James Bond bosses have confirmed that they’re postponing the release of new film No Time To Die by seven months.
Originally slated for release next month, the film will now hit UK cinemas on 12 November, and will arrive in the US just shy of two weeks later.
The news comes as a number of countries – including Italy, Japan and China – have closed cinemas completely, in a bid to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
In a statement published on Wednesday, Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli revealed they were pushing back the release after a “thorough evaluation of the global theatrical marketplace”.
They said: “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.”
This setback is the latest in a long line of difficulties faced by No Time To Die during production, which has also included the departure of the film’s original director Danny Boyle, and a crew member acquiring a “minor injury” after a controlled explosion on set went wrong.
Lead actor Daniel Craig was also forced to take two weeks off after injuring himself during filming.
No Time To Die will be Daniel’s final outing as James Bond, having first debuted in the role in Casino Royale back in 2006.
The upcoming instalment in the hit film franchise will see Oscar-winning star Rami Malek playing Bond’s new adversary, while Lashana Lynch will play a new character, who has succeeded the titular character as agent 007.
Billie Eilish has recorded the theme song for the new film, which earned the 18-year-old singer her first UK number one hit upon its release last month.