The new 007 Spectre poster

The new James Bond film Spectre has allegedly saved $20 million by shooting the movie in Mexico – 14 million through tax savings and a further 6 million from Mexican officials.

This has come from many private documents that were leaked by hackers in the recent Sony hack. Emails between Sony and MGM officials regarding the upcoming ‘James Bond’ film have been found which show how they were trying to save money by filming part of the movie in Mexico.

Many of the emails refer to the ‘Mexican Deal,’ and producers are making several changes to to secure up to $6 million from Mexican officials by making the country look better.

The Mexican authorities have requested a number of changes which include the casting of a Mexican actress as the films “Bond girl” and highlighting the Mexican skyline. Other requests are rumored that they implicitly asked for a Mexican not to be featured as the villain.

This comes as Mexico attempts to restore a reputation, and struggling tourist industry, which has been damaged by a drug war that has cost the lives of 100,000 people over the last decade.

Even last September 43 students went missing in Guerrero and last week a female mayoral candidate was found decapitated in the same state.

The changes in the movie when combined with tax savings in Mexico should shave $20 million off the budget, which Sony and EON Productions was eager to do as the film’s cost was exceeding their 250 million budget.

The budget of previous James Bond movies such as Skyfall and Quantum of Solace both cost around $200 million to produce whilst Skyfall earned $303 million domestic and $1 billion worldwide in 2012. This was pretty much double the respective domestic and worldwide total for any other 007 film. Even if it only matches the $599 millionof Casino Royale  or the $586 million of Quantum of Solace, they are certainly making a very nice return.