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«James Bond 25» release delayed because of coronavirus

5.3.2020

Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson

The cinema release of the new James Bond movie has been moved from April 2020 to November 2020. The reason for this is said to be potential losses in the millions caused by the spread of coronavirus in China and Europe.

For the first time, the spread of COVID-19 – also known as coronavirus – is affecting Hollywood. To be precise, it’s affecting MGM’s «James Bond: No Time to Die».

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.

James Bond Twitter channel, 4 March 2020

The James Bond Twitter channel has further confirmed 12 November 2020 as the new release date for the UK. In the US, the latest Bond Movie with Daniel Craig in the leading role will hit cinemas on 25 November 2020. An official release date for Switzerland and Germany has yet to be communicated.

Potential loss of millions in China could also affect other blockbusters

Earlier this week, the Hollywood Reporter wrote about an open letter composed by bloggers for the world’s biggest Bond fan site. In the letter, the fans demanded a postponement of the release date of «James Bond 007» because of coronavirus and the fear of infection.

It is time to put public health above marketing release schedules and the cost of cancelling publicity events

However, it’s unlikely that the filmmakers responded to the fans’ demands. Instead, the postponement probably had more to do with imminent box office losses in the millions. After all, numerous cinemas in China – a growing and increasingly important market for Hollywood – have been temporarily closed because of the risk of infection. Further closures are looming in South Korea, Italy and Japan.

This makes «No Time to Die» the first big studio blockbuster to be directly affected by coronavirus. Will more blockbusters follow? There’s no way of knowing for sure, but it is likely. Disney is said to have already discussed the postponement of «Mulan» and «Black Widow», with releases scheduled for March and May. Nonetheless, the studio managers have decided to stick to the original date – at least for the time being. Other potentially affected movies are Universal’s «Fast and Furious 9» and Paramount’s «A Quiet Place Part 2», both scheduled for May.

Daniel Craig at the Skyfall premiere.
Source: Piotr Zajac / Shutterstock.com

Why are the studios hesitating to delay? From a financial point of view, sticking to the original date makes sense in view of the millions spent on marketing campaigns that have already been launched in numerous countries. In addition, movie studios «book» the big stars for their most important releases. The presence of these celebs at film festivals, late night shows and film premieres is an effective way of advertising their latest movies.

Be that as it may: «James Bond 25» has been postponed and Daniel Craig aka James Bond has agreed to free up his calendar to promote the movie in autumn.

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Luca Fontana

Senior Editor

Luca.Fontana@digitecgalaxus.ch

I write about technology as if it were cinema, and about films as if they were real life. Between bits and blockbusters, I’m after stories that move people, not just generate clicks. And yes – sometimes I listen to film scores louder than I probably should.

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