Bond Finds Solace a Week Later

Sony rolling out 22nd 007 adventure Nov. 14, instead of Nov. 7, now that Harry Potter is out of the way

By Natalie Finn Aug 21, 2008 10:59 PMTags
Daniel Craig, Quantum of SolaceSony Pictures

With James Bond's most artful British nemesis out of the way, he's beginning to get into the holiday spirit.

Capitalizing on Warner Bros. decision to strike the sixth Harry Potter film from its fall release schedule, Sony and MGM have decided to bring the 22nd wham-bang Bond adventure, Quantum of Solace, to theaters a week later than originally planned.

Now unspooling Nov. 14, the movie opens one week closer to the long Thanksgiving weekend, and there's no chance of losing action lovers to the Hogwartian charms of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince—originally slated to open Nov. 21—after less than two weeks in wide release.

"We believe Nov. 14 is a great date that allows us to play straight through Thanksgiving and right into Christmas," said Jeff Blake, chairman of worldwide marketing and distribution for Columbia Tristar Motion Picture Group.

"The Bond films have a long history of entertaining audiences in this holiday corridor going back to Goldeneye in 1995. The studio enjoyed tremendous success opening Casino Royale in North America on Nov. 17, 2006, and we believe this decision will give the public a wider opportunity to see the film over the holiday."

Quantum of Solace, starring Daniel Craig as 007, as well as Gemma Arterton, Jeffrey Wright, Judi Dench, Olga Kurylenko and Mathieu Almaric, picks up where Casino Royale left off—with the disillusioned and damaged Bond ready to kick some bum.

The film has its world premiere Oct. 29 in London, with Princes William and Harry scheduled to attend.