Seriously, it hasn’t been a past week for Pinocchio fans. Not only did we recently learn that Guillermo del Toro’s own Pinocchio is no longer happening, but now The Tracking Board is reporting that Disney’s Pinocchio is having a setback.

According to the outlet, director Sam Mendes, who was reported to have been in “early talks” to helm the project back in May, has officially dropped out of the film. Considering the House of Mouse has 75 other live-action productions in the works, and that they have yet to pin a release date to the film, this hardly spells trouble to the Chris Weitz-written film.

Of course Sam Mendes is best known for his work on American Beauty as well as the Bond franchise, and it’s that latter part that is a bit suspicious. Earlier today, it was reported that James Bond was nearing a domestic distribution deal, and last week it was revealed that Denis Villeneuve would not be pursuing the film for his next project. Does this mean the stars are aligning for Mendes to return for a threequel?

Sources told the outlet that his departure from Pinocchio is NOT linked to Bond 25, but crazier things have happened, and like Daniel Craig, Mendes may very well want to leave the franchise on a high note after the disappointing Spectre.

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SOURCE: The Tracking Board