LOS ANGELES: James Bond got another lease at life at the box-office, when ‘Skyfall’ released last year in November to critical acclaim as well as box-office figures. The producers, obviously very happy with this, asked the director Sam Mendes to return for ‘Bond 24’, and he has finally said yes.

The producers had asked Sam Mendes to direct ‘Bond 24’ a long time ago, just after the release of the film, but as he was caught up with the West End theater adaptation of ‘Charlie And The Chocolate Factory’, the director had not yet accepted or declined the offer. But now, as he has gotten free, he will be back to guide Daniel Craig’s 007 agent.

John Logan, who wrote Skyfall, was immediately put to work on ‘Bond 24’ and ‘Bond 25’ which were thought to be a two-parter. But now, there is no indication of the latter being a continuation of the ‘Bond 24’.

‘Bond 24’ will bring back Daniel Craig as Bond, Ben Whishaw as Q, Ralph Fiennes as the new M and Naomie Harris as the new Moneypenny. The question is who will be the Bond villain played with so much class and villainy by Javier Bardem in Skyfall. Also, the part of the Bond Girl is up for grabs again.

‘Bond 24’ will release in UK on 23 October, 2015 and in the US on 6 November, 2015. The release dates for India are not yet fixed.