Sam Mendes ‘Skyfall’ Director Unsure About Returning For ‘Bond 24,’ Busy With Musical ‘Charlie And The Chocolate Factory’

Sam Mendes had huge success last year with "Skyfall," the latest installment in the James Bond franchise. However, the director has not yet made a decision as to whether or not he will return to direct "Bond 24," the next Bond film slated for release in 2016.

In an interview yesterday with HeyUGuys at the premiere of his new West End musical "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," Mendes said: "In answer to the question you're going to ask, I don't know yet. I'm in discussion over the 'B' word and I won't make any decision until this is open. It's taken a long time to get this open and this has been my focus."

Mendes announced this year in March that he wouldn't be returning for the 24th Bond film because of "theatre and other commitments." He even went so far as to say that the idea of directing another Bond flick made him feel "physically ill," The Telegraph reports. However, in May it was reported that the director was "in talks" to helm the Bond film, NME reports.

Mendes' indecision comes as a surprise, after "Skyfall" became the most successful Bond film ever at the box office, grossing over $1.1 billion worldwide.

Nevertheless, Daniel Craig will return as 007 for the next two Bond films, as will writer John Logan.

The musical "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" will run until May 31, 2014, so it may be a while before Mendes makes his decision or commits to further projects.