Corona cripples James Bond

THE release of the latest James Bond film, No Time To Die, has been pushed back by seven months because of coronavirus.

Due for release in South Africa on April 3, the film, starring Daniel Craig, Ana de Armas and Rami Malek, will not appear until November 12.

Bond producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli have said that they made the last-minute decision “after careful consideration and thorough evaluation of the global theatrical marketplace”.

The move is expected to cost producers millions as they work to negotiate new deals with advertisers and sponsors. Cast and crew were scheduled to undertake a global press tour and premieres. The London premiere was scheduled to take place at the Royal Albert Hall on March 31.

November is traditionally the release month for Bond films but the latest was pushed back due to a change of director, and on-set mishaps and creative differences.

As the coronavirus continues to spread worldwide, the entertainment industry has heeded health notices and travel restrictions by cancelling events and postponing productions planned for the near future.

The Chinese film business suffered a blow when nearly all its cinemas shut down after the Covid-19 strain began spreading in Wuhan. Lunar New Year is the “biggest blockbuster period in the world”, according to the Hollywood Reporter, which stated that major studios voluntarily postponed releases after medical experts warned against congregating in crowded public areas. |