With only one month left before the latest James Bond instalment No Time to Die was set to be released, it was announced that the film would be further delayed until April 2021 as a result of the global resurgence of coronavirus cases. This is the second time the film has been delayed as its original release was set for April 2020 before the pandemic hit.
Daniel Craig’s new film is not the only one to be hit with deferments though, as Timothee Chalamet’s sci-fi epic Dune was also due to come out in December but has now been moved to October 2021. This is similarly the case for blockbusters Wonder Woman 1984 and Marvel Studio’s Black Widow, both of which originally had Autumn releases.
In a statement issued by a spokesperson on behalf of Universal and the Bond producers, the rescheduling comes as a means of keeping film-lovers safe and to ensure the film is 'seen by a worldwide theatrical audience'. Agent 007 himself justified the producers’ decision to delay the film as Craig explained, "The pandemic is bigger than all of us. We just want people to go and see this movie in the right way, a safe way.”
The delay, although in the best interest and safety of fans, does not look good for the cinema industry. Already fighting the onslaught of new streaming services, without upcoming and much-anticipated films generating footfall and major revenue, cinemas find themselves being forced into a bleak black hole. Many have gone so far as to say it is the film industry’s own time to die with survival of the pandemic looking unlikely.
This is particularly reflected in UK cinema chain 'Cineworld' which after Bond’s delay confirmed the closure of sites in both the UK and the US, creating job fears for approximately 45,000 passionate film-lovers across the two countries. If this is the case for the bigger cinemas, what can we expect for smaller, independent venues who already struggled on a day-to-day basis pre-pandemic?
The delay also comes as a hit for fans who seek solace and happiness from an evening at the cinema, surrounded by fellow-minded film fanatics. Missing the smell of popcorn in the air and the big screen, it doesn’t quite hit the same to watch a new release on your small laptop at home.
Will the cinema industry cling on for dear life so fans can go and see the latest Bond instalment on the big screen in Spring next year? Only time will tell.
Edited by Hannah Youds
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