He's faced killer satellites, lasers, mute henchmen with steel-rimmed bowler hats or teeth, and maniacs intent on destroying the world, but James Bond has finally met an unexpected match: the coronavirus.
Eon Productions has announced it is delaying the release of the 25th Bond installment - No Time To Die - by seven months to November due to the worldwide covid-19 crisis.
The film has been pushed back following “careful consideration and thorough evaluation of the global theatrical marketplace”, producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli announced.
It was due to be released in the UK in April but will now hit screens on November 12, 2020.
The official James Bond account tweeted: “MGM, Universal and Bond producers, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, announced today that after careful consideration and thorough evaluation of the global theatrical marketplace, the release of No Time to Die will be postponed until November 2020.
“The film will be released in the U.K. on November 12, 2020 with worldwide release dates to follow, including the US launch on November 25, 2020”.
The world premiere for No Time To Die had been due to take place on March 31 at the Royal Albert Hall.
Fan groups had previously voiced their concerns about the film's release. Earlier this week, Bond fan site M16 wrote an open letter to EON, MGM and Universal requesting that they delay the film in order to “put public health above marketing release schedules”, adding that “it’s just a movie."
No Time to Die is directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, and will see Daniel Craig step into the role of 007 for the final time. Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge was drafted in to improve its script last year.
