No time to spy. Even Bond is in lockdown
New 007 film No Time To Die is already locked, loaded and ready to go for its November release.
Pernicious rumours circulating that its opening date was shifted from April because it was unfinished are wide of the mark.
Producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. wilson announced on March 4 that after careful consideration they had decided to reschedule the 25th Bond film’s launch to November 12 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
And after speaking to several Bond-world insiders, I am confident that’s the real reason.
‘As with all films of this size there are things that you come across that might require a bit of re-shooting — but not here,’ one source told me.
‘It was finished. Perhaps there might have been a little spot of ADR [the industry term for rerecording dialogue] but if it does need it, then that can be achieved quickly, as soon as the restrictions are lifted.’
Meanwhile, No Time To Die has, literally, been locked away. No one outside of a trusted few, such as Broccoli, wilson, director Cary Joji Fukunaga, plus creative department heads and musicians who worked on the score, will see the picture before its gala.
Indeed, every single person who worked on the film has signed an iron-clad non-disclosure agreement.
The big question no one can answer right now is whether, come November, audiences will be comfortable going into crowded cinemas and theatres.
Also, will stars who reside overseas be happy to travel to promote the film?
It’s likely stringent health and safety checks will be in place at most airports, with passengers required to have their temperature taken before check-in and planes being deep-cleaned after each flight.
In addition to Daniel Craig, No Time To Die also stars Naomie Harris, Lea Seydoux, Ralph Fiennes, Ben whishaw, Lashana Lynch, Rami Malek and Christoph waltz.