Sony’s James Bond Rights Set to Expire After ‘Spectre’ Release

Everyone’s favorite British MI6 agent might have to find a new home after the release of his latest adventure. Variety is reporting Sony’s rights for the James Bond franchise are set to become available after the latest Bond film Spectre hits theaters on Nov. 6.

Sony joined with MGM at the start of Daniel Craig‘s tenure as 007 and renewed their contract in 2011, releasing Casino Royale (2006), Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012) and the upcoming Spectre (2015). The first three films have performed well at the box office and with critics.

“The reality is that Sony’s had a fantastic run with the Bonds,” Sony Pictures Entertainment motion picture group chairman Tom Rothman said to Variety. “Sure we’re going to compete for (the rights), but let’s be honest, so is everybody in the business.”

Sony will surely be a contender for the rights, but the studio may face a major competitor in Warner Bros. Variety notes that MGM CEO Gary Barber and WB CEO Kevin Tsujihara are close, and that could have an impact on where Mr. Bond is headed. The report cites the partnership between WB and MGM on The Hobbit series and other projects.

Sony did an admirable job in helping shepherd James Bond’s big comeback nine years ago, and, as Rothman noted to Variety, the last Bond film, Skyfall, garnered the biggest box office return of any 007 film, tallying a whopping $1.1 billion back in 2012. Spectre also poises to be one of the premiere film debuts of the fall.

If Bond landed at WB, the franchise would instantly become one of the studios’ major future attractions, with the upcoming DC expanded universe, Harry Potter spinoff Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (with Eddie Redmayne is now confirmed as star) and more Lego movies also among the studio’s future tent-pole highlights.

Regardless of where the Bond series lands, it doesn’t appear 007 is leaving the screen anytime soon. But, for what it’s worth, both Sony and Warner Bros. would both be solid homes for Bond in the future.

Where would you like to see Bond land? Let us know in the comments. One studio is already putting their hat in the ring along with their pick for a new Bond.

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