Sony announced on Thursday that it moved the next 007 movie, "Quantum of Solace," to November 14, a move most likely linked to the delay of Warner Bros.' "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" which was initially scheduled to be released on November 21.
The next Harry Potter film moved to summer 2009 and will hit the cinemas on July 17. Warner chiefs said they took the decision in order to fill a window in next year’s summer. The move was quickly speculated by Summit Entertainment who moved their vampire film "Twilight" into the free spot left by "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince."
So the 22nd James Bond movie "Quantum of Solace" will open one week closer to the Thanksgiving weekend and with “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” not around to steal any viewers, the movie is guaranteed to be a box office success.
"We believe Nov. 14 is a great date that allows us to play straight through Thanksgiving and right into Christmas," were the words of Jeff Blake, Columbia Tristar Motion Picture Group. chairman.
The Daniel Craig-starring movie’s initial release date – November 7 – was intended to get the best of the pre-"Potter" playtime.
"'Harry Potter' moving out gave us an opportunity to get a little closer to the holidays,” said Blake. "Bond has a really good history of not only playing through Thanksgiving but going deep into the Christmas holidays."
Sony is the owner of the worldwide theatrical rights of the James Bond franchise, while MGM controls all post-theatrical windows.