Tuesday was an awesome day for James Bond fans everywhere. Following delay after delay due to MGM's seemingly insurmountable financial woes, the next film in the franchise, still tentatively titled Bond 23, was officially announced and given a release date of November 9, 2012. The only question that remains is who will be put in charge of worldwide distribution, but now that query may be close to solved.

THR reports that Paramount Pictures is the current frontrunner to handle the next 007 adventure. Thanks to the studios solid relationship with new MGM co-chairmen Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum, they have been given the unoffical first shot to make a deal to release the film. Despite the friendship, the deal isn't expected to be a cakewalk, largely due to Paramount's Rob Moore and MGM's Barber being renowned hardball negotiators. Sony is also still very much in the mix, having distributed the last two films in the franchise.

Whoever ends up getting to distribute the film, the real thing to take away from this story is that another James Bond movie is finally coming down the pipe for us to, hopefully, enjoy. November 9, 2012 can't get here soon enough.