Ang Lee, Tom Hooper, Shane Black On The Bond Director Shortlist; But Sam Mendes Will Be Back

Eon Productions and Sony Pictures have crafted a short list of directors for the next James Bond film that includes Nicolas Winding Refn (Drive), Ang Lee (Life of Pi), Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech), David Yates (Harry Potter films) and Shane Black (Iron Man 3), but Deadline is reporting that Skyfall director Sam Mendes will be back in the director’s chair for the film!

The studio hesitates in decision making because of details in Daniel Craig‘s contract are still being hammered out.

There’s no mention of Christopher Nolan, rumored to helm the film two weeks ago. But the latest report suggests that Sam Mendes may have had a change of heart, or producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli may overcome resignation about his decision to focus on other projects.

Whatsoever, Mendes is now making a deal to start production probably next year, but neither MGM nor Sony would comment. All signs are pointing towards a 2015 or 2016 release date, rather than the earlier planned two-year turn around between each film.

Mendes has always been first choice for James Bond 24, so it wouldn’t surprise me.

How about you?