James Bond: Spectre director Sam Mendes says film felt like Daniel Craig's 'goodbye' to the franchise

'He needs to have a break and do another role and see how he feels after that'

Daniel Craig's James Bond in Casino Royal (Eon Productions)

Way before the release of Spectre people were discussing who should replace Daniel Craig as the next James Bond.

In various interviews, Craig only fuelled rumours he wouldn't be returning to the franchise, at one point saying he’d rather “slash his wrists” than play 007 again.

However, his departure has been denied by camps at Sony, yet Craig hasn’t committed himself to returning yet. Spectre director Sam Mendes has hinted that the 2015 film was in some ways the actor saying goodbye to Bond.

"It did feel to me like Daniel was saying goodbye to Bond at the end", he told Empire at their awards show.

Mendes quickly clarified: ”but there’s clearly a way he can easily come back. Bond isn’t dead! So that’s clearly Daniel’s call. But I think you’ve got to feel 100% to come back, and I think he knows that.

“He needs to have a break and do another role and see how he feels after that. I’ll be watching with as much interest as you guys.”

According to the report, development on Bond 25 is set to begin imminently. No cast or director have been announced for the film but it is widely expected that Christoph Waltz will return.

In other “who could be the next Bond” news, Aiden Turner and Tom Hiddleston have become frontrunners to replace Craig, having both starred in separate very popular BBC Sunday night dramas.