"The new release date reflects changes specific to the Australian marketplace impacted by COVID," The Wrap explains.

"With more than 60% of the Australian marketplace currently in a state of lockdown and a government mandate the lockdown remain in place until 70% of the population is vaccinated, the earliest estimate to reach that goal is the end of October. Businesses will be allowed to function normally at 80% vaccination rate, which is targeted for mid-November."

Globally, the new Bond movie "No Time To Die" is set for a world premiere date of late September in the UK, despite speculation in the entertainment industry that the film's release might be delayed for a fourth time because of the coronavirus epidemic.

A posting on the official @007 Bond Twitter account said the red carpet world premiere for the Universal Pictures and MGM film would take place in London on Sept. 28th, ahead of the planned Sept. 30th release date in U.K. movie theaters.

The movie is due to be released in the United States on Oct. 8th.

The date for "No Time to Die" has been moved three times from its original April 2020 slot since the outbreak of the pandemic in March 2020 as movie theaters around the world closed their doors and restrictions were placed on audience capacity.

James Bond movies are among the most valuable film franchises in Hollywood, with 2015's "Spectre" raking in $880 million at the box office worldwide, while "Skyfall" in 2012 grossed more than $1 billion globally.

The film, which cost an estimated $200 million to produce, marks Daniel Craig's last outing as the British secret agent and is among the most anticipated potential blockbusters this year.

However the Delta variant of COVID-19 has led to a rise in infections in the United States and elsewhere, raising concern about whether audiences will feel safe sitting in cinemas.

Box office receipts for recent big releases, including "Black Widow" and "The Suicide Squad," have been disappointing as Hollywood studios have released some films direct to streaming platforms.

Takings at the box office for North America are running about 50% behind the same period in 2019, according to Variety.

Sony Corp's movie studio last week delayed the release of superhero sequel "Venom: Let There Be Carnage" by nearly a month to mid-October.

Story By | By Jill Serjeant