Bond movie plans thwarted by virus

STEPHEN BARK

Plans to bring the new James Bond film to Lanark have been thwarted by the coronavirus outbreak.

A new venture between South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture (SLLC) and Regional Cinema Scotland was due to see Lanark Memorial Hall turned into a cinema on 14 dates between May and November.

Daniel Craig’s fifth and final appearance as 007 was due to be screened at the grand opening of the sixmonth trial butthe release of No Time to Die has now been delayed until November.

An update from SLLC to the Clydesdale area committee on Tuesday, March 10, revealed the plans which see the latest cinema releases brought to Lanark.

Assistant venue manager Scott Morrice told the committee: “From May, there will be 14 days where we show the latest cinema releases.

“We have funding for a six-month trial period and if it’s successful, it can be continued.”

Mr Morrice added: “They [Regional Cinema Scotland] look at venues like Lanark Memorial Hall where they can come in and put a screen up.

“They look at Lanark and it ticks all the boxes for rural deprivation and the distance to Hamilton or Livingston for the nearest cinema.”

However, Mr Morrice was confident No Time to Die would be screened in Lanark in November after a promise from Regional Cinema Scotland

Prices for the film screenings have yet to be confirmed but SLLC are thought to be discussing options to include discounts for concessions.

No Time to Die, the 25th instalment in the James Bond franchise, was originally due to be released in November 2019 before being pushed back to April 2020 after director Danny Boyle pulled out.

The film’s producers – MGM and Eon Productions – announced earlier this month that after “thorough evaluation of the global theatrical marketplace” the release would be again pushed back to 12 November.

Starring Christoph Waltz as Ernst Stavro Blofeld and Ralph Fiennes as M, No Time to Die sees a retired Bond approached by CIA agent Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright) who enlists his help in the search for a missing scientist.

A nationwide military band tour, which was due to be kick started at Hamilton Town House next weekend, has been delayed by six months because of coronavirus. The Royal Regiment of Scotland band had been widely promoting their show in Hamilton on April 3, but leaders have been forced to call the performance off. The date has already been rescheduled at the same venue in September, and money raised throughout the tour will be donated to armed forces charity Poppyscotland The tour, which is entitled‘Walking With Oor Ain Folk’, will see the army band perform four concerts this year with the new theme of Scottish folk music from the west lowlands (Burns Country) to the Western Isles, the Highlands, the East of Scotland and the Scottish Borders. Gordon Michie, Head of Fundraising at Poppyscotland, said:“We have taken the decision to postpone the April 3 performance of Walking With Oor Ain Folk as we have a duty of care to keep our supporters as safe as possible from the threat of the coronavirus and minimise any risk associated with attending large events. “With the support of South Lanarkshire