When 2012's Skyfall became the most successful James Bond film of all time — raking in more than $1 billion worldwide — producers were eager to get the movie's creative team signed on for a second adventure. Director Sam Mendes was their top priority, and though it took a bit of convincing, Mendes eventually agreed to a second go-round.
But don't bother hoping for a hat trick. Mendes says he's done after the next one.
The director is one of a lucky few who's able to go back and forth between film and stage. On the big screen, Mendes' work includes American Beauty, Road to Perdition and Jarhead. On the stage, Mendes is responsible for a number of acclaimed runs on productions like Cabaret, Oliver!, Twelfth Night and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
"I don't think I could go down that road again," Mendes told the BBC, noting that the two Bond films have taken him five years total to make. "It really is more a lifestyle choice than a job."
The "lifestyle choice" Mendes refers to is the enormous undertaking that is crafting a modern James Bond film. Spectre is believed to be the biggest Bond movie to date, with a budget rumored to exceed $300 million. Production has taken place in a wide range of globe-trotting destinations that include Mexico City, Rome, Tangiers, the Alps, the northern Sahara and, of course, London.
Spectre stars Daniel Craig in his fourth turn as Bond, and follows-up on the events of Skyfall. When a mystery from Bond's past resurfaces, 007 is sent on a dangerous mission to uncover a sinister organization with a global reach. Meanwhile, the new M (Ralph Fiennes) must fight power players in the British government to keep MI6 from being shut down.
Also starring Christoph Waltz, Léa Seydoux, Andrew Scott, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw, Dave Bautista and Monica Bellucci, Spectre arrives in theaters this Nov. 6.
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