James Bond 25 director: Does THIS prove Sam Mendes will return to finish his 007 trilogy?

The Oscar-winning filmmaker is known for directing the last two James Bond films, but apparently Spectre was his last – or was it?

Now Mendes has dropped out of latest project sparking rumours he’s returning to 007.

According to the Hollywood Reported the director has exited Disney’s live-action adaptation of Pinocchio.

While a reason hasn’t been given, could he have been persuaded to complete not only Craig’s Bond arc, but also his 007 film trilogy?

After all with Bond 25 rumoured to be called Shatterhand, this would be three 007 movies in a row for Mendes beginning with the letter S, following Skyfall and Spectre.

Why bring on a new director when Craig’s 2019 outing is his fifth and final? 

It would make much more sense for Mendes to return and then hand the baton on to other filmmakers like Christopher Nolan or Denis Villeneuve who have both expressed interest in helming a Bond movie at some point in the future.

However both visionary filmmakers are not ready now, with Nolan admitting he’d want to reinvent Bond and Villeneuve saying he’s working on his Dune reboot.

So could Sam Mendes be persuaded by Craig and producers to return? Fans will have to wait and see.

James Bond 25 will be released in UK cinemas in November 2019.