Warner Bros. strikes a deal with MGM for the international release of the latter's upcoming films, except for the next entry in the Bond franchise.
Warner Bros. recently entered into an agreement with MGM concerning the international distribution of its future slate of films.
As reported by Variety, MGM ended its deal with Universal Pictures for the overseas distribution of its upcoming releases and Warner Bros. is all set to take up the mantle. However, the agreement between the two companies does not include the distribution of Bond 26, the next instalment in the James Bond franchise, director Chinonye Chukwu’s Till or Sarah Polley's Women Talking. The overseas distribution rights for these films will remain with Universal Pictures International as per a prior arrangement with MGM.
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The new deal with Warner Bros. was facilitated by the previous MGM bosses, Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy (who now serve as co-chairs and CEOs of Warner Bros. Pictures Group) after a deal was struck with MGM CEO Christopher Brearton. Luca Guadagnino’s Bones and All and Michael B. Jordan’s Creed III will be the first of MGM's films that Warner Bros. will distribute internationally, with the former scheduled for a Nov. 23 release and the latter to open on March 3, 2023.
MGM and Warner Bros. Picture Group will work together to market, advertise, publicize and distribute MGM’s upcoming movies outside of North America (including China), with Warner Bros ultimately having the responsibility for execution. Warner Bros. also will help with the global distribution of the physical releases of MGM's future lineup.
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Universal assisted in the rollout of a number of MGM films outside the U.S. during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, including Ridley Scott’s House of Gucci, which garnered $100 million internationally, Paul Thomas Anderson’s Licorice Pizza and the 25th James Bond movie, No Time to Die, which hit $613 million at the international box office. Sony Pictures International previously handled the international releases of the first four James Bond movies starring Daniel Craig. Warner Bros. will now take the helm on the international distribution of Bond 27 film as well as any subsequent instalments featuring 007.
The currently untitled Bond 26 is still in the early stages of development with no announcements yet made concerning the next actor to take on the role. Craig, who played the iconic spy from 2006's Casino Royale to the more recent No Time to Die, concluded his run as Bond in 2021. There has been widespread discussion about the direction the films should take with 007 in future films, from casting a female actor to an actor color. Notably, reports suggested actor Idris Elba, a popular fan-casting choice, was being considered for the lead role. However, this has not been officially confirmed.
CBR Anime News Writer Hansini Wasalamudalige majored in Professional and Creative Writing for her Bachelor of Arts from Deakin University (Australia). She has been a fan of anime and manga for over a decade, with the original Yu-Gi-Oh! being her gateway into both mediums. Her favourite series include Fullmetal Alchemist, Fruits Basket and Black Butler. When Hansini is not obsessing fuelling her otaku tendencies, she loves to write, play video games and hang out with friends.
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