Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the movie studio controlled by private equity firms, is in talks with lenders to restructure $3.7 billion in debt.

Moelis & Co. has been hired to assist Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in “optimizing its capital structure,” the Los Angeles-based studio said yesterday in an e-mailed statement.

The maker of “James Bond” movies, has been trying to raise money to finance new films, including pictures based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit.” The company, with about $3.7 billion in debt that comes due in 2012, said it intends to remain independent.

The studio is in compliance with its loan covenants and cash flow and for the year ended March 31 was within budget projections, the company said.

MGM’s United Artists raised $500 million in 2007, after the company named actor Tom Cruise a co-owner of the unit.