F9 and No Time to Die Release Updates

The release of F9, the latest film in the Fast and Furious franchise, has reportedly been delayed to May 2021. This delay is a consequence of the new James Bond film, No Time to Die, which will now debut on F9‘s originally scheduled date of April 2, 2021. It appears that showcasing these two major blockbusters on the same weekend would not be ideal for either film.

Impact of the Pandemic on Release Dates

This signifies the second adjustment for both films’ release dates. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic forced the original summer 2020 openings to be rescheduled. Although No Time to Die was initially postponed to November, the persistent threat of COVID-19 resulted in another delay, now set for April 2, 2021. In light of these changes, F9 is also moving its premiere date to avoid direct competition for ticket sales with the 25th Bond film.

Concerns Over Future Delays

Furthermore, there remains a possibility for both movies to be postponed a third time. The United States is facing significant public health challenges, with over 200,000 COVID-19-related deaths. Limited testing and minimal contact tracing may hinder the ability to safely gather large audiences in theaters by the targeted release dates. However, the hope is that normalcy will return before these films grace the big screen.