James Bond fans in the US will be able to catch new movie Spectre as many times as they like after the nation’s largest cinema chain placed an “unlimited” ticket on sale.
The $100 (£64) ticket, which comes as a collectible anodised steel card etched with the sinister criminal enterprise’s octopus-like symbol, will allow 007 acolytes to view Sam Mendes’ film once a day for the duration of its run. Spectre opens on 6 November in the US, and on 26 October in the UK.
“It’s for the ultimate fan,” Regal’s Ken Thewes told the LA Times. “It just gives them something they feel is cool and gives them a little status because it allows them to step into the theatre whenever they want to watch the movie.
“I don’t think anybody’s fooling themselves that this is going to make Spectre’s numbers any bigger than they are – but we’re trying to give our moviegoers a different experience ... We want to try new things.”
The “unlimited” ticket, which will be available to the first 1,000 people who sign up, is believed to be the first of its kind, though cinemas have tried before to sell premium “megatickets” including various extras. In 2013 Regal, which owns 567 cinemas in 42 states, offered a $50 ticket, which included an advance screening of Brad Pitt zombie thriller World War Z, an HD copy of the film (once available), 3D glasses, a poster and popcorn.
Spectre stars Craig in his fourth outing as 007 and double Oscar-winner Christoph Waltz as villain Franz Oberhauser. The cast also features Bond newcomers Monica Bellucci, Léa Seydoux and Stephanie Sigman, as well as the returning Ralph Fiennes (as the new M), Naomie Harris (Moneypenny) and Ben Whishaw (Q).
Even Bond fans who do not sign up for the “unlimited” ticket are likely to get more for their money from Mendes’ movie. According to the websites for UK cinema chains Empire and Vue, Spectre will be the longest Bond movie yet, with a running time of at least 155 minutes.
