Last year’s Skyfall was a massive hit in every single sense of the word.  The film was met with universal praise from critics, with many hailing it as one of the greatest Bond films of all time, and enjoyed an equally enthusiastic response from audiences as the film has thus far grossed over $1 billion worldwide.  Much of the film’s success is due to director Sam Mendes, who crafted a take on the character that was at once familiar and exciting as the filmmaker was able to call back to the Bond films of old while also exploring the question of where a spy like James Bond fits into our modern society.  It’s a wholly thrilling moviegoing experience, and it’s a testament to Skyfall’s quality that it stands as one of the best films of the very crowded 2012.

Soon after Skyfall’s success, the question began to turn to whether Mendes might consider returning to the franchise for the next film.  The director went so far as to come up with another story idea for Bond 24, but it appears that he ultimately won’t be getting back into the director’s chair this time around.  Hit the jump to read on.

Director Tom Hooper was riding high following the success of his 2010 film The King’s Speech, which walked away with a number of Academy Awards including Best Director and Best Picture.  All eyes were on what the filmmaker would choose as his follow-up project, and he raised a few eyeballs by settling on an ambitious adaptation of the musical Les Miserables.  Not only was Hooper mounting a film iteration of one of the most beloved musicals of all time, but he committed to recording all of the actors’ singing live on set; the filmmaker essentially made the opposite of an “easy choice” for his post-King’s Speech film.

Les Miserables recently screened to a passionately positive response, and Steve got the chance to interview Hooper at the film’s New York press junket.  During the course of the conversation, Steve asked if Hooper would be willing to direct a James Bond movie and the possibility of him directing a comic book movie.  Hit the jump to see what he had to say.

Sam Mendes’ James Bond flick, Skyfall, the 23rd installment in the famed franchise, opened strongly in the U.K. with $32 million, but has continued that trend to set a one-week box office record.  Pulling in $60 million, Skyfall beats out previous seven-day record holder, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, which nabbed $57 million in 2011.  Internationally, Skyfall claimed $83 million (up from its initial estimate of $77 million) on its opening day and has since crossed the $100 million mark.  This achievement is especially remarkable considering there’s no ticket price uptick for 3D.  Hit the jump to see what other records Skfyfall has set, and what the positive buzz means for its domestic opening on November 9th.

Even secret agents get thirsty now and then.  While James Bond’s beer tastes may differ from The Most Interesting Man in the World, we now know what he prefers when he’s not drinking a martini shaken, not stirred.  Daniel Craig and Bond Girl Berenice Marlohe appear in this new action-packed ad for Heineken.  The spot features a non-Bond running away from some ne’er-do-wells when he runs smack dab into the Bond pair, enjoying a cool, refreshing Heineken. Hit the jump to check it out.

Director Sam Mendes’ Skyfall, starring Craig, Marlohe, Judi Dench, Ben Whishaw, Helen McCrory and Javier Bardem, opens November 9th stateside.

We can now confirm what we reported yesterday, that Daniel Craig will return for the next two James Bond films.  Craig will star in the 24th and 25th installments, making him the third-longest tenured actor to play Bond (after Sean Connery and Roger Moore).  Deadline also confirms that Sony Pictures will also return to co-finance those two films, as it has with Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace and the upcoming Sam Mendes picture, Skyfall.  Speaking of Skyfall, we’ve got new word on just how long the film will run along with a behind-the-scenes look at the filming of the opening sequence.  Hit the jump for all of that and more!

Skyfall, also starring Javier Bardem, Judi Dench, Ben Whishaw, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Berenice Marlohe and Ola Rapace opens October 26th in the UK and November 9th in the US.

With the early reviews of director Matthew Vaughn’s X-Men: First Class positively glowing, anticipation is growing even more intense for the Kick Ass director’s take on the franchise. Earlier today, Vaughn took part in a number of interviews with various publications, and contrary to most pre-release press he was actually surprisingly forthcoming. In addition to talking about First Class, Vaughn confirmed that he would definitely be willing to return for a sequel, and he even has an idea of what the opening scene would be:

“I thought it would be fun to open with the Kennedy Assassination, and we reveal that the magic bullet was controlled by Magneto.”

That’s definitely one way to open a superhero movie. But it’s conducive to the 1960’s setting for First Class and the threading of the X-Men with other historical figures/events. To check out a roundup of some of the best (spoiler-free) quotes from Vaughn’s interviews today, including further talk about a First Class sequel, the possibility of directing a Bond film, and his version of X-Men: The Last Stand that never got made, hit the jump.