Representatives for MGM, Eon and the studios pursuing the rights either had no comment or did not return calls. The eagerness to land Bond underscores the continuing strength of the series but also the realities of the modern movie business. As competition for leisure time increases, studios have focused more intently on global blockbusters, and those are in short supply. In some ways, the Bond series was the first to go after a worldwide audience. Having a Bond movie on the schedule guarantees at least one hit in a business where there is almost no sure thing.

Source: New York Times April 20, 2017 04:41 UTC