Last month, we reported that Skyfall director Sam Mendes was "75 percent sure" that he is coming back to make Bond 24. Today, however, the filmmaker himself revealed that he turned down the offer to return from producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. Here's what he had to say about this "very difficult decision."

"It has been a very difficult decision not to accept Michael and Barbara's very generous offer to direct the next Bond movie. 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. "I feel very honored to have been part of the Bond family, and very much hope I have a chance to work with them again sometime in the future"."

Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson also released a brief statement, which indicates they hope the filmmaker comes back for another 007 movie sometime down the road.

"We thoroughly enjoyed working with Sam, he directed our most successful Bond movie ever, Skyfall. We would have loved to have made the next film with him but completely respect his decision to focus on other projects and hope to have the opportunity to collaborate with him again."

Daniel Craig, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, and Ben Whishaw are returning for Bond 24, with John Logan currently working on the screenplay.