James Bond movie release pushed back seven months amid coronavirus

LONDON (Reuters) – The global release of the new James Bond film No Time to Die has been postponed by seven months amid the coronavirus disruption. It has closed movie theaters in China and caused widespread headaches for other Hollywood productions.

“After careful consideration and thorough evaluation of the global theatrical marketplace, the release of NO TIME TO DIE will be postponed until November 2020,” a posting on the official James Bond Twitter account said.

The posting made no specific reference to coronavirus but follows reports in entertainment trade media last week of the cancellation of plans for the film’s red carpet premiere in China, Hollywood’s biggest overseas market.

Movie theaters have been closed in China since January and other nations, including Japan, South Korea and parts of Italy.

The Bond franchise is one of the movie world’s most lucrative, with 2015’s “Spectre” raking in $880 million at the box office worldwide, while “Skyfall” in 2012 grossed more than $1 billion globally. “No Time to Die” cost an estimated $200 million to produce.

The James Bond postponement followed coronavirus disruptions to filming new movies and TV shows and delays in releasing U.S. movies in China.

James Bond fan sites had also written to the studios behind the film this week, urging for a delay.

“With the Coronavirus reaching pandemic status, it is time to put public health above marketing release schedules and the cost of canceling publicity events,” fan website MI6-HQ.com wrote in an open letter.

“We have all waited over four years for this film. Another few months will not damage the quality of the film and only help the box-office for Daniel Craig’s final hurrah,” the letter added.

Today’s post said the film will now be released in the United Kingdom on Nov. 12 and in the United States on Nov. 25.