New James Bond film, No Time to Die, release date delayed over coronavirus fears

The hotly anticipated release of the new James Bond film, No Time to Die, has been pushed back until November amid coronavirus fears, and other Hollywood films could follow suit.

The release of the highly anticipated James Bond film, No Time to Die, has been delayed because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The 25th Bond pic, which marks Daniel Craig’s final turn as 007, will now be released in November rather than April.

According to the New York Post, MGM, Universal and Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli confirmed the delay on Tuesday (local time) via Twitter.

“After careful consideration and thorough evaluation of the global theatrical marketplace, the release of No Time to Die will be postponed until November 2020.”

Fans will have to wait a little longer to see Daniel Craig in his final turn as James Bond. Picture: Supplied

The stalled release date comes hours after franchise fans called for the global release of the film to be pushed back amid fears about the coronavirus outbreak, reports The Guardian.

The official premiere of the film was set for March 31 at the Royal Albert Hall in London, with a US release date set on April 10. (The film’s China release date was previously scrapped in mid-February.)

MGM, Universal and Bond producers, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, announced today that after careful consideration and thorough evaluation of the global theatrical marketplace, the release of NO TIME TO DIE will be postponed until November 2020. pic.twitter.com/a9h1RP5OKd

— James Bond (@007) March 4, 2020

A few popular fan sites — The James Bond Dossier, M16 Confidential and The James Bond Dossier — published a joint open letter to the film’s producers, Wilson and Broccoli, citing public health concerns about COVID-19.

“It is by no means easy to say this: the release of No Time to Die should be postponed,” the open letter to EON, MGM and Universal reads.

“It is time to put public health above marketing release schedules and the cost of cancelling publicity events. It’s just a movie.”

Prince Charles, with Daniel Craig, Ralph Fiennes and director Cary Joji Fukunaga, visited the No Time to Die set in London last year. Picture: Getty Images

Bond isn’t the only event film stalled because of coronavirus concerns. Variety reported last week that Disney’s Mulan and Pixar’s Onward could also experience delayed international releases.

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Daniel Craig is saying goodbye to 007. Picture: AP

No studios would go on the record about responding to the crisis, the outlet reported, but privately admitted they were taking “a wait-and-see” approach as they stayed in regular contact with the US Centres for Disease Control and the World Health Organisation.

– with the New York Post

Originally published as New James Bond film, No Time to Die, release date delayed over coronavirus fears