Sam Mendes critical and commercial success, becoming the 14th film to gross over $1 billion worldwide. Following the success of "Skyfall", Mendes was asked if he was returning to direct the next Bond film. He responded, "I felt I put everything I possibly could into this film and it was the Bond film I wanted to make. And if I felt I could do the same again, then absolutely I would consider doing another one. But it is a big task and I wouldn't do it unless I knew I could." It was reported that one reason Mendes was reluctant to commit
James Bond filmography earlier portrayed him. The "Daily Mirror" ran a front-page news story critical of Craig, with the headline, "The Name's Bland – James Bland". Craig first played Bond in the 2006 film "Casino Royale", an adaptation of Fleming's novel of the same name and a reboot of the Eon series, which saw Bond earn his 00 status. Despite the negative press on his appointment, Craig was widely praised by critics and former Bonds after the release of "Casino Royale", believing him to have been the first actor to truly nail Fleming's character in the book: Todd McCarthy, reviewing the film for