MGM and Sony Pictures have signed a deal for the release of the next James Bond movie, ending months of speculation about the future of the British super spy, it was announced Wednesday, dpa reported.
The yet-unnamed film will be the 23rd in the franchise and the third starring Daniel Craig as the debonair secret agent. Bond 23 will be directed by Sam Mendes and is due in theaters on November 9, 2012.
According to the announcement, Sony and MGM will also co-finance Bond 24. The two companies had worked together on the two previous Bond movies, but the latest agreement was reached only after MGM emerged from bankruptcy and negotiated with other Hollywood studios for a distribution deal.
"Sony Pictures is the ideal studio partner for us as MGM re-enters the filmmaking business," MGM said.