'Spectre' Is 2nd-Highest-Grossing James Bond Movie

“Spectre” will wind up as its second-highest grossing entry in the James Bond movie franchise.

The $750 million global total rung up so far by the thriller starring Daniel Craig as the suave super spy trails only the $1.1 billion worldwide haul of “Skyfall,” the previous 007 film that was released in 2012 and is the only one to hit that milestone.

A final total somewhere between $850 million and $870 million is likely, according to several analysts, with $900 million achievable in the most favorable scenario. That’s still impressive, since “Skyfall” had the benefit of a boost from the London Olympics — remember the Queen and OO7 parachuting out of the copter? — and a hit theme song from Adele going for it.

Also Read: Here's How Many Times 'Spectre' References Previous James Bond Adventures (Video)

“The expectations for these franchise films gets a little unrealistic at times. I think the more relevant comparison is to look at the meteoric rise of these two films from the one before them,” Exhibitor Relations senior analyst Jeff Bock told TheWrap, referring to 2008’s “Quantum of Solace,” which topped out at $586 million globally.

Marketing costs and sponsorship and product placement revenues are closely guarded so it’s difficult to be definitive, but it’s a safe bet that Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson‘s Eon Productions and MGM, as well as distributor Sony, won’t see the return on “Spectre” that they did on “Skyfall.” The latter’s production budget was $200 million, while the “Spectre” budget rose to $250 million.

“But I don’t think there was a lot of money left on the table here,” said Bock. “They did a very solid job on this film.”

Also Read: James Bond Exercises License to Shill With 'Spectre' Product Placement: Wrap Trends (Video)

“Spectre” outperformed “Skyfall” in several foreign markets, most noticeably in China, where it has taken in $83 million since opening on November 13, compared to the $59 million overall taken in by the earlier film.

The shortfall has come from the film’s home turf, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.

“Skyfall” brought in $161 million from the U.K., while “Spectre” is at $128 million since breaking records in its debut there a month ago. In North America, “Spectre” is at $177 million after 25 days in release, whereas “Skyfall” was at $247 million at this point, and wound up the fourth-highest-grossing domestic release of 2012 with $304 million.

Also Read: 'Spectre' Star Daniel Craig Clarifies 'Slash My Wrists' James Bond Comments (Video)

This is the final year of Sony’s current deal to distribute the Bond film, but it remains among the contenders for the new pact, which includes the majority of Hollywood’s studios. Craig likened returning for another Bond film to slitting his wrist a few months ago, but has since softened his stance.

The prospect of selling the next 007 film as Craig’s farewell tour would surely appeal to any partner more than launching with a new Bond.

Daniel Craig Turns 50: 007 Times He Sounded Sick of Playing James Bond (Photos)

Daniel Craig turns 50 on Friday. The actor is signed on for his fifth Bond movie in 2019, but is he happy about it? Let's look at his past statements.
Nov. 9, 2012 - "I've been trying to get out of this from the very moment I got into it."

Craig told Rolling Stone he was reluctant to do another Bond movie after "Skyfall." But he said he was under contract to do two more.
MGM
Nov. 9, 2012 - "I've got a contract that somebody will happily wipe their ass with."

Craig added in that Rolling Stone interview that if the business for "Skyfall" wasn't great, the studio might set him free.
MGM
Oct. 7, 2015 - "I'd rather break this glass and slash my wrists."

The quote above is from a Time Out London interview, in response to whether he could imagine doing another Bond movie. He also said if he did, it would only be for the money.
Getty Images
Oct. 7, 2015 - "Look, I don't give a f---."

Craig said he isn't interested in who plays Bond next and won't be "backseat driving" on set. He told Time Out London his only advice is this: "Don’t be s---. You’ve got to step up. People do not make movies like this any more. This is really rare now. So don’t be s---."
MGM
Oct. 7, 2015 - "It's a drag."

Craig told Time Out that playing Bond was "a drag" because "the best acting is when you're not concerned about the surface. And Bond is the opposite of that."
Oct. 23, 2015 - "Let's not forget that he's actually a misogynist."

Shortly after that infamous Time Out interview, Craig gave a less-publicized interview to The Red Bulletin, calling his character misogynist. “A lot of women are drawn to him chiefly because he embodies a certain kind of danger and never sticks around for too long.”
Getty Images
Oct. 23, 2015 - "Let’s not talk these films up as some kind of life-changing experience."

When The Red Bulletin asked him what audiences could learn from the Bond movies, Craig said, "Nothing... Bond is what Bond does. Bond is very single- minded. He takes his own course. And that’s simple, which is great."
Getty Images
Nov. 5, 2015 - Craig clarifies his past comments

Craig clarified his "slash my wrists" statement on "Today." "If you’re 200 hundred yards from the end of a marathon and someone comes running up to you and says, ‘Are you gonna run another marathon?' there’s two words you use. And not on a morning show!”
Oct. 10 2016 - “There is no other job like it… if I were to stop doing it, I would miss it terribly.”

In 2016, Craig said at the New Yorker Festival, “There is no other job like it…if I were to stop doing it, I would miss it terribly.”
Sony
Aug. 15, 2017 - “Instead of saying something with style and grace, I said something really stupid.”

Shortly after it was finally reported that Craig would be returning as Bond, he spent multiple interviews being "cagey" about whether it was true, but then finally confirmed the news to Stephen Colbert on "The Late Show." When Colbert pressed him about his previous comments, namely wanting to "slash my wrists," Craig replied, “Instead of saying something with style and grace, I said something really stupid.”
CBS

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He’ll play Bond for a fifth time, but is he happy about it?

Daniel Craig turns 50 on Friday. The actor is signed on for his fifth Bond movie in 2019, but is he happy about it? Let's look at his past statements.

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Daniel Craig Turns 50: 007 Times He Sounded Sick of Playing James Bond (Photos)

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