It feels as though years have passed since the coronavirus pandemic first began to delay film releases across the world, however, 007 fans haven’t forgotten about No Time to Die, the long-awaited, highly-anticipated James Bond flick originally due out in April.

While the 25th film in the franchise has been pushed back several times over the past few months, cinemas are finally able to re-open in the UK so hopefully Bond will be back on our screens later this year as planned.

No Time to Die, which is set to be Daniel Craig’s last outing as the iconic British spy, has stumbled over various production hurdles along the way aside from COVID-19, with original director Danny Boyle being replaced by Cary Joji Fukunaga and Fleabag’s Phoebe Waller-Bridge being drafted in to punch up the script.

However, Fukunaga has recently confirmed that No Time to Die is finished and ready for cinemas, and the Bond team has teased fans with a sneak peak at a tense moment between Bond and M (Ralph Fiennes) by London’s Hammersmith Bridge – so it’s full steam ahead towards the November release date!

James Bond’s No Time to Die Relesase Date

Bond 25 was scheduled to be released April 3, 2020 in the UK and April 8 in the USA.

However, the film’s official Twitter stated that No Time to Die would be postponed due to the COVI-19 pandemic: “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.”

The film will be released in the U.K. on November 12, 2020, while the US release date is November 20 (5 days earlier than preciously announced).

It would marl a four-year gap between the new film and Spectre.

The shoot of No Time to Die eventually wrapped on the day it was originally supposed to hit theaters.

Director Cary Joji Fukunaga said that he has resisted the urge to tweak No Time To Die during the pandemic: “You could just fiddle and tweak and it doesn’t necessarily get better. For all intents and purposes, we had finished the film. I had mentally finished the film. Mentally and emotionally.”

No Time to Die Trailer

A new trailer was unveiled during the Super Bowl, suggesting that the new Bond film will b different.

The first trailer showed the return of Bond arch-nemesis Blofeld (played by two-time Oscar winner Christoph Waltz).

It also hints at a dark secret being concealed by Bond’s love Madeleine Swann and introduces Rami Malek’s villain, known as “Safin.” (No further details about the villain’s specicif identity.)

There is also a a teasing Billie Eilish’s new theme track for the film

No Time To Die: Cast

This is Daniel Craig’s final outing as Bond!

Ralph Fiennes (M), Lea Seydoux (Madeleine Swann), Naomie Harris (Moneypenny), Ben Whishaw (Q), Rory Kinnear (Bill Tanner) and Jeffrey Wright (Felix Leiter) reprise their roles.

A new still shows Harris, Kinnear and Whishaw in some sort of a control room.

While another snap shows us Bond drinking at a Jamaican bar with Felix Leiter (no word on whether their drinks were shaken and/or stirred). The pair are teaming up to search for missing scientist, Valdo Obruchev.

After months of speculation, Oscar winner Rami Malek was confirmed as the villain, named Safin.

He revealed via video link that he was going to play a Bond villain, saying: “I promise you all I will be making sure Mr Bond doesn’t have an easy ride in this, his 25th outing.”

He later added: “This is just a perfect follow-up to Bohemian Rhapsody,” the Queen biopic which saw him win his first Oscar in February 2019. “Going from one iconic Brit to an iconic British franchise.”

Malek has also revealed that he sought reassurance from director Cary Fukunaga that his character wouldn’t be portrayed as an Arabic-speaking terrorist.

“It’s a great character and I’m very excited,” he told the Mirror. “But that was one thing that I discussed with Cary. I said, ‘We cannot identify him with any act of terrorism reflecting an ideology or a religion. That’s not ­something I would entertain, so if that is why I am your choice then you can count me out’. But that was clearly not his vision. So he’s a very different kind of terrorist.”

Alongside Malek are a host of famous names. Captain Marvel’s breakout star Lashana Lynch has joined the cast as a character called Nomi, who will reportedly get the code name 007 after Bond retires, while Ana de Armas is believed to be Bond’s love interest – Paloma.

David Dencik plays a character named Waldo who, according to a tweet from the actor’s cousin, is another villain, while Billy Magnussen is reportedly starring as a CIA agent and Dali Benssalah joining the cast in an unannounced role.

Intriguingly, Ernst Blofeld (played Christoph Waltz) will be returning to the Bond franchise, the villain from Spectre making a comeback in the film’s first full trailer.

What is Bond 25: No Time to Die about?

No Time to Die has been written by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, Cary Joji Fukunaga and Phoebe Waller-bridge, based on a story by Purvis, Wade and Fukunaga.

With Phoebe Waller-Bridge part of the No Time To Die writing team, there will be sparky Fleabag-inspired lines.

“There’s something about James Bond that always intrigued me in a similar way that Villanelle did,” the Killing Eve writer said. “They live a fantasy! But it’s a life none of us would ever want, if we’re honest. We don’t want to go put a bullet in someone’s head to sleep with people and have martinis. It’s a kind of fantasy nightmare.”

Waller-Bridge added: “A lot has been made of me coming on board because I’m a woman, and that’s wonderful. But also I can’t take credit for the movie that was written. It’s Cary’s movie.”

The film will start with Bond living in the Caribbean, no longer working for Her Majesty’s Service.

“Bond is not on active service when we start the film, he is actually enjoying himself in Jamaica. We consider Jamaica bond’s spiritual home. He starts his journey here,” executive producer Barbara Broccoli said.

The film’s official synopsis reads: Recruited to rescue a kidnapped scientist, globe-trotting spy James Bond finds himself hot on the trail of a mysterious villain, who’s armed with a dangerous new technology.

Naomie Harris, who plays Eve Moneypenny fuelled speculation saying that No Time to Die would be a “tie-up of Skyfall and Spectre” with plenty of shocking moments.

“[No Time to Die has] massive, massive surprises that even had me like, ‘Oh, wow!’ So I think we’re going to really shock people,” she said in an interview.

She added: “We’re definitely seeing a Bond who’s more in touch with his feelings and more open to falling in love.”

A behind-the-scenes sneak peek from director Cary Joji Fukunaga revealed that Bond will have been in retirement for five years at the start of No Time to Die.

“Where is he? After five years of retirement, who has he become?” the director asks in the clip.

“He is sort of a wounded animal, struggling with his role as a 00. The world has changed, the rules of engagement aren’t what they used to be, the rules of espionage are darker in this era of asymmetric warfare.”.

He also appears to tease the threat posed by Malek’s Safrin: “There is someone new out there, more dangerous than anyone he has ever encountered, and whoever they are is smarter and stronger than Spectre.”

We know the film opens with a car chase (we wouldn’t expect anything less), and here’s an image, released on 18th May, of Bond emerging from that sequence looking grubby and sexy. He’s accompanied by lover Madeleine Swann, the French psychologist we met in Spectre, played by Lea Seydoux. We know from the trailer that Bond discovers a shocking secret about Madeleine early in the film.

No Time to Die’s locations

The film was shot in Jamaica, Matera in Italy, London and Norway, where early scenes were filmed by a frozen lake. The James Bond Twitter account shared a few photos from Italy.

The 007 Instagram account teased fans in July 2020 by posting a picture of Bond (Daniel Craig) and M (Ralph Fiennes) having a tense conversation by Hammersmith Bridge in London – a scene filmed a year ago.

Who will direct the next Bond film?

After Danny Boyle quit the project in August 2018, it was announced the following month that US director Cary Joji Fukunaga would helm Bond 25.

Fukunaga was director and exec producer of the 2014 series of True Detective, which saw him scoop the Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series. He was also at the helm of Netflix’s acclaimed mini-series Mania.

The 41-year-old has previously directed the features Sin Nombre and the 2012 film adaptation of Jane Eyre, both of which garnered positive reviews from critics.

News of his hire was confirmed by the official James Bond Twitter account by producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.

The statement read: “We are delighted to be working with Cary. His versatility and innovation make him an excellent choice for our next James Bond adventure.”

Who sings the Bond 25 theme song?

It was confirmed in January 2020 that 18-year-old Billie Eilish would write and perform No Time to Die, the title track, making her the youngest artist ever to perform a 007 number – she’s co-written the song with her brother, singer/songwriter Finneas.

“It feels crazy to be a part of this in every way,” Eilish said. “To be able to score the theme song to a film that is part of such a legendary series is a huge honour.  James Bond is the coolest film franchise ever to exist. I’m still in shock.”

No Time to Die producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, meanwhile, described the song as “incredibly powerful and moving”, adding that it has been “impeccably crafted to work within the emotional story of the film”.

You can listen to the track here:

Prior to the Eilish announcements, the rumor mill had suggested that Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, Lana Del Rey and Beyonce might be recording the No Time to Die theme song, while Adele was also reported as potentially returning to the franchise after impressing with her 2012 track Skyfall.

Ed Sheeran’s manager Stuart Camp confirmed that the star had met with Bond boss Barbara Broccoli two years earlier and that the filmmakers were “interested” at the time in having Sheeran perform the theme.

“It’s certainly something [Sheeran would] want to do though, it’s a box that’s still to be ticked, for sure.”

Looks like Ed will have to wait for his shot…

It was also confirmed in January that Oscar winner Hans Zimmer would provide the score for No Time To Die, replacing original composer Dan Romer who left the project in December 2019.

Zimmer revealed that he would be bringing guitars back to the score – a decision he reached after a conversation with The Smiths’ guitarist Johnny Marr.

He said, “I’ve known Barbara Broccoli for a long time, and we’re friends. I never thought we would work together on something like that, so it was surprising just to get the call.

“I didn’t know if I wanted to do it. So I phoned Johnny Marr and I said, ‘I have two questions to ask you. First question is: what’s the only guitar part worth playing in a movie?’ And he said, ‘The Bond part’.

“And I said, ‘Yeah right. Second question: Do you think I should do the movie and would you play the guitar part?’ So that sort of settled that. Johnny was right.”

What cars are there in Bond 25?

Bond’s car in the new film will be… the Aston Martin Valhalla. The hybrid car is capable of going from 0 to 60mph in under three seconds, and is powered by a specially-developed turbocharged V6 petrol engine.

The Valhalla – which replaces the model used in Spectre–is priced at £1.5 million, and follows in the tradition of Aston Martin naming its cars with the letter ‘V’, this time drawing on Norse mythology.

“Aston Martin model names always attract a lot of attention,” explained Aston boss Andy Palmer. “They do so because they invariably capture an emotion or tell a story.

“Norse mythology contains such powerful language and rich storytelling it felt only right that the AM-RB 003 (as it was formerly named) should follow the Valkyrie’s theme.”

The classic Aston Martin DB5 – first featured in 1964’s Goldfinger and reintroduced for the Daniel Craig era in 2006’s Casino Royale – will also play a part in the film.

Plus, it has now been revealed that another old favourite will be making an appearance, the Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Eagle-eyed Bond impresarios have already clocked the number plate: they have seen it before in 1987 Bond film The Living Daylights, in which Timothy Dalton played 007.

Will this be Daniel Craig’s last appearance as 007?

Since taking the reins from Pierce Brosnan as the secret agent in 2005, Craig has garnered universal praise for his portrayal as Bond in the last four films.

After claiming he would “rather slash his wrists” than play Bond again, but in August 2017 Craig confirmed he would be back playing Bond for “one last time” in the 25th film, with rumours rife that Bond may die in the closing moments.

Asked by The Late Show host Stephen Colbert if he was “done with Bond” in November 2019, Craig confirmed, “Yes – it’s done.”

Speculation has already begun on who will take Craig’s place, with Outlander’s Sam Heughan among those to put their hand up and discuss the coveted role.

The Scottish actor fueled Bond rumors in June 2020, after labelling 007 “the dream role”.

Speaking to Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby on This Morning, the 40-year-old Scot revealed that he previously auditioned for the iconic role 15 years ago.

“Obviously it’s a dream for every actor. I auditioned for it back when they were doing Bond 21 when Daniel Craig was cast in Casino Royale and I think a lot of actors were seen in the UK,” he said.

Why was Bond 25 delayed?

The schedule was thrown into jeopardy when original director Danny Boyle pulled out of the project, citing creative differences.

It was previously reported by The Sun that Boyle, 61, quit as director over a reluctance to kill off Bond at the end of the film.

A source explained: “Daniel Craig… and producer Barbara Broccoli are believed to have wanted Bond to die in a ‘spectacular finale’, according to sources. But Oscar-winner Boyle, 61, refused to kill off the secret agent, labelling the idea ‘ridiculous.’”

Boyle has since added: “I learned my lesson that I am not cut out [for franchises] otherwise you’re digging in the same hole. I am better not quite in the mainstream franchise movies, is the honest answer.”

The film was further pushed back when Craig, 50, wanted to help wife Rachel Weisz out at home, after she gave birth to their first child together in September 2018.

The delay also saw him sign up to a second project, playing the lead in murder mystery film Knives Out (alongside Bond co-star Ana de Armas) which filmed in late 2018.

The various setbacks put the new Bond film at a release date of 14th February 2020 – but that was delayed AGAIN.

Hopefully, this time the release date will stick…

How did Daniel Craig injure himself during filming?

During an action shoot on set in Jamaica, Daniel Craig slipped while sprinting, sustaining an injury to his ankle.

The production team confirmed on Twitter in May 2019 that the 007 actor would be out of action for two weeks as he underwent ‘minor surgery’.

However, the tweet added that the film should still be on course for its April 2020 release date.

Just a few weeks later, in June 2019, an explosion caused a minor injury to a crewmember, and destroyed some of the 007 stage at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire.

But by mid-June, things looked back on track when the official Bond Twitter page shared a photo of Craig hitting the gym in preparation to restart shooting.

Actress Naomie Harris said: “He’s such a trooper and such a strong guy that I think even if he was still in pain, he would just chug along and make sure that we complete it on schedule.”

And by the end of the month, the official James Bond Twitter account had shared a picture and video of the star filming with an Aston Martin V8 in Whitehall, London.

How will Bond 25 end?

The producers are taking no chances with No Time To Die plot leaks, with Fukunaga shooting three different endings to the film.

The project is so shrouded with mystery, not even Craig knows which ending will be chosen as the film’s “real” ending.

According to reports, one ending sees a group of people being gassed on a dance-floor, while one source has suggested Bond could be killed off and replaced by a woman in the very final scenes.

“Everyone’s in the dark, the secrecy is off the chart,” a source said.

Behind the scenes of the new Bond film

The team has released a snazzy behind the scenes look at Bond 25. Take a look at Fukunaga and Craig in action on set below.

Photo featuring a bloodied Bond, was also released in early November 2019.