After taking a four-year hiatus, James Bond returns this November in Skyfall, a film that moviegoers have been buzzing about ever since it was announced. Longtime fans of the franchise have been craving a Bond fix ever since  Quantum of Solace, which was largely considered a disappointment. Although Bond's extended leave of absence may be the root of all the hubbub, much of the Skyfall hype can be attributed to the talent and creative vision of the film's Academy Award-winning director, Sam Mendes.

Mendes has enjoyed a lengthy career of commercial and critical successes (American Beauty, Road to Perdition) and although the early reviews for his work on Skyfall are overwhelmingly positive, it appears that the film will be his one and only entry in the beloved James Bond franchise.

Mendes recently told Metro UK that the massive work load and the emotional roller-coaster ride he experienced while making the film took a lot out of him. He expressed doubts at returning to direct another Bond film, although he is proud of what he was able to do with Skyfall.

"It's been a fantastic experience, but it's been completely exhausting," said Mendes. "Do I want to do another one? I'm a shadow of my former self. [laughs] No, I don't know. I felt like everything I wanted to with a Bond movie, I put into this film. So I would have to be convinced that I could do something that I loved and cared about as much if I was to do it again. I think the great risk of repeating oneself is that one doesn't have the great store of ideas that you have when you first tackle a project."

Daniel Craig and Sam Mendes, star and director of 'Skyfall'

Skyfall has certainly been a major undertaking for the director. He and the film were hampered with a number of production setbacks caused by the public financial woes of MGM. However, an adaptable Mendes turned this into a positive  for the film by spending more time rehearsing and doing script read-throughs with the cast, which producer Barbara Broccoli noted was a first for the Bond franchise.

The film has obviously benefited from Mendes' creative energy and leadership on set, but Skyfall has been undoubtedly bolstered by an incredible cast including Oscar-winner Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men), Oscar-nominee Ralph Fiennes (The English Patient) and Naomie Harris (Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End), who has the fortune of becoming the latest Bond girl. Of course, this collection of actors will join the stellar returning stars, Daniel Craig and Judi Dench.

Even if Mendes does not return for another installment, don't expect the action-packed Bond series to go anywhere anytime soon. Be sure to look for Skyfall when it hits theatres on November 9 and get a glimpse of what to expect from the latest trailer.

Source: Metro UK