6 replies to this topic

[Skudor]

After reading some financial information on another post I wanted to see what kind of detail was actually publicly available, so I downloaded the MGM Dec 2003 10k and found this (p.8, section 9). As I've always wondered how this Danjaq MGM deal works I thought it might be an idea to post this here:

"... Furthermore, we have successfully expanded the valuable film franchises within our library, most notably the James Bond franchise, with the commercial success of GoldenEye in 1995, Tomorrow Never Dies in 1997, The World Is Not Enough in 1999 and Die Another Day in 2002. Additionally, we have successfully developed television series based on library motion pictures such as: Poltergeist: The Legacy based on Poltergeist; Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis based on Stargate; and All Dogs Go to Heaven, based on the movie of the same name. We also have produced a remake of Twelve Angry Men and Inherit The Wind as made-for-television movies for Showtime Networks and Carrie as a made-for-television movie for NBC.

We, together with Danjaq LLC, are the sole owners of all of the James Bond motion pictures. In addition to the recently released James Bond picture, Die Another Day , 19 other James Bond motion pictures in our library were produced and are distributed pursuant to a series of agreements with Danjaq. The James Bond motion pictures are produced by Danjaq, and we have the right to approve all key elements of the pictures, such as the selection of the director and the leading actors. The copyright in each of the motion pictures is owned jointly by MGM and Danjaq. Historically, we have the right to distribute each of the pictures in all media worldwide in perpetuity or for a term of 15 years. Where our distribution rights are not perpetual, the rights revert to joint control by MGM and Danjaq after expiration of the distribution term. On January 21, 2004, we entered into an extension agreement with Danjaq. Under that agreement, our distribution term for each of the non-perpetual James Bond motion pictures was extended by 15 years from the previously scheduled expiration date, and the initial distribution term for new James Bond pictures, beginning with Die Another Day , was extended from 15 years to 20 years. Danjaq controls certain merchandising rights with respect to the pictures, and we are entitled to receive a portion of the revenues from Danjaq

Edited by Skudor, 18 February 2005 - 03:16 PM.

[Righty007]

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing that with us.

[DLibrasnow]

The James Bond motion pictures are produced by Danjaq, and we have the right to approve all key elements of the pictures, such as the selection of the director and the leading actors.

I'm surprised that MGM didn't press this "right" in 2001 when they were vocal in insisting that Die Another Day be directed by Brett Ratner.

By all accounts EON refused and instead hired Lee Tamahori.

[Righty007]

I would have prefered Brett Ratner over Lee Tamahori.

[HawkEye007]

If Brett Ratner had directed DAD, it may have ended being a buddy cop movie with Chris Tucker playing Jinx!

[Mister Asterix]

The James Bond motion pictures are produced by Danjaq, and we have the right to approve all key elements of the pictures, such as the selection of the director and the leading actors.

I'm surprised that MGM didn't press this "right" in 2001 when they were vocal in insisting that Die Another Day be directed by Brett Ratner.

By all accounts EON refused and instead hired Lee Tamahori.

[mra]MGM has the right of approval of directors and actors, not the right to choose. So it is Danjaq

[Skudor]

[quote]MGM has the right of approval of directors and actors, not the right to choose. So it is Danjaq

Edited by Skudor, 18 February 2005 - 05:57 PM.