfall' writer John Logan to script next two Bond movies

Skyfall's John Logan has been hired to write the next two Bond movies.

Daniel Craig will star in a brand new 007 story spread over two separate films, after Logan's pitch for a two-parter was accepted by Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Logan has already started writing his two screenplays, which are not based on original works by Ian Fleming.

Logan is credited as co-writer on Skyfall after he reworked the original script by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade. His impressive screenwriting CV already includes Hugo, The Aviator and Sweeney Todd, all of which he wrote solo. As a co-writer, Logan also contributed to Gladiator and The Last Samurai.

Daniel Craig was confirmed for at least two more Bond movies back in September (2012). Meanwhile, Skyfall director Sam Mendes has admitted that he would consider returning, depending on how the audience responds to his first Bond film.

His impressive screenwriting CV already includes Hugo, The Aviator and Sweeney Todd, all of which he wrote solo.

I was under the impression that Craig was signing up for 5 additional Bond films *after* Skyfall---not that he was just doing 5 total. I guess that makes more sense but part of me was hoping he'd end up doing 8 and take the lead. And hell, if they do one every other year again, I could easily see that happening.

Well, as long as you don't count the books and musical they were based on.

Report: 'Skyfall' director Sam Mendes likely to return for next Bond film

Skyfall director Sam Mendes is likely to return for the 24th Bond film, says a new report.

Back in October (2012), Mendes admitted that he would consider helming another 007 adventure, saying: "I think the choice is in the audience's hands." Skyfall has since become the most successful Bond movie ever at the box office, grossing over $1.1 billion (£710 million) worldwide.

According to the Daily Mail, Mendes is now "75% of the way" towards committing to the follow-up. The director apparently wants to see a finished script before he signs up.

John Logan, who also worked on Skyfall, has been hired to write it and is believed to have devised a plot outline already. Daniel Craig is confirmed for at least two more Bond movies, with Ben Whishaw's Q and the new M played by Ralph Fiennes also set to return.

If Mendes signs up, filming will be unable to begin until early 2014 because of his theatre commitments. He is currently working on a musical version of Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, set to hit the West End in May, and will then direct a new London stage production of King Lear.

James Bond bosses want Adele to sing new theme tune

BOND bosses want Adele to repeat her Skyfall success with a new smash-hit tune.

And by signing her for the next soundtrack they hope she’ll go on to match 007 queen Dame Shirley Bassey.

The Skyfall theme last week landed 24-year-old Adele an Oscar — the first in 47 years of Bond films — to go alongside her Brit Award and Golden Globe gong.

A source said: “Producers are thrilled by how well the song has been received and hope Adele’s presence on the next film will replicate that success.

“They want her to become as synonymous with Bond as Dame Shirley.”

Welsh legend Shirley, 76, had Bond hits with Goldfinger (1964), Diamonds Are Forever (1972) and Moonraker (1979). But none won awards or sold as many as Skyfall’s three million copies worldwide.

Sam Mendes Won't Direct Bond 24

Bond may be back, but Empire can exclusively reveal that Sam Mendes won't be joining him. At the BAFTAs recently, basking in the glow of Skyfall's triumph for Outstanding British Film, it seemed that Mendes, who had previously claimed he would make just the single Bond entry, could be tempted back for another go. But, having bumped into the Oscar-winning director on a barren Scottish glen - or was it a glitzy Macau casino? - he confided in us that he won't be returning to direct Bond 24.

“It has been a very difficult decision not to accept Michael and Barbara’s very generous offer to direct the next Bond movie," explained Mendes. "Directing Skyfall was one of the best experiences of my professional life, but I have theatre and other commitments, including productions of Charlie And The Chocolate Factory and King Lear, that need my complete focus over the next year and beyond."

With Skyfall freshly crossing the $1.1bn mark at the box office and still hoovering up plaudits - it dominates the nominations at this year's Jameson Empire Awards - the news will no doubt be a blow to producers Broccoli and Wilson. Then again, with a freshly reinvigorated franchise to oversee and actors of the calibre of Daniel Craig, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw and Ralph Fiennes to work with, there'll be no shortage of high-calibre applicants to pick from for Bond 24.

If his gifted direction of dramatic beats came as no surprise to movie-watchers, Mendes' adroit handling of Bond's action sequences wowed fans and elevated Skyfall to critical and commercial echelons previously never enjoyed by a Bond movie. For his part, the 47 year old director refuses to rule out the possibility of a Martin Campbell-like return to the franchise in years to come. "I feel very honoured to have been part of the Bond family", said Mendes, "and very much hope I have a chance to work with them again sometime in the future".

A response from Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli has just reached us, and it more than leaves the door open to a Mendes return. "We thoroughly enjoyed working with Sam, he directed our most successful Bond movie ever, Skyfall. We would have loved to have made the next film with him but completely respect his decision to focus on other projects and hope to have the opportunity to collaborate with him again."

So there you have it. It's a sad farewell - for now - from Mendes to Bond, and a big question about who will direct the next film.

and a big question about who will direct the next film.

Is Danny Boyle Interested In Being The Next James Bond Director?

As artistic director for the London Olympic Games, Danny Boyle had a brush with James Bond, featuring current 007 Daniel Craig in a parachute stunt that found Britain’s beloved spy skydiving with the Queen during the. Boyle-directed opening ceremonies. Now that Sam Mendes officially has passed on directing Bond 24, would the Slumdog Millionaire and 127 Hours director like to take a crack at a feature-length Bond story?

It’s a question I posed to Boyle at the conclusion of a roundtable interview today at the South By Southwest film festival. He was in Austin to drum up support for his latest feature, Trance, and enjoy a bit of a career retrospective at the Vimeo Theatre (our coverage from that even will be on the site shortly). When I asked about Bond, a large smile broke across Boyle’s face as he contemplated the answer:

"It’s not for me, I’m afraid,” Boyle said with a laugh. “Because of the Bond thing in the Olympics, I visited the [Skyfall] set a few times and saw Sam, Barbara Broccoli, Michael Wilson and Daniel Craig and everybody. They’re different kinds of films, you know? They’re huge. They’re just huge. They wouldn’t get the best out of me, doing that sort of thing.”

I politely disagree with Mr. Boyle, and would love for him to be able to put his kinetic visual stamp on the Bond franchise. One of the reasons I think Skyfall works as well as it does is that there was a tangible sense of urgency to Bond’s mission that was lacking in the most recent films (at least, the films prior to Casino Royale). Boyle spoke during the Vimeo presentation about wanting to be able to pin audience members to the backs of the seats with his urgent storytelling. That would work for a Bond film, no?

Next James Bond movie expected within 3 years : MGM

Movie studio MGM said on Tuesday it expects to release the next James Bond movie within three years, and hopes to announce soon a new director after Sam Mendes decided to move on.

In a conference call with investors, MGM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Gary Barber said the studio was developing the screenplay for the next, 24th movie in the 50-year-old franchise about the British secret agent.

"We are very excited about the franchise, we look forward to announcing a director soon," Barber said.

"We are currently developing the screenplay and working with our partners. We look forward to developing the script soon and signing a director. We are hoping within the next 3 years it will be released," Barber added.

He gave no details on casting but Daniel Craig has already signed on for two more films in the lead role as the suave 007 agent.

The 2012 Bond film "Skyfall," starring Craig, made $1.1 billion at the global box office and impressed critics. But Britain's Mendes said earlier this month that he wanted to focus on his theater projects for the foreseeable future.

Barber said Mendes "did an amazing job on 'Skyfall'. We are very thankful for the work that he did."

Privately-held MGM jointly produced "Skyfall" with Sony Corp's movie studio arm.

MGM said on Monday that "Skyfall" and "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" had helped bring a three-fold increase in its 2012 net income.

Sam Mendes will direct another Bond film, say producers

The producers of the Bond films have vowed to persuade Sam Mendes to direct another 007 adventure.

Mendes' Skyfall has become the most successful film in 007 history, grossing over $1.1 billion (£730 million) at cinemas worldwide, and he was asked to return for the follow-up by producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.

However, the director recently revealed he has turned down their offer due to "theatre and other commitments... that need my complete focus over the next year and beyond".

Now, speaking to Getty Images Entertainment, the producers admitted they are planning to woo Mendes into returning. Broccoli promised: "We will get him back. We haven't given up hope... Maybe not for the next one, but we will get him back again." Wilson then added: "We are working on him. We hope that maybe he will have gotten inspired to come back."

Meanwhile, Mendes himself admitted he hasn't ruled out returning to the franchise, saying: "Bond movies, they need someone working on it now. I'm doing my theatre projects and then I'll work out... I've definitely left the door open though. I've never really repeated myself, done the same type of movie one after the other, so just give me a chance to think about what I actually want to say."

Bruce Willis expresses interest in new Bond movie

YESTERDAY we revealed that film director and Olympics opening ceremony mastermind Danny Boyle won’t be signing up for the next Bond movie.

But while Danny may not be on board another big name has expressed an interest: veteran action hero Bruce Willis.

After Javier Bardem stole scenes as peroxide blond baddie Silva in Skyfall, Bruce has said that after years of playing the good guy he would go bad for Bond.

“I always thought it would be more fun to play bad guys,” says the 58-year-old best known for playing New York policeman John McClane in the Die Hard series.

“I tried it a couple of times but it really wasn’t as much fun as I thought it would be so I’ll stay good unless there’s a James Bond villain offer. That last movie really renewed my love for 007.”