Fox Acquiring James Bond Distribution?

[Blowfeld]

WAMG Exclusive: Fox Acquiring James Bond Distribution
Posted October 5 by Kirk in Adventure Exclusive Featured Articles Franchises General News Movies Studios

James Bond is finding a new home, and he’ll have Jedi and aliens to welcome him into the fold. For the last few weeks, movie goers have been curious as to what is going to become of some of MGM’s more prominent franchises. Over the last, couple of days, the company has entered into a forbearance agreement. The agreement expires in the middle of December, and, for now, ‘The Hobbit’ is safe and sound where it is. However, the company said nothing of the future of 007 adventures.

Well, fear not you shaken-not-stirred fanatics. A source close to the dealings has let We Are Movie Geeks know that Bond is alive and well, and will be settling into his new domicile for marketing and distribution at 20th Century Fox. That’s right, expect the official word to come out any day now, but it looks like ‘Bond 23′ is going to be running behind the Fox banner.

Sony, who acquired MGM in 2004, has run the last, two James Bond films, ‘Casino Royale’ and ‘Quantum of Solace’ through their own, Sony Pictures distribution and marketing company. Up until these, two films, Fox handled all home video and international marketing for MGM, so the transition to Fox for domestic releases for the Bond franchise from here on out should not be that difficult a move.

There is no word in what state this leaves ‘Bond 23,’ though, with MGM/Sony still backing the production side, this bit of news shouldn’t cause much if any kind of delay. The film is still tentatively scheduled for release in 2011.

this story can be found at Fox Acquiring James Bond Distribution?

[katied]

This could get interesting!

[Blowfeld]

Fox Not Acquiring Rights to Bond Franchise

October 07, 2009 08:20:31 GMT

MGM reportedly has put the brake on the circulating rumor that suggested 20th Century Fox will be taking over distribution of the James Bond franchise.
Fox Not Acquiring Rights to Bond Franchise


Contrary to reports, MGM has yet to sell the marketing and distribution rights of the James Bond franchise to 20th Century Fox. Claiming to be contacted directly by the studio on the matter, Film School Rejects set the record straight by forwarding MGM's denial that the taking-over story is incorrect.

An official source, as reported by the site, also mentioned the studio still owns the Bond property and will announce the release date and distribution strategy in due time. Another denial came from 20th Century Fox as well. To IGN, sources at Fox slammed the speculation. They also insisted people are making a speculative leap based on Fox's existing arrangement with MGM.

Back on Monday, October 5, We Are Movie Geeks came up with a report that James Bond is finding a new home at Fox. The site claimed that "a source close to the dealings" revealed the 007 franchise will be marketed and distributed by the studio, adding "expect the official word to come out any day now, but it looks like 'Bond 23' is going to be running behind the Fox banner."

The last two installments of Bond series, "Casino Royale" and "Quantum of Solace", have been marketed and distributed by Sony, who acquired MGM in 2004. The home entertainment and international marketing for the two films, in the meantime, was already handled by 20th Century Fox.

Rumor aside, "Bond 23" would be the latest installment of the superspy series following "Quantum of Solace". In June, MGM and EON Productions announced the recruitment of Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Peter Morgan to join the screenwriting team of this new Bond movie that consists also of Neal Purvis and Robert Wade.

Story can be found at Fox Not Acquiring Rights to Bond Franchise

[James]

Any long break is fine by me. Daniel can do a Tim Dalton.

[FormerBondFan]

Daniel can do a Tim Dalton.

There's only one Timothy Dalton, and that's Tim himself.

[Mazer Rackham]

This is rumor that had some basic facts wrong. Why it got so far is a mystery. I don't doubt that FOX and several other studios are lining up to break apart MGM then grab what's good.

[Mazer Rackham]

Daniel can do a Tim Dalton.

There's only one Timothy Dalton, and that's Tim himself.

I'm fine with a Dalton too. Although to be clear Dalton couldn't get a 3rd movies, unless Cubby paid for it himself, no investor would touch it with him in the lead.