◄ James Bond News

A whopper of a rumor has hit the Internet about the future of the James Bond franchise.

Pundits have been suggesting for the last few weeks that Bond studio MGM, which is burdened with a crushing $3.7 billion debt load, might have to sell off the franchise -- arguably its most lucrative asset -- if it's to stay alive and have enough money to produce The Hobbit and its sequel. Although MGM recently received a forbearance on its interest payments until mid-December, it's viewed as a temporary reprieve and not a long-term strategy for saving the company.

Bond fansite MI6 points out a report at We Are Movie Geeks that claims, via a "source close to the dealings," that MGM has indeed sold off the 007 series to another studio.

Claiming that an official announcement will be made "any day now," WAMG reports the Bond franchise "will be settling into his new domicile for marketing and distribution at 20th Century Fox. ... Sony, who acquired MGM in 2004, has run the last, two James Bond films, Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace through their own, Sony Pictures distribution and marketing company. Up until these, two films, Fox handled all home video and international marketing for MGM, so the transition to Fox for domestic releases for the Bond franchise from here on out should not be that difficult a move." WAMG says the state of Bond 23 is unclear.

Sources at 20th Century Fox, however, tell IGN Movies that the rumor is not true, and that people are making a speculative leap based on Fox's existing arrangement with MGM.

Bond fans must understand that it's doubtful that any studio that might potentially become involved with 007 would ever be more than a marketing and distribution outlet given that the Bond franchise is ruled with an iron fist by EON Productions (run by sibling producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson). There's simply no way that EON would ever allow creative control over Bond to be wrested away from them.