Deadline is reporting that James Bond is close to nearing a distribution deal. If things proceed as expected it, will be a dual deal, with MGM and relative new player Annapurna joining forces to handle domestic distribution.

This comes on the heels of MGM and Annapurna launching a joint venture for theatrical distribution in the United States, which the outlet also speculated would be a foundation set up for them to distribute James Bond. Looks like they were right.

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It may seem like an odd move for Annapurna to be involved considering how small it is compared to the other competing studios, however, for MGM — which controls half of the bond franchise — it allows them to have at least have some hand in all this without completely relying on an outside distributor. It’s a smart move if they’re trying to maximize their profit on these films.

But of course, while domestic distribution is nearing a settlement, the war continues over foreign distribution. Still competing in that Royal Rumble are Warner Bros., Sony, and Universal.

As it stands, more than 70 percent of box office receipts come from overseas markets, so despite having an okay performance domestically, at the end of the day, overseas is where the real money is in the Bond franchise.

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SOURCE: Deadline