Updated: Sam Mendes to Direct Bond 23

Published by Jeff Leins on January 5, 2010

In a surprise move by MGM, Sam Mendes is in discussions to direct the next untitled James Bond movie currently being referred to as simply Bond 23.

The announcement, via THR’s Heat Vision Blog, refutes claims that the 23rd James Bond movie is on hold due to the sale of MGM.  In fact, production is on the “fast track” and could begin as soon as June 2010 for release sometime in 2011 (my guess is November, where they’ve had recent success).

Update:  Nikki Finke learned that MGM’s financial situation is playing a factor in officially signing Mendes.  Hiring a director to Bond would “trigger a payment from MGM,” which is nearly bankrupt at the moment, so he’s being brought in as a “consultant” for now with the first shot at directing once the script is complete.

Daniel Craig had previously agreed to return as Bond.  Neal Purvis and Robert Wade are writing, as usual, along with Frost/Nixon screenwriter Peter Morgan.

Mendes is known for directing stylish dramas like American Beauty (which won him an Oscar), Revolutionary Road, and Road to Perdition, one of my personal all-time favorites.  The closest the filmmaker has come to Bond’s new style of fast-paced action was Jarhead, and that could hardly be called a thrill ride.  He only recently broke out of his comfort zone with Away We Go, an offbeat comedy albeit with the same visual flair you’re used to seeing from Mendes.

It’s hard to imagine his style meshing with the super-charged spy action of 007, but it’s happening and it’s giving me mixed feelings.  On the one hand I enjoyed the previously-mentioned Mendes movies, and on the opposite side he doesn’t have experience with this sort of big-budget blockbuster.  As a cynic, my fear is he’ll essentially reduce Bond to a more talkative, moody mush, while the logical, optimistic part of me wants to see what Mendes is capable of with the material.  Then I remember Quantum of Solace’s Marc Forster was an odd choice at first, but I was a fan of his take on the franchise.  I’m so conflicted!

What do you think?  Mendes.  Sam Mendes?