'007' Gets New Director

James Bond has been going through a few changes the past few installments. A different face for 007, the elimination of 'shaken, not stirred,' and now a new director. And considering this guy's background, the outcome should be worthy to wear the Bond theme music.

Sam Mendes is the Oscar-winning director of American Beauty, making him potentially the franchise's first lead-guy with such an honor. The project is currently dubbed Bond 23 and has writer Peter Morgan (The Queen and Frost/Nixon) on alongside Bond regulars Neal Purvis and Robert Wade.

But don't get your hopes up too high yet. Mendes' participation in the series is still in the works: it's dependent on the final script and the film's production schedule. Also, there isn't a start date, although some speculate as early as 2011.

Not to mention MGM may get sold sometime soon. But if life can find a way, I'm sure Bond can.