Fans of James Bond will have to wait a few months more until they can see the final outing of Daniel Craig as Agent 007.
To borrow the title of another James Bond film, it seems he will have to ‘Die Another Day’, as the global release of ‘No Time To Die’ has been pushed back until November this year because of fears that the current outbreak of Covid-19 will affect ticket sales around the world. Tweeting today, MGM, Universal, and producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli announced that the film would no longer be scheduled for its April theatrical release, but would rather hit cinemas in the U.K. on November 12, and worldwide on the 25th of that month.
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. pic.twitter.com/a9h1RP5OKd
— James Bond (@007) March 4, 2020
A significant proportion of profits from Bond films come from international markets, with previous outing, ‘Spectre’, grossing more than $679 million from overseas theatres when released in 2015. Well over $84 million of that total came from China.
There had already been concern about the film’s imminent release, with plans for publicity cancelled in China, Japan, and South Korea. James Bond fan site, MI6-HQ published and open letter on Monday, in which they urged the producers to delay the release of ‘No Time To Die’.
An extract of the letter said,
“It is time to put public health above marketing release schedules and the cost of canceling publicity events.”
There’s been a lot of excitement about the new James Bond film, particularly since Billie Eilish debuted the theme song, co-written by her brother Finneas, and composed by Hans Zimmer, at this years BRIT Awards. Many artists have also covered the track, including John Grimes from Irish duo, Jedward:
Covid-19 has already affected the film release and production schedules of other productions, including the seventh ‘Mission: Impossible’ film, which was halted by Paramount Pictures, ahead of its scheduled shooting in Venice, Italy. Likewise, the same studio also put on hold the Chinese release of ‘Sonic The Hedgehog’.
