Sam Mendes: 'James Bond is not a democracy'

Director Sam Mendes has reminded fans the James Bond franchise is "not a democracy", and they won't have a say in who becomes the next 007.

Speculation as to will play the international man of mystery once current Bond, Daniel Craig, hangs up his tuxedo is rife, with the likes of Idris Elba, Tom Hiddleston and Damian Lewis all believed to be contenders for the role.

But Sam - who directed Skyfall and most recent 007 movie Spectre - thinks all the rumours are pointless, as producer Barbara Broccoli is unlikely to bow down to public pressure.

"There’s this constant debate about who’s going to be the next Bond,” he said according to British newspaper The Telegraph. “The truth is - and here’s the headline: it’s not a democracy. It’s not the X Factor, it’s not the EU referendum, it’s not a public vote. Barbara Broccoli chooses who’s going to be the next Bond: end of story."

The 50-year-old added it was Barbara who saw the potential in British actor Daniel, 48, as the next secret agent back in 2005, while those around her scoffed at the notion he would make a good James Bond.

"Without that, there would be no Daniel Craig because public support for Daniel was zero," Sam explained. "It was her saying ‘that man over there is going to change the whole thing, I’m going to cast him’. That turned it on his head."

While The Night Manager star Tom, 35, is the current frontrunner to take over from Daniel, Sam insists the eventual choice will be a complete outsider.

"I can guarantee whatever happens with it, it will not be what you expect," he said. "That’s what she’s been brilliant at, and that’s how it’ll survive.

It’s not a public vote, and I think we’re in an age where everything is deemed voteable on. Some things just aren’t and it’s better that way.”