LOS ANGELES, Jan 22, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – Much-delayed James Bond movie “No
Time To Die” was postponed again due to the pandemic Thursday, with studio
MGM confirming 007’s next mission will not take place until October.
The release of the 25th installment of the fictional British spy saga has
already been pushed back multiple times. It was originally set for a London
premiere last March, before that was pushed back to November by the global
spread of Covid-19.
With coronavirus still sweeping the globe and thousands of movie theaters
shuttered again due to lockdowns, the film’s next April 2021 release dates
has now also been abandoned.
“NO TIME TO DIE, the 25th film in the James Bond series, previously set to
release April 2, 2021 will now release on October 8, 2021 — wide,” MGM said
in a statement to AFP.
The film directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga (“Beasts of No Nation,” “True
Detective”) is expected to be Craig’s last outing as the suave British spy,
after starring in four previous films.
It sees Bond drawn out of retirement in Jamaica by his old friend and CIA
agent Felix Leiter.
Rami Malek (“Bohemian Rhapsody”) plays Bond’s adversary Safin, while
Lashana Lynch, Lea Seydoux, Ana de Armas and Ben Whishaw also star.
“No Time To Die” is just one of dozens of major Hollywood titles left in
limbo by the pandemic, as studios weigh up whether to push back their release
dates indefinitely, or opt for online streaming releases that deprive them of
vital box office profits.
Produced at a rumored cost of around $250 million, the film’s success is
crucial for MGM, while Universal Pictures will distribute the film overseas.