Daniel Craig to Star in 23rd James Bond Movie, Sam Mendes to Direct

Daniel Craig will once again play James Bond in the 23rd movie in the series about the British spy created by author Ian Fleming, according to a report in Variety. Sam Mendes will direct the as yet untitled project.

The movie will have a screenplay by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan. Filming is scheduled to begin in 2010 and the film is scheduled for a November 9, 2012 release.

Craig has played Bond (aka 007) twice before in Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace. Among his other film credits are Defiance, Munich, and Road to Perdition, as well as the forthcoming Cowboys and Aliens and The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo. He starred opposite Hugh Jackman on Broadway in A Steady Rain. His stage credits also include Angels in America, Hurlyburly, and A Number.

Mendes’ Broadway credits include Tony Award-winning revival of Cabaret, The Blue Room, and the revival of Gypsy starring Bernadette Peters. He also directed numerous productions for The Bridge Project, including The Tempest, and is the artistic director of the Donmar Warehouse. He won the Academy Award for Best Director for American Beauty.