After numerous delays No Time to Die is set to hit cinemas this week as James Bond once again reaches fever pitch.
It’s a big week for James Bond. After a slow start following SPECTRE the film was delayed when they changed the director and then the Covid-19 pandemic hit with a month to go. That resulted in three more delays and an agonising 18 month wait to finally see the film.
Finally the film arrives in the UK and many other territories this week, with the premiere tomorrow evening at the Royal Albert Hall. I had always planned on attending the premiere – it would have been my fourth – but circumstances aren’t right for me at the moment. It’s the same for numerous other people I know.
Of course it’s always great to see the new Bond film before everyone else, but the best thing about premieres is Bond fans from all over the world getting together. I’m going to miss that and I’ll be envious of everyone who gets to see the film tomorrow, either at the premiere or at one of the press screenings occurring simultaneously.
I don’t have to wait too long though. Although fully vaccinated I’m still cautious about crowded environments and, living as I do in the middle of nowhere, haven’t even been in a city since March 2020.
Friday though I have a private screening arranged at Verdi cinema in Barcelona and can hardly wait! I’m not really sure I’ll believe it until the lights go down and the projection begins.
While I’m not attending the premiere, The James Bond Dossier is represented tomorrow night and I hope to have a premiere report for you. We’re also attending a press screening at the same time.
Not only is it six years since the last Bond film, but it is also Daniel Craig’s last Bond film. It’s hard to believe that he first appeared as 007 in 2006, fifteen years ago. He is a hugely popular Bond and will be missed.
It is hard to imagine where the series goes next and think Barbara Broccoli is going to have to sit down and think long and hard about the future of the series. Assuming Amazon’s deal to buy MGM goes through I suspect they will have plenty of ideas.
But how well those ideas sit with Broccoli are to be seen as Eon Productions has always had almost unprecedented creative control.
It’s time to enjoy No Time to Die, but after the excitement dies down I suspect we’re in for a long delay again.
