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Studio distribution rights up for grabs after SPECTRE


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#1 tdalton

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Posted 02 June 2015 - 06:50 PM

http://www.comingsoo...pectre#/slide/1

 

 

 

“The reality is that Sony’s had a fantastic run with the Bonds,” said Rothman. “Sure we’re going to compete for [the rights], but let’s be honest, so is everybody in the business. This Bond is going to be great and hopefully we’ll do as good a job as we did on the last one. ‘Skyfall’’s box office was by far and away the highest that any Bond had ever done.”

 

It's also stated that the friendship between the head of MGM and the head of Warner Bros. could give WB the inside track to landing the rights to Bond 25.



#2 DamnCoffee

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Posted 02 June 2015 - 07:38 PM

Really happy with this news. I hope they hold onto Craig though! Sony have been pretty terrible with the Bond films in my opinion. Not that their films have been bad, more to do with marketing and general publicity. It'll be exciting to see MGM advertise Bond under a joint partnership with another stuidio! 



#3 deth

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Posted 02 June 2015 - 10:01 PM

Really happy with this news. 

 

 

Really? You know this could mean ANOTHER long delay before the next film right?



#4 tdalton

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Posted 02 June 2015 - 10:11 PM

 

Really happy with this news. 

 

 

Really? You know this could mean ANOTHER long delay before the next film right?

 

 

Pretty much guarantees it, I would think. 

 

This really isn't news to be excited about.  Sony was willing to let EON take a chance on Craig.  The next studio might not be so trusting of EON to make controversial decisions like that.



#5 Harmsway

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Posted 02 June 2015 - 10:58 PM

This could be good, I think, particularly if Bond ends up at Warner Bros.

 

With Tom Rothman at Sony, it's probably good for the Bond franchise to get as far away from his meddling hands as possible. Warner Bros. tends to let the creatives doing their things, and is more amenable to risk-taking than many of the other big studios.



#6 TheREAL008

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Posted 02 June 2015 - 11:06 PM

I hope Sony renews the partnership. Why stop a good thing?

#7 SecretAgentFan

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Posted 03 June 2015 - 06:16 AM

With Craig a major success I don´t think the possible transition to another distributor will eat up lots of time - they all WANT the next Bond film instead of delaying it.  In the end, it is just a question of how much money any studio will want to pay.

 

I only wonder how much input EON will have - can they veto any studio?



#8 DamnCoffee

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Posted 03 June 2015 - 12:08 PM

With Craig a major success I don´t think the possible transition to another distributor will eat up lots of time - they all WANT the next Bond film instead of delaying it.  In the end, it is just a question of how much money any studio will want to pay.

 

 

This is my feeling too. Even though the obvious option would be to make Spectre Craigs last, then start a fresh Bond with a fresh studio, but I feel Craig will oversee the transition period and do one more. As much as I would love him to do two, maybe three more, I think if SPECTRE isn't his last, the next one definitely will be. Willing to be proven wrong, though! Gimme more Craig! 

 

After everything that came from the Sony hack, (racism, sexism, homophobia), I'd much rather have Bond in more respectable hands really.  The comments exchanged by Sony execs were terrible. The stuff about Obama, Angelia Jolie, etc... 

 

I'd much rather have a bit of a delay, and a studio that believes in the power of film and not just because of the money. it's not guaranteed, it's surely a possibility. I'm more excited than anything else. New Marketing Campaign. None of that Casino Royale Bond theme crap that's been used for the past 9 years. a different feel. Bring it on. 


Edited by DamnCoffee, 03 June 2015 - 12:11 PM.


#9 tdalton

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Posted 03 June 2015 - 01:36 PM

 

 

I only wonder how much input EON will have - can they veto any studio?

 

If they don't like the situation they're heading into they can just let it be known that they wont make any movies for that studio.  Not necessarily a veto per se, but that would be enough to put the brakes on a deal they don't like.

 

I don't want Bond at Warner Bros.  They've already got their hands full trying to catch up to Marvel with their DC Cinematic Universe, and, God forbid, somewhere down the line, they might actually think it's a good idea to let Zack Snyder try his hand at Bond.

 

Ideally, I'd like to see them stay with Sony under the arrangement that the production studio that Amy Pascal is said to be creating within the studio would handle the day-to-day operations with the new head of Sony not having a whole lot to do with it outside of just getting to take the credit.  She's been good for the Bond franchise and she'll be an asset moving forward as they look to replace Daniel Craig.



#10 Syndicate

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Posted 03 June 2015 - 03:18 PM

Hope it don't go to Disney at all and really stays with MGM. I just don't want to be like Star Wars at all. Even through I both a James Bond and Disney fan. But a Bond fan first, before I was ever a Disney fan. It just DOES NOT look right at all if  do go to Disney. Just like when Comcast almost got or wanted to go for the Disney company. That just DID NOT look right at all.



#11 tdalton

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Posted 03 June 2015 - 03:22 PM

They're not leaving MGM.  EON and MGM still have their respective rights to Bond.  This is about which company will take over the role Sony has had during the Craig films.



#12 Harmsway

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Posted 03 June 2015 - 04:13 PM

I don't want Bond at Warner Bros.  They've already got their hands full trying to catch up to Marvel with their DC Cinematic Universe, and, God forbid, somewhere down the line, they might actually think it's a good idea to let Zack Snyder try his hand at Bond.

Warner Bros. is the studio that allowed Mad Max: Fury Road to happen. They're less risk-averse than any other studio out there. I don't like what they're doing with DC, but they are taking an auteur-focused approach to the whole thing, letting directors have more or less free roam with their films.

All in all, that's a good culture for Bond to be matched with, regardless of what you think of their actual output. On the other hand, post-leak Sony is not looking like a healthy spot for Bond to be. Particularly with Tom Rothman, the meddler of meddlers, running the show.



#13 SecretAgentFan

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Posted 03 June 2015 - 04:16 PM

 

After everything that came from the Sony hack, (racism, sexism, homophobia), I'd much rather have Bond in more respectable hands really.  The comments exchanged by Sony execs were terrible. The stuff about Obama, Angelia Jolie, etc... 

 

I´m afraid that this is not different at any other studio.  Sony is only the one that got caught.  Hollywood is all about snark, unfortunately.



#14 tdalton

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Posted 03 June 2015 - 04:18 PM

That's why I said that they should stay at Sony if it can be worked out that Bond falls under Pascal's in-house production company.  If you can't keep Pascal involved as one of, if not the, top ranking Sony official involved in the day-to-day of working with EON, then go elsewhere.  

 

I'd still rather they go away from Warner.  In all seriousness, the day Zack Snyder, and they do love him over there since they're allowing him to ruin their two biggest properties, becomes involved with a Bond film is the day I walk away from the franchise.



#15 Harmsway

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Posted 03 June 2015 - 04:40 PM

I'd still rather they go away from Warner.  In all seriousness, the day Zack Snyder, and they do love him over there since they're allowing him to ruin their two biggest properties, becomes involved with a Bond film is the day I walk away from the franchise.

EON would still be the one making the call on the director, so I don't think this fear is remotely realistic.



#16 tdalton

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Posted 03 June 2015 - 04:43 PM

One would hope, but it's not wise to put yourself in a situation where that could happen.  When the people providing the money want something, they tend to get it.



#17 deth

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Posted 03 June 2015 - 10:22 PM

That's why I said that they should stay at Sony if it can be worked out that Bond falls under Pascal's in-house production company.  If you can't keep Pascal involved as one of, if not the, top ranking Sony official involved in the day-to-day of working with EON, then go elsewhere.  

 

 

 

I thought Pascal was fired from Sony earlier this year?



#18 tdalton

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Posted 04 June 2015 - 12:47 AM

 

That's why I said that they should stay at Sony if it can be worked out that Bond falls under Pascal's in-house production company.  If you can't keep Pascal involved as one of, if not the, top ranking Sony official involved in the day-to-day of working with EON, then go elsewhere.  

 

 

 

I thought Pascal was fired from Sony earlier this year?

 

 

She's working with Sony.  According to Variety she has a very nice production deal with the studio and will be working on the Spider-Man joint venture with Marvel.  

 

EON should re-up with Sony on the condition that they get put under the umbrella of Pascal's production team within Sony.  If Sony doesn't want to do that, then they should shop their services elsewhere.



#19 Major Tallon

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Posted 04 June 2015 - 11:56 AM

I'm with tdalton.  They should stay with Sony.



#20 glidrose

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Posted 04 June 2015 - 06:43 PM

Instead of quoting and snipping, let me just say that I agree with pretty much everything tdalton says here in this thread.

-Amy Pascal has done a fantastic job for Bond
-if Bond remains with Sony, it's unlikely Pascal will be as hands on. A shame, really.
-if Bond remains with Sony, Tom Rothman will probably take a more active role - whether that's good or bad I don't know. I don't know enough about him to say either way.
-a transition to another studio shouldn't cause a delay. Not with Craig firmly entrenched in the role. At least I don't think so.
-Zack Snyder is bloody awful. I won't go so far as to say like tdalton that'd I'd walk away from the series if ZS ever got involved, but based on Man of Steel, I'd pretty much set my expectations for any Bond he does real low.
-while EON doesn't have the power to veto any studio, they can do a repeat of 1991 and go on hiatus

 

After everything that came from the Sony hack, (racism, sexism, homophobia), I'd much rather have Bond in more respectable hands really. The comments exchanged by Sony execs were terrible. The stuff about Obama, Angelia Jolie, etc...


Gee, I wonder what studio exec's private emails at the other studios are like...

Personally, I thought the comments were mild. Political correctness has gone too far. All I care is that the executives make the best possible production. Case in point, when I see a Roman Polanski film, I assess the film based on what's onscreen.

#21 x007AceOfSpades

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Posted 04 June 2015 - 09:00 PM

Pascal is starting her own production company within Sony. Unless they (EON) were to stay with Sony and partner up with another production company (they already have MGM as is), that would not happen, I just don't see that as an option. EON has MGM - now they just need another studio for co-financier and distribution. As I talked about some months ago with other users, after the giant success that was Skyfall and the inevitable (can't say it'll make a billion, for which I don't believe it will), studios will be looking to get their hands on Bond. I still think Paramount is the best bet, but Warner Bros. isn't that bad.

Sony has done a good job thus far with EON/MGM and the Bond franchise. Who's to say Warner Bros. won't either? Especially if the two heads have a good working relationship that is. I doubt Bond would get lost in a haze with Warner Bros. working towards building their DC Comics films. They took a pretty big risk with Mad Max: Fury Road and it turned out to be a big critical and commercial success (especially in an already crowded summer line-up of films) and they pretty much gave George Miller complete control over it despite having executives on set to make sure everything went smooth. Saying Zack Snyder could become involved in a Bond film because of his relationship with Warner Bros. is laughable. He's full up with DC Comics, and besides, I think Warner Bros. would have enough respect for EON/MGM to continue doing what they and to just maintain the same level of development Sony did.

Bond won't go to Disney. Especially since according to Disney they can't find a release date for any of their films within the next five years which led to them cancelling Tron 3 (because Tomorrowland bombing totally wasn't the reason.)

Everything will be fine. Rothman may not have had a good track record during his time over at FOX, but who knows how he will be at Sony. If it stays with Sony, great. If it ends up at Warner Bros. it isn't the end of the world, nor will it spell doom for the franchise.



#22 SecretAgentFan

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Posted 05 June 2015 - 06:24 AM

I think Sony´s role and that of any future studio will mainly focus on the distribution side of things.  Sure, they can offer their thoughts - but EON will steer the ship creatively at this point.

 

When the re-boot with Craig was planned, EON, of course, had to have a solid ally at Sony, and that person was Amy Pascal.

 

Now, EON is pretty much the chairman of Bond´s creative course.  And every studio will just want to do one thing now: to attach themselves to this franchise in order to make money.

 

Should SPECTRE (I don´t believe so but who knows in this business?) make considerably less money than SKYFALL, a new distributor probably will weigh in more, especially when the time comes for Craig to be replaced.

 

But since the talk about a new distributor has started now, many months before the release of SPECTRE, EON and MGM, for that matter, are perfectly positioned for contract negotiations.



#23 tdalton

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Posted 05 June 2015 - 12:44 PM

I think Sony´s role and that of any future studio will mainly focus on the distribution side of things. Sure, they can offer their thoughts - but EON will steer the ship creatively at this point.

When the re-boot with Craig was planned, EON, of course, had to have a solid ally at Sony, and that person was Amy Pascal.

Now, EON is pretty much the chairman of Bond´s creative course. And every studio will just want to do one thing now: to attach themselves to this franchise in order to make money.

Should SPECTRE (I don´t believe so but who knows in this business?) make considerably less money than SKYFALL, a new distributor probably will weigh in more, especially when the time comes for Craig to be replaced.

But since the talk about a new distributor has started now, many months before the release of SPECTRE, EON and MGM, for that matter, are perfectly positioned for contract negotiations.


The new studio is going to want a say when they're picking the next Bond. That's why EON needs to find a way to align with Pascal. We already know she'll back a controversial EON choice.

#24 SecretAgentFan

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Posted 05 June 2015 - 01:34 PM

But do you think Pascal would be involved in that?  I understand she is persona non grata with her successor, and if Sony will keep Bond he will not let Pascal have a voice.



#25 Syndicate

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Posted 05 June 2015 - 04:35 PM

If it can stay at Sony and work along with Eon and MGM that would be fine. But IF not then maybe one of these Summit Entertainment, 20th Century Fox or Liongates working with Eon and MGM.


Edited by Syndicate, 06 June 2015 - 04:17 AM.


#26 Shrublands

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Posted 06 June 2015 - 03:47 AM

Remember Skyfall had already started filming before Sony was even attached to the project.

This won't cause any problem at all, in my opinion. 



#27 larrythefatcat

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Posted 06 June 2015 - 05:03 AM

Remember Skyfall had already started filming before Sony was even attached to the project.
This won't cause any problem at all, in my opinion.


What project? Sony has been involved with EON and Bond distribution since 'Casino Royale'...

#28 graric

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Posted 06 June 2015 - 07:59 AM

 

Remember Skyfall had already started filming before Sony was even attached to the project.
This won't cause any problem at all, in my opinion.


What project? Sony has been involved with EON and Bond distribution since 'Casino Royale'...

 

From memory the initial deal with Sony was only for two film (CR and QoS) and work began on Skyfall without Sony's involvement, and Sony only became involved during the MGM financial problems in 2010/ 11 (where they signed another 2 film deal.)

 

EDIT: This Deadline article suggests an official deal between Sony and MGM for Bond distrubtion for Skyfall and SPECTRE was only announced in April 2011.
http://deadline.com/...es-bond-122524/


Edited by graric, 06 June 2015 - 08:01 AM.


#29 tdalton

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Posted 06 June 2015 - 08:05 PM

But do you think Pascal would be involved in that?  I understand she is persona non grata with her successor, and if Sony will keep Bond he will not let Pascal have a voice.

 

Probably not, but that's why if you're EON you make it a condition of any Sony deal and hope for the best.  She's been too good for EON/MGM for them to not want that partnership to continue.  The new head of Sony doesn't seem like someone that EON would or should want to work with, especially with the rather passive comments he made about the rights in the story I linked in the OP, where he speaks about Bond in the past tense and says that everyone will be going after the rights after SPECTRE is released.

 

Since that won't happen, they shouldn't re-up with Sony based on the current leadership there.  Outside of a Sony/Pascal deal, I don't know where I'd want to see Bond end up.  I know I don't want to see it go to Warner Bros., that much is for certain.  



#30 SecretAgentFan

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Posted 07 June 2015 - 08:00 AM

The problem with studio heads in general is: they are subject to change at any given time.

 

Whatever studio will get the nod from MGM, it is no guarantee that the current man at the top will actually be there when a creative decision for the Bond franchise will have to be made.

 

And I do strongly believe that EON is not a pushover.  Especially not now since the Craig era and SKYFALL has secured their position as the strongest one since, well, 1965.