Sam Mendes says there's 'no victory' in making Bond movies 'just survival'

Sam Mendes made two Bond movies – Skyfall and Spectre – but it seems that the expectations around the hallowed franchise does not make for a relaxing directing experience.

And it sounds like he won't be returning for a third bite either.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, he said: “When I think of them my stomach churns.

Read more: First No Time To Die trailer lands

“It’s just so hard. You feel like the England football manager. You think, if I win, I’ll survive. If I lose, I’ll be pilloried.

“There is no victory. Just survival... Everyone has their own version of it in their head.”

Skyfall was both a critical and financial hit, landing to solid reviews in 2012, and a box office haul of $1.1 billion, the highest-grossing Bond movie ever.

Spectre was much less well-received however, with many critics saying it failed to live up to its predecessor, while it made $880 million at the box office.

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Mendes handed the reigns over first to Danny Boyle for the 25th Bond film – Craig's last – before creative differences with the movie's producers saw Boyle exit and True Detective director Cary Fukunaga take on No Time To Die.

A first trailer arrived for the movie, set five years after Spectre with Bond now out of active service, arrived earlier this month showing off locations in Italy, Norway and Jamaica.

Starring Lea Seydoux, Lashana Lynch, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw, Jeffrey Wright, Christoph Waltz, Ralph Fiennes and Ana de Armas – and introducing Rami Malek as villain Safin – it's released in the UK on April 2.

Mendes, meanwhile, unveils his new movie – the ambitious World War One action-drama 1917 – on January 10.

Check out the trailer below...