Netflix and Apple ‘bid for rights to stream new James Bond film’ in blow for struggling cinemas
STREAMING giants Netflix and Apple want the rights to the new James Bond film, it was claimed last night.
But it is feared the move could hasten the end of cinemas.
Chains are already struggling due to Covid and would lose their slice of the up to £100million gross earnings usually achieved by 007 movies.
Film critic and screenwriter Drew McWeeny broke the news about troubled No Time To Die’s potential move to streaming.
He tweeted: “I can’t get my head around the idea that we may well see James Bond debut on Apple TV+ or Netflix.”
He described the sums being bid for the movie as “insane”.
The spy flick, starring Daniel Craig in his last outing as Bond, was set to debut last April.
Its release was moved to next month and then to April 2021 due to Covid.
MGM, the studio behind the film, has reportedly lost as much as £40million due to the delays.
Bosses were said to be looking for £580million when streaming possibilities were explored earlier this year.
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The film cost around £220million to make.
Paramount and Sony raked in tens of millions by selling movies Greyhound, Coming 2 America and Without Remorse direct to streaming services.
Last night MGM insisted: “The film is not for sale.”
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