Release of the new James Bond flick 'No Time To Die' delayed due to Coronavirus

The Coronavirus has already begun affecting Hollywood by shutting down film sets, and now the virus has halted the release of one of the year’s most anticipated titles. On March 4, MGM announced that it was delaying the theatrical release of the new James Bond film No Time To Die until November 25 to coincide with American Thanksgiving. The film was originally slated to hit theatres on April 10.Along with Eon and Universal, who are also producing the film with MGM, the studio gave a statement about the date change to Deadline. “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 U.S. launch on November 25, 2020.”

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

The move is an economic one as many movie theatres around the world, specifically in Korea, Japan, China, Italy and France, are being temporarily closed in an effort to help stop the spread of the Coronavirus by limiting the availability of public areas where the general population could infect one another. The past four Bond films made a combined box office of $3.2 billion, including 2012’s Skyfall, which grossed $1.1 billion on its own. The closing of theatres in major Asian markets would likely have a significant effect on the film’s overall earnings.[video_embed id='1914374']RELATED: How COVID-19 is impacting the music industry[/video_embed]According to the National Association of Theatre Owners, MGM’s decision to delay the release of No Time To Die is unique, and will likely not influence other studios. Movie theatres in the US and Canada have remained open and ticket sales have not yet been affected.The cast of No Time To Die will be required to rejoin the film’s publicity campaign once again later this year when the film gets closer to its November opening date, but star Daniel Craig will continue with his hosting gig on Saturday Night Live this weekend. The actor has been in rehearsals all week and will likely touch upon the film’s delay during the show’s opening monologue. Craig will be joined by returning musical guest The Weeknd, who is promoting his upcoming fourth studio album After Hours, which is set to be released on March 20.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

and he, uh, can’t seem to shake his 007 ways.

A post shared by Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl) on Mar 4, 2020 at 10:04am PST

No Time To Die isn’t the first film affected by the Coronavirus. The release of Sonic The Hedgehog, 1917, Jojo Rabbit, Mulan and Dolittle have all been delayed in China while many cities are under quarantine. Paramount Pictures halted production on the Italian set of Mission: Impossible VII, which was filming on location in Venice. Season 33 of The Amazing Race has been put on an indefinite hold and a trip to Italy on the upcoming season of The Bachelorette has also been cancelled.Several international film festivals have also been cancelled for 2020. The Cannes Film Festival is still slated to take place between May 12 and 23, but the festival heads have released a statement saying that they are continuing to monitor the spread of the virus and will take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of the general public.[video_embed id='1671013']RELATED: Daniel Craig wants a woman to replace him as James Bond[/video_embed]