There really is just no time to die.
Daniel Craig’s fifth and final James Bond outing has been pushed yet again, this time vacating its November 20th release and now opening April 2nd 2021 – a full year after its originally intended release.
At present it will now open on the same weekend as Universal’s “F9: The Fast Saga” though that film is expected to move closer to a May opening.
MGM said in a statement: “MGM, Universal and Bond producers, Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, today announced the release of No Time To Die, the 25th film in the James Bond series, will be delayed until 2 April in order to be seen by a worldwide theatrical audience. We understand the delay will be disappointing to our fans but we now look forward to sharing No Time To Die next year.”
Part of the issue is not just the ongoing U.S. pandemic woes, but a resurgence of COVID-19 in its home base of the United Kingdom where the recent Bond films have all made over $125 million. The UK is facing another possible lockdown in coming weeks.
This was the last of the major studio films scheduled to open before Christmas aside from animated films “Soul” and “The Croods: A New Age”. “Wonder Woman 1984” and “Dune” are now the sole tentpoles left on the schedule, both currently targeting a Christmas release.