Key Activision title in doubt as Bond film gets new release date

Questions are being raised over the future of a key title in Activision's line-up following the news that the next Bond film will not be released until November 2008.

Activision picked up the Bond license last May in a deal thought to be worth around US$70 million. Speaking in a conference call last month, Activision CEO Bobby Kotick observed that 'Bond 22', the movie that will follow Casino Royale, was on course for a May 2008 release, adding, "That is where we would focus to have our first game."

But according to the Hollywood Reporter, Sony Pictures has now decided to shift the release date for Bond 22 to November 7, 2008.

Referring to the gap between Casino Royale - which is due out this year - and the original May 2008 date, Sony Pictures Entertainment vice chairman Jeff Blake observed that "18 months was a very short window". He went on to add that Bond 22 will "stay the course" for November instead. SPE has yet to find someone to helm the film after previously signed director Roger Michell left the project, citing creative differences.

Activision UK declined to comment when asked if the game would also get a new release date; it's thought that the publisher's US arm could issue a statement overnight.