Rumors of another No Time To Die postponement are growing

By: Laurent Perriot

Published:
2021-01-17

The 25th James Bond film, No Time To Die, has already been the subject of several postponements. From November 2019 it was postponed to February 2020, then to April 2020 (due to a change of the initial director, a finalization of the film) and, following the corona virus epidemic, moved to November 2020.

Unfortunately, as the epidemic did not make the November 2020 release possible, MGM, Universal and EON Productions have rescheduled a release for April 2021.

The current global situation (65% of cinemas closed in the USA, an almost total re-lockdown in Europe, an uncertain situation in Asia) leads many to think that April 2021 will not yet see the return of 007 on the big screen.

So when?

The period from October to November 2021 then seems the most likely. This depends on several conditions: the success of the vaccination and the number of theaters that will have survived this economic tragedy. Yes, you need cinemas to see a film.

On the other hand, MGM is adrift and almost on the verge of bankruptcy: no studio films were released in 2020 so no financial income. Only accounting expenses.

James Bond might have to alleviate the financial burden under which MGM is sinking. Again.

The platforms (Netflix, Amazon, Apple and Disney+) are increasingly eyeing MGM and are offering a lot of money to get the rights to the film - even buy MGM. But not at any cost.

This idea is also starting to gain traction, because even if Barbara Broccoli claimed that her decision is that the film should only be released on the big screen, unfortunately since the last 6 previous months things have changed, and Danjaq/EON begins to be caught in the crossfire.

On the one hand, MGM is pressing for a sale to a platform. But they must also consider others: The licensed partners.

Indeed, they paid a high price for the right to make products stamped 007 - products which cannot be sold until the film is released.

This is a huge financial loss for these brands. Storing the products for such a long period of time and not having the expected income in return is costing them a fortune.

For example, Taschen, which publishes a new expensive version of its James Bond Archives, printed in thousands of copies which must still be stored. OMEGA has to suspend marketing No Time To Die watches, as do the automobile and clothing brands. The logic is the same.

This shortfall also threatens the sustainability and survival of some of these brands.

The plight of these licensed partners to market and sell their Bond product is putting pressure MGM. The situation has taken all the parties by the throat. It's this additional pressure that might lead Danjaq/EON to opt for a platform release. The licensees would reap an immediate financial return by finally being able to market No Time To Die and sell their associated products.

One thing that is certain is that even within Danjaq/EON, the debate is starting to emerge ...

James Bond may have more to save than MGM.

To be continued...

All text. Copyright © 2021 Laurent Perriot. All rights reserved.

Watch the latest trailer for No Time To Die starring Daniel Craig as Ian Fleming's 007:

For the latest official announcements on No Time To Die, visit the official website.

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