Deep concern over the Coronavirus pandemic and a seeming second surge of Covid-19 across parts of the world has prompted the producers of the James Bond franchise to come to a very difficult decision: the cinema release of No Time To Die will now be delayed by another six months.
Bond and general cinema fans were expecting the new 007 film to hit cinemas this November, after a previous delay, and a new marketing effort had been set in motion in recent weeks. Cinema chain managers were also hopeful that Bond would provide a well-needed boost to box office finances. However, an unpredictable situation has dramatically changed things.
In an official statement released on 2nd October, it was revealed: ‘MGM, Universal and Bond producers, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, today announced the release of NO TIME TO DIE, the 25th film in the James Bond series, will be delayed until 2nd April, 2021, in order to be seen by a worldwide theatrical audience’.
The producers added: ‘We understand the delay will be disappointing to our fans but we now look forward to sharing NO TIME TO DIE next year’. The movie, starring Daniel Craig in his final performance as 007, has been much anticipated and, after the recent success of Tenet in cinemas, it was hoped that Bond could also help ride to the rescue and draw in more cinemagoers.
The JBIFC understands that some very difficult zoom calls took place recently among studio execs to assess the situation and the ongoing impact of Covid-19 on international markets. After close monitoring the delay decision was reluctantly arrived at, but was felt necessary in the circumstances. The JBIFC fully supports the decision.
