MUMBAI: Sam Mendes, who directed the last Bond film Skyfall, has announced that he won‘t be directing the 24th James Bond film citing time-consuming theatre commitments.

"It has been a very difficult decision not accepting Michael and Barbar‘s very generous offer to direct the next Bond movie," Mendes said. "Directing Skyfall was one of the best experiences of my professional life, 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," he added.

Skyfall has crossed the $ 1.1 billion mark to become the highest-grossing film ever at the British box office.

Daniel Craig, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw and Ralph Fiennes will all reprise their roles in the forthcoming action flick that is to go on the floors early next year.