Sam Mendes not returning to direct the next James Bond film Sam Mendes confirmed today that he will not direct the next James Bond film, according to the Associated Press. Speaking at the Hay Festival in Wales, the Skyfall and SPECTRE director said: “It was an incredible adventure, I loved every second of it, but I think it’s time for somebody else.” Mendes added that he hoped the next James Bond director would come from an “unexpected direction,” just as he had. “I’m a storyteller.