The next James Bond film, No Time To Die, delayed until April 2, 2021

The release of the upcoming James Bond film, No Time to Die, has been pushed back again due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The release of the upcoming James Bond film No Time To Die has been pushed back yet again due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Initially, it was meant to hit cinemas in April, but then it got pushed back to November, and now fans have to wait until next year, on April 2, to watch the highly-anticipated movie featuring Daniel Craig as James Bond.

“We understand the delay will be disappointing to our fans but we now look forward to sharing No Time To Die next year,” a statement on the film’s site read, adding the reason is so it can be seen “by a worldwide theatrical audience”.

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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 2021 in order to be seen by a worldwide theatrical audience. pic.twitter.com/NqHlU24Ho3

— James Bond (@007) October 2, 2020

It’s the first Hollywood film to change its release schedule due to the virus.

No Time to Die was originally scheduled for a March 31 world premiere in London and a North American and Australian debut on April 10 but the spread of the virus has led to theatres closing in Italy, South Korea, China, and Japan.

It is due to be Craig’s final appearance as the British secret service agent, as well as Lea Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Ralph Fiennes, and Christoph Waltz.

Oscar-winner Rami Malek joined the cast as Bond’s next nemesis along with franchise newcomers Ana de Armas and Lashana Lynch.

It’s been four years since we got our last Bond fix. Picture: Nicola Dove © 2019 DANJAQ, LLC AND MGM

It was one of the biggest upcoming movie releases, alongside Disney’s live action Mulan remake, set to be released at the end of this month, as well as Fast & Furious 9, which has a May release.

They are yet to be postponed.

In China, the world’s second biggest movie market, all of its 70,000 cinemas have been closed since late January when the COVID-19 outbreak was first reported.

According to Comscore data quoted in Variety, China’s box office in January and February this year has totalled $US238 million compared to $US2.14 billion for same period in 2019. That equates to a revenue loss of $US1.91 billion.

Hollywood movies that were due for release earlier this year in China have been postponed indefinitely, including Sonic the Hedgehog, Doolittle, 1917, Little Women and Jojo Rabbit.

The last Bond film, Spectre, took almost $US900 million ($A1.25 million) at worldwide box offices in 2015.