Sony faces spectre of losing Bond franchise

Los Angeles

THIS year's James Bond film is poised to deliver the biggest US opening weekend in the 53-year history of the British spy series, following a record debut for the Sony Corp feature in the UK.

Spectre, starring Daniel Craig in the title role for the fourth and possibly last time, opens with late showings on Nov 5 in the US. BoxOffice.com estimates it will generate ticket sales of US$90 million through the weekend and beat the US$88.4 million mark set by the previous release, Skyfall, in 2012. Exhibitor Relations Co, another forecaster, sees US$100 million.