Update #2: After all the hubbub below, it looks like Sam Mendes is indeed returning to direct. According to Deadline, talks have begun and he “will be the director of the next Bond,” following up Skyfall. Check back for official word from MGM and Sony and see the original story below.

Update #1: Variety reports that Ang Lee, Tom Hooper, David Yates and Shane Black are also being looked at for the gig, but nothing has been decided, and the current plan is to now have the film in theaters by 2016.

With Skyfall director Sam Mendes out of the picture for the time being, longtime James Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson are in a search for the helmer of the next film in the franchise. We got word earlier this month that they’ve met with Christopher Nolan and while we doubt those talks will lead to anything due to a variety of reasons (most notably a little film called Interstellar), a stronger possibility has landed.

First coyly hinted at in an interview at Cannes Film Festival with First Showing, The Wrap’s Jeff Sneider confirmed that Drive and Only God Forgives director Nicolas Winding Refn is indeed in the mix for the gig. Unfortunately there’s no other details besides that, but we’ve heard producers are looking to get the film into theaters by late 2014, so hopefully confirmation on a director will land soon. Considering his strong visual eye and obsession with characters of few words, but capable of much violence, Bond seems right up his alley.

While the director has certainly walked to the beat of his own drum with his previous features, he came close to a major Hollywood production with the upcoming Denzel Washington-led thriller The Equalizer. He left the project due to creative differences and even recently told L.A. Times “he’d rather make a good movie that breaks even than a bad movie that makes money,” and when asked about the Sony project he said, “Let’s put it like this: There’s a reason why I pulled out.” While it’s still early, it seems Refn is keen on the Bond character as one can see his brief interview clip below, when asked about the project.

Would you have liked to see Refn take on Bond? Are you happy Mendes is returning?