Image for the official James Bond feed on Twitter
COMMENTARY
Over the past week, some Bond fans have gotten upset.
They were mad about a March 2 open letter from the MI6 James Bond website and The James Bond Dossier that urged a delay in the premiere for No Time to Die because of the coronavirus.
Two days later, Eon Productions announced that the movie would be delayed until November.
Was that because of the open letter? Likely not. The open letter merely drew attention to issues that studio executives, et. al., were already looking at.
The announcement referenced “the global theatrical marketplace.” It didn’t take Sherlock Holmes to deduce this was probably a reference to the coronavirus. Since then, there have been other changes in movie release dates.
Nevertheless, some Bond fans are still mad. How dare the authors of the open letter speak for all fans?
Of course, the open letter never said it was on behalf of ALL fans. It cited how key international markets in China, South Korea, and Japan had been affected. Since the open letter was posted, the disease has spread. Italy now has been shut down.
Some fans are still mad about the open letter. Such fans argue that the delay may have been the right move, but the open letter should never have been written.
Whatever. It’s time to move on. The coronavirus has continued to spread. The World Health Organization today declared the coronavirus is a pandemic.
To be clear, I often am a guest on the James Bond & Friends podcast produced by the MI6 James Bond site. I have not given the site a heads up that I was doing this post.
We are in a pandemic. It’s time to put aside arguments and debates. No Time to Die’s debut has been delayed. Instead of attacking other Bond fans, it’s time to prepare for what is to come.
UPDATE (March 12): Since this post was published, a number of other films have seen their release date pushed back. Variety reported that Fast & Furious 9 is being delayed by almost a year. It had been set for release on May 22, 2020. Movies in the series depend heavily on markets outside the U.S.
According to a post from the movie’s Twitter feed, the 9th installment will come out in April 2021.
Filed under: James Bond Films | Tagged: Bond 25, coronavirus, No Time to Die, World Health Organization |
The Spy Command 
I respect their podcast and will continue to listen. However, they basically said the letter was more about them missing the event because of their personal fears, not for the betterment of the franchise. I lost respect for their opinion after the podcast. I just disagreed with it previously.
Well said. I can’t say I wasn’t disappointed, I had already purchased tickets, but it’s only a movie. Additionally, I hadn’t purchased airline tickets to fly to London – I hope you were refunded!
I. still Believe Eon Productions made the right decision, in the interest of all involved in making ”NO TIME TO DIE” and it’s loyal Bond Fan Base world wide. James Bond in my opinion, will return Bigger and Better in November (2020)
Hi Todd – thanks for the comment. Maybe that part of it was a little misconstrued. Us considering our own travel and potential risks to pur families got us thinking about the wider picture. Started micro, ended macro.
I standby my position that had the release gone ahead anyway, hardcore fans would have willingly endangered themselves (and therefore others) to go see it, whereas for any other film they would not accept the risk. That’s the crux of it.
@James I must be reading your comment incorrectly, because it sounds like you’re suggesting people, in particular Bond fans, are too ignorant to think for themselves.
[…] the blog has said before, it’s time to get real. Pandemics don’t happen that often. But we’re in one […]
Bill,
Would you consider writing a one sentence blurb for the back cover of my book? The publisher has asked me to contact some major lights in The Bond sphere and I would love for you to be one of them.
I have enclosed the A-M portion. I think itâs my most beautiful Bond book yet.
If you can get me a sentence by the weekend, that would be great!
Cheers! Best, Steve
By the way, in going over the acknowledgments, they forgot to include your name, which I am rectifying immediately. Geez!
Best. Steve