007's possible distribution partners comment at round table

08-Nov-2015 • Bond News

With Sony's contract to distribute the James Bond films for MGM expired after 'SPECTRE', MGM may be lokoing for a new dance partner. The Hollywood Reporter hosted a round-table of Hollywood executives this week and the prospect of 007's future came up.

Is Paramount looking to take the James Bond franchise away from Sony when it becomes available after Spectre? And Tom, what can you do to keep Bond at Sony, or do you even want to? It's very expensive.

Rob Friedman (Lionsgate): Who at this table doesn't want to take him?

Tom Rothman (Sony): Everybody would. And we're very pleased that we're the incumbent. We have done very well by the franchise. The last one [Skyfall] did over $1 billion, which was greater than anything before. We have high hopes for the new one and for the future, so we shall see.

Rob Moore (Paramount): As Tom said, they did a spectacular performance on the last movie. But it also becomes about economics. So, what that means in terms of the future, it's hard to tell.