While there have been reports that the future of James Bond on the big screen is on the rocks, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that British director Sam Mendes could be at the helm of the 23rd film of the franchise.
Producers expressed their doubts, since MGM, who holds the rights to Agent 007, has been experiencing grave financial problems, and is expected to be sold in the near future. It was also announced that production for the next James Bond flick and The Hobbit films have been given the red light.
However, the studio denies the recent reports. Currently, negotiations are underway with Sam Mendes (Revolutionary Road, American Beauty) to direct the 23rd James Bond film, which is yet-untitled.
Mendes has already once directed Daniel Craig, who stars as the current Bond, in the 2002 film Road to Perdition, which also starred Tom Hanks and Paul Newman.
Mendes has been married to Kate Winslet since 2003, and they have a son, Joe Alfie Winslet Mendes.
The next projects on the table for Mendes are Preacher and Middlemarch, slated for 2011, and Netherland, expected out in 2013.