LONDON: With a guest list made up of Oscar winners and British royalty, James Bond film "No Time To Die" finally held its delayed world premiere in London on Tuesday in the cinema's most high profile red carpet since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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."
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."
Reuters
Wed Sep 29 2021
Lashana Lynch, Daniel Craig and Lea Seydoux pose during the world premiere of the new James Bond film "No Time To Die" at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Britain, September 28, 2021. - REUTERS
Malaysia tewas 2-3 kepada Denmark pada aksi akhir kumpulan D
Malaysia dan Denmark masing-masing sudah pun melayakkan diri ke suku akhir selepas mencatat kemenangan 5-0 ke atas Hong Kong dan Algeria.
Fungsi JAKIM, Kementerian Perpaduan Negara berbeza - mohd na'im
Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri (Hal Ehwal Agama) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar menegaskan fungsi Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM) adalah berbeza dengan Kementerian Perpaduan Negara (KPN).
Sultan Nazrin dilantik pengerusi bagi tempoh dua tahun
Sultan Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah dilantik sebagai Pengerusi Majlis Kebangsaan Bagi Hal Ehwal Agama Islam Malaysia (MKI) bagi tempoh dua tahun berkuat kuasa 9 Mac 2024 hingga 8 Mac 2026.
JKN Terengganu siasat dakwaan kes keracunan makanan
Jabatan Kesihatan Negeri Terengganu sedang menyiasat dakwaan kes keracunan makanan selepas dipercayai menjamah sejenis kuih membabitkan beberapa individu termasuk kanak-kanak.
Remaja warga asing samun, menyamar pegawai polis ditahan
Polis menahan remaja lelaki pemegang kad Suruhanjaya Tinggi Pertubuhan Bangsa-bangsa Bersatu bagi Pelarian (UNHCR) kerana disyaki terbabit dengan kegiatan samun dan menyamar sebagai anggota polis.
Pesawah mengaku tidak bersalah
Seorang pesawah mengaku tidak bersalah di Mahkamah Sesyen Butterworth atas pertuduhan memuat naik mesej berbau hasutan mengaitkan Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim dengan aktiviti perjudian dalam satu kumpulan WhatsApp, lima hari lalu.
Terengganu tidak bincang cadangan hukuman sebat di khalayak - Azalina
Tiada sebarang perbincangan di antara Kerajaan Negeri Terengganu dan Kerajaan Persekutuan tentang cadangan pelaksanaan hukuman sebat bagi kesalahan syariah di khalayak atau tempat awam.
90 kes direkod di Kelantan dalam tempoh empat bulan
Polis Kelantan merekodkan 90 kes jenayah seksual di negeri itu dalam tempoh empat bulan pertama tahun ini.
Berita tempatan pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Berikut adalah berita yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang Selasa, 30 April 2024.
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
'Sangat berterima kasih...' - Daniel Craig akhirnya ucap selamat tinggal kepada James Bond
No Time To Die bakal menyaksikan Bond kembali dari kehidupan sesudah bersara, semata-mata untuk memburu seorang lagi penjahat baharu.
Perisik hebat yang tertangguh... tayangan filem James Bond ditunda lagi!
Pemilik panggung wayang amat mengharapkan agar filem berkenaan dapat mengembalikan semula momentum jualan.
Ini 8 filem yang ditunda tayangan pada 2020 akibat COVID-19
Filem-filem yang dijadual ditayangkan juga terpaksa ditangguhkan sehingga perintah sekatan selesai.
Billie Eilish terharu diberi penghormatan cipta lagu tema James Bond
Menurut penerbit filem Bond menerusi akaun Twitter rasmi @007, Eilish mengikuti jejak langkah Adele, Madonna, dan Paul McCartney untuk tugasan itu.
Bond 25: Daniel Craig tukar Aston Martin dengan Land Rover
Craig sekali lagi akan memainkan watak utama yang berkisarkan kehidupan yang tenang di sekitar Jamaica, sebelum terjerumus ke dalam satu misi bagi menyelamatkan saintis yang diculik.
Sensasi watak 'jahat' filem Bond terbaharu kini di tangan Rami Malek
Watak antagonis dalam filem perisikan popular itu perlu sama menyerlah dengan watak Bond itu sendiri.
Ada sesiapa mahu beli? 'James Bond' mahu jual Aston Martin miliknya
Daniel Craig akan menyalurkan hasil lelongan tersebut kepada organisasi kebajikan yang menaungi pelajar dari keluarga kurang bernasib baik.
David Beckham nafi khabar bakal berlakon dalam filem James Bond
David Beckham menafikan khabar angin bakal membintangi filem baharu James Bond sebagai ejen 007.
Daniel Craig masih mahukan Adele
Pemegang watak James Bond, Daniel Craig berharap Adele boleh terus menyanyikan lagu tema untuk francais filem tersebut.