Wet weather failed to dampen
spirits as Daniel Craig, dressed in an
eye-catching pink velvet dinner jacket, and
co-stars including Rami Malek, Lashana Lynch and
Lea Seydoux reunited for the hotly anticipated
movie, which cinema operators hope will help
bring audiences back to pre-pandemic levels.
"No Time To Die", the 25th Bond movie, has been
delayed three times since its original April
2020 slot as movie theatres around the world
were forced to shut their doors as well as
impose audience number restrictions due to the
pandemic.
The Universal Pictures and MGM film, part of one
of Hollywood's biggest franchises, marks Craig's
fifth and final outing as the suave British
secret agent, wrapping up a 15-year tenure that
began with 2006's "Casino Royale".
"It's such a great relief. It was so important
to me to come and celebrate with all the other
cast and crew and to get it into the cinemas and
we're here," Craig told Reuters.
"A year ago I didn't think that was going to
happen."
Asked what he was going to miss the most from
playing 007, he said: "The people."
Costing an estimated $200 million to produce,
"No Time To Die" sees Bond come out of
retirement in Jamaica to help track down a new
villain, described by Oscar winner Malek as "mischievous(and)
devious", and armed with lethal technology.
"The most daunting part was just coming up with
a good story," director Cary Joji Fukunaga said.
"I think of it as a last chapter of this one
book where we (first) met Daniel in 'Casino
Royale' (and) it's all part of the same story."
The film introduces 00 agent Nomi, played by
Lynch, who said: "I'm just happy it's here and
we get to celebrate it in the way that it
deserves."
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Also at the premiere were
Britain's Prince Charles and his son Prince
William and their wives. As a thanks for their
frontline work during the pandemic, health
workers and members of the armed forces were
also invited.
Former Bond actress Judi Dench and Grammy Award
winner Billie Eilish, who sings the film's theme
tune, also attended.
Beginning its cinema rollout this week, "No Time
To Die" is among the most anticipated movies
this autumn.
"I know the world is expecting this film," said Seydoux,
who reprises her "Spectre" role as Madeleine
Swann.
"We gave everything to this film ... and I hope
people will love it."
Expectations are high after the last two Bond
films, 2015’s "Spectre" and 2012's "Skyfall",
grossed $880 million and more than $1 billion
globally.
"Now that the cinemas are open we're really
happy to be supporting the industry," producer
Barbara Broccoli said.
"We made this film for the cinema and we want
people to enjoy it."
(Reporting by Hanna Rantala; additional
reporting by Marie-Louise Gumuchian; Writing by
Marie-Louise GumuchianEditing by Alistair Bell)
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