Ending weeks of speculation, Century City movie studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., owner of such titles as the James Bond movie franchise, said it is evaluating options including a sale of the company.

In an emailed statement, the company said it is "beginning a process to explore various strategic alternatives including operating as a standalone entity, forming strategic partnerships and evaluating a potential sale of the Company."

MGM also said its lenders have agreed to grant the company another respite until Jan. 31 from interest payments on nearly $4 billion in debt.

The decision, reversing its refusal to sell a year ago, came during a conference call Friday between restructuring expert Stephen Cooper, now MGM's vice chairman, and the 140 lenders owed some $3.7 billion in bonds maturing in mid-2012, according to a person close to the situation.

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