With fears over coronavirus growing around the world, MGM and Universal have announced that the upcoming release of No Time To Die has been postponed, with Daniel Craig’s fifth and final outing as 007 now set to arrive in November.
“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,” reads the official announcement. “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 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.
— James Bond (@007) March 4, 2020
The delay follows news coming out of China that the box office in the Middle Kingdom has been hit to the tune of almost $2 billion due to the coronavirus outbreak crippling the country’s exhibition infrastructure, while Disney also recently cancelled the London press event for the European launch of the Disney+ streaming service amid concerns over international travel. What other impact the coronavirus will have on the schedule and the industry as a whole remains to be seen, but it seems unlikely this will be the only delay over the coming weeks and months.
Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.
No Time To Die stars Daniel Craig (James Bond), Ralph Fiennes (M), Naomie Harris (Moneypenny), Rory Kinnear (Tanner), Léa Seydoux (Madeleine Swann), Ben Whishaw (Q), Jeffrey Wright (Felix Leiter) and Christoph Waltz (Blofeld), while new additions include Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody), Ana de Armas (Blade Runner 2049), Lashana Lynch (Captain Marvel), Billy Magnussen (Velvet Buzzsaw), Dali Benssalah (A Faithful Man) and David Dencik (Top of the Lake).