With the next James Bond movie on hold until MGM’s financial troubles are solved, director Sam Mendes is looking to direct both the stage musical “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and a new feature titled On Chesil Beach.
Mendes was scheduled to helm Bond 23, but he will now tackle the musical and Focus Features adaptation of the Ian McEwan novella first. The author is currently writing the script.
Deadline New York says that Mendes is having discussions with Carey Mulligan to play the female lead On Chesil Beach, “which takes place in the UK in 1963 and revolves around two repressed virgins in their early twenties whose attempt to consummate ends badly. Their futile attempt at lovemaking leads to doubt and recriminations.”
Mendes and Pippa Harris are producing the movie.
