Quantum of Solace pretty much set the bar low on Bond film expectations, so its succeeding director could easily jump over it with the next Bond film. When Sam Mendes‘ Skyfall came out late last year, the bar immediately was raised sky high. Touted as one of the best Bond films in its 50-year span, Skyfall went on to be a box office hit and even a BAFTA award winner. But its sequel is still without a director.

In a rare move, however, The Daily Mail reports that Mendes could return to direct Bond 24. According to them, there is a 75 percent chance that he will come back for a second time. Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli have gone on to say that they would like to see the director return for a second time. Rumor was that the next two films on Daniel Craig‘s contract will have a connective storyline. Something that Mendes has said he doesn’t really look forward to, which explained his hesitancy to come back, and Craig has denied.

Skyfall
Directed by Sam Mendes
Starring Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Bérénice Marlohe, Albert Finney, Judi Dench, Ben Whishaw, Rory Kinnear, Ola Rapace
MGM/Columbia Pictures
Rated PG-13 | 143 Minutes
Release Date: November 9, 2012

In Skyfall, James Bond (Daniel Craig) fails to recover a drive containing sensitive information, resulting in the exposure of undercover NATO agents in terrorist organizations.

Meanwhile, the enigmatic criminal mastermind Silva (Javier Bardem) orchestrates an attack on MI6 headquarters that kills several agents.

Chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee Gareth Mallory (Ralph Finnes) raises concerns about M’s (Judi Dench) competence as head of the Secret Intelligence Service. It seems the only person who can restore M’s reputation is Bond. James Bond.

Directed by Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Revolutionary Road), Skyfall is the 23rd installment of the long-running spy series, featuring an all-star ensemble that includes Naomie Harris as Eve, Ben Whishaw as Q, Bérénice Marlohe as Sévérine, and Albert Finney as Kincade.

Martin Campbell’s 2006 film, Casino Royale, rebooted the James Bond series, establishing a new timeline and narrative framework, allowing the film to show a less experienced, more vulnerable Bond. The film introduced Daniel Craig (Layer Cake) and was praised for its dark, realistic reboot of the series – in the spirit of Batman Begins.

Directors are presented with many opportunities to helm a variety of projects. In Sam Mendes case he took on a film called Preacher, which never could get off the ground, and took a pass at The Avengers, which ended up becoming a blockbuster hit. But that’s okay, he can take comfort in knowing that Skyfall is a critical hit and is sure to be a box office smash stateside.

In an interview with Collider, Mendes explains why Preacher couldn’t get into production and why he passed on the chance to direct The Avengers.

There are a set of new character posters and a new banner for the upcoming James Bond flick Skyfall. This sleek new poster doesn’t feature any floating heads or crazy photoshop skills at work; instead we have our four characters: Daniel Craig as James Bond, Bérénice Marlohe as Sévérine, Javier Bardem as, and Naomie Harris as Eve, standing side-by-side. Of course there’s also the traditional character posters as well. Feel free to check them out below.

I think there’s something about a blond Javier Bardem that really intrigues me. Plus he looks like he is having a blast playing as the Bond villain.

Q, the aging techie/gadget support man in the James Bond franchise was clearly absent in the last two films. Now Sam Mendes is bringing him back for Skyfall, only he will be a little bit younger than most James Bond fans remember.

In the film, Q will be played by Ben Whishaw, and you can check out the first full image of him as the popular character below.