It's been revealed that MGM and Danjaq have finally acquired the rights to certain elements of the James Bond series, that had been held first by Kevin McClory, and subsequently by his estate.
McClory was one of the co-writers of a Thunderball script back in the 1950s, and claimed that he introduced characters and elements into the series, that would go on to be part of the movies.
McClory won partial copyright to Thunderball back in 1961, and that was a decision that led him to put together a remake of Thunderball in 1983. That movie was Never Say Never Again, the high profile 'unofficial' Bond movie that brought Sean Connery back to the role.
McClory had been trying to get a further remake of Thunderball made, and in the late 1990s, Sony bought McClory's rights with the idea of a parallel Bond franchise in mind. That was before Sony bought into the official 007 series itself.
McClory died in 2006, but it's only now that a deal has been agreed, that sees his rights now in the hands of MGM and Danjaq, for an undisclosed settlement. It ends any possibility - as if there was one left - of another 'unofficial' Bond movie.
The next Bond movie heads into production next year, with Sam Mendes returning to direct.
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for all news updates related to the world of geek. And Google+, if that's your thing!