Sam Mendes, the director of Skyfall - the most successful Bond film of all time - has officially confirmed to Empire that he will not be behind the camera for Bond 24, having declined an offer from Bond producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.

The Oscar-winning Brit explained "It has been a very difficult decision not to accept Michael and Barbara’s very generous offer to direct the next Bond movie", Mendes said, explaining "but I have theatre and other commitments, including productions of Charlie And The Chocolate Factory and King Lear, that need my complete focus over the next year and beyond".

Daniel Craig is set to return as 007 for the fourth time in Bond 24 which is scheduled for a 2014 release, so a year off pursuing theatre projects would firmly rule Mendes out of the running. A script for the next Bond film is currently being penned by Skyfall co-writer John Logan who is contracted to write the next two Bond outings.