It's official: Sam Mendes to return for Bond 24

It's been one of the hottest directorial topics of the year: will Sam Mendes return to the big chair to helm the next Bond or won't he? After the excellent "Skyfall" surged past a billion Washington's at the global box office many a Bond fan was clamoring for him to sign on for another go. But while producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson also made it pretty clear they wanted him back Mendes himself hedged due to a full work slate. Happy to report though that the producers agreed to push back their production schedule enough to allow Mendes to fullfill his obligations and in return he's signed on.

In a statement released today the director said, "I am very pleased that by giving me the time I need to honour all my theatre commitments, the producers have made it possible for me to direct Bond 24. I very much look forward to taking up the reins again, and to working with Daniel Craig, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for a second time.”

Broccoli and Wilson released a statement of their own: "Following the extraordinary success of Skyfall, we're really excited to be working once again with Daniel Craig, Sam Mendes and John Logan.”

The as-yet untitled Bond 24 is due to hit theaters in October 2015.