Fans have been given their first glimpse at Daniel Craig’s eagerly anticipated fifth and final outing as James Bond, with the first full trailer for No Time To Die released on Wednesday.
The no-holds-barred teaser is typically dramatic with Bond involved in a high-speed chase through the narrow, winding streets of Matera alongside his panic-stricken love Madeleine Swann, played by Lea Seydoux.
He later launches himself off a bridge in the historic southern Italian city, and later comes face to face with straight-talking Nomi, played by Lashana Lynch – rumoured to be the first female 007.
He’s back! The first trailer for the latest James Bond movie was released on Wednesday, with Daniel Craig reprising his role for the fifth and final time
Footage from the highly-anticipated film, directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga and co-written by Fleabag’s Phoebe Waller-Bridge, shows Daniel back in the role but no longer working as the spy, therefore relinquishing his 007 credentials and licence to kill.
Bond has been living quietly off the grid in Jamaica with Swann, until he is visited on the Caribbean island by old friend Felix Leiter, played by Jeffrey Wright, who calls him back into action.
His peaceful world is later upended following his first meeting with Nomi, played by Captain Marvel star Lashana, who brusquely tells him the cultural landscape has drastically changed in the five years since his last mission.
‘The world has moved on Commander Bond,’ she tells him. ‘You get in my way I will put a bullet in your knee. The one that works.’
When Bond asks if she is a double 0, she confirms she has been for two years – suggesting she capably filled his shoes.
Newbie? Lashana Lynch, who plays Nomi, is reportedly set to replace Bond and makes a sassy entrance to the franchise with her goading behaviour in the trailer – and joins new Bond Girl Ana De Armas as Paloma (R)
Villainous: Rami is taking the role as lead villain Safin in the movie
He’s back: The trailer was released on the official James Bond Twitter account, with the caption: ”Bond… James Bond’ – The first trailer for #NoTimeToDie is here! In cinemas April 2020 #Bond25 #BondJamesBond’
Brooding: Daniel looks handsome as he strikes a brooding look in the gritty new trailer
The two-and-a-half-minute trailer opens with Bond and Madeleine being chased in his iconic Aston Martin DB5, as he suspects her of betraying him.
It also marks the return of Christoph Waltz as Ernst Blofeld, who appears to corroborate his fears.
The emergence of Blofeld, who has been one of Bond’s enemies since his introduction in 1963 classic From Russia with Love, is confirmed after endless fan speculation.
The character, head of world criminal organisation Spectre, has featured in no less than seven previous films in the long-running franchise.
The name’s Naomie… Naomie Harris, who plays Miss Moneypenny, makes an appearance alongside James and Nom
Bond’s true love? Lea Seydoux reprises her role as Dr Madeleine Swann in the hotly anticipated new film
First meeting: The new female 00 Nomi has a powerful first encounter with the former 007
His time to die? Bond comes under fire in the gritty new trailer as he drives through the winding streets of Matera
Explosive scenes: The Oscar winner only shows his full face towards the end of the trailer, when Bond tells him: ‘History is not kind to men who play God’
Haunting: Rami has thrown himself into the evil new role as Bond’s latest nemesis in No Time To Die
But he is now under lock and key and safely chained up behind glass when Bond interviews him about what he knows, five years after his spectacular downfall at the end of 2015 blockbuster Spectre.
A helpless Blofeld, his vision impaired by a bloody eye, could only look on helplessly as Bond and Swann drove into the sunset together following a chase across the River Thames.
And Swann is clearly still on his mind as he suggests the French psychologist is not all she seems, telling Bond: ‘You gave up everything for her. When her secret finds its way out it will be the death of you.’
WOAH! The trailer ends with Bond in driver’s seat of the Aston Martin taking heavy gun fire but protected by bulletproof glass, before he releases huge machine guns from the headlights
Serious warning: As Ralph Fiennes’ M cautions: ‘The world is arming faster than we can respond,’ there are only brief looks at Rami Malek’s mysterious villain Safin, who seems to be heavily scarred and covering much of his face with a white mask’
The man in the white mask: Rami’s Safin seems to be heavily scarred and covering much of his face with a white mask
Under pressure: Paloma looks terrifed as she comes under fire in a scene from the new film
Explosive: A car chase sees a vehicle thrown up into the air during a drive on a coastal path
Later, Ralph Fiennes’ M cautions: ‘The world is arming faster than we can respond,’ there are only brief looks at Rami Malek’s mysterious villain Safin, who seems to be heavily scarred and covering much of his face with a white mask.
The Oscar winner only shows his full face towards the end of the trailer, when Bond tells him: ‘History is not kind to men who play God.’
Later in the clip there is a surprise in store when Swann appears with Nomi, and Bond is shocked to see them together.
There are also an inevitable array of high-octane stunts, when Bond leaps off a huge bridge swinging from a rope and engages in a thrilling motorcycle chase over rooftops.
The trailer ends with Bond in driver’s seat of the Aston Martin taking heavy gun fire but protected by bulletproof glass, before he releases huge machine guns from the headlights.
Face-off: Bond is seen facing off with old nemesis Blofeld , played by Christoph Waltz
Wayward: Bond is approached by Nomi as he walks along the side of the road during their first meeting
Eerie: New villain Safin unboxes an eerie white mask which he puts on in later scenes from the film
Gadgets: No Bond film would be complete without some gadgets, with guns coming out of the Aston Martin
Under attack: The Aston Martin is targeted by a ruthless villain with an assault rifle
Hello: Nomi strikes a seductive pose as she greets Bond by the side of the road
High octane: The secret service agent’s custom Aston Martin is equipped with machine guns which strike down Bond’s enemies
Different life: In the start of the film, Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica
The clip was released on the official James Bond Twitter account, with the caption: ”Bond… James Bond’ – The first trailer for #NoTimeToDie is here! In cinemas April 2020 #Bond25 #BondJamesBond’.
Fans soon flooded social media to voice excitement for the upcoming movie, as fans wrote: ‘I am HYPED… Already better than Spectre… Daniel Craig you are fire…
‘Totally I think it’s the perfect way for Daniel Craig to end it for him , his swan song as 007 , but yeah it’s already looking better than Spectre was… Rami malek is going to be an amazing villain!!!…
‘No TIME TO DIE looks superb. Lashana Lynch immediately stands out in the trailer and looks like the film’s MVP. Can’t wait… No Time to Die looks great! Raimi sounds so threatening with that accent!…
‘My God the trailer for#NoTimeToDie looks absolutely AMAZING! Blofeld is BACK with Madeline and Felix! New characters brought into it and our first glance at Safin!…
Wow: There are also an inevitable array of high-octane stunts, when Bond leaps off a huge bridge swinging from a rope and engages in a thrilling motorcycle chase over rooftops.
Steamy: Naturally there are sex scenes in the film, due to Bond’s iconic Lothario status
Bang! There was an abundance of guns and explosions in the teaser for the film, set to debut in April
‘No Time To Die is going all out for Craig last run as 007, and I’m so so excited for this! I reckon this might be the first Bond movie I go in to see in the cinema, it looks fantastic #Bond25…
‘My Lord, this #Bond25 trailer looks FANTASTIC! Love the old school feel and adrenaline. More with Lea Seydoux and Jeffrey Wright please. Christoph Waltz back as Blofeld, Lashana Lynch kicking that ass, Ana de Armas sexy AP and Rami Malek w/that mask. So damn in!’
Bond fansheaped praise on writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge for championing women’s empowerment after the first full trailer for the latest installment was released.
Rave reviews: The trailer won widespread praise from fans
The new promotional clip sent viewers into meltdown as lead actress Lashana Lynch.
With the theme of feminism present in the film, excited social media users lauded Fleabag’s Phoebe, 34, for bringing female characters to the forefront of the iconic franchise.
One delighted fan penned: ‘We stan powerful women in the 007 franchise #NoTimeToDie.’
Back again: The Layer Cake star added that if he were to sign up again, it would only be for the money. But Daniel did agree to star in the much-anticipated No Time To Die, for a reported fee of £18.4 million ($25million)
Another tweeted: ‘I’ll see it because I want to know what a Bond movie with Phoebe Waller-Bridges’ fingerprints all over it looks like. And because of Lashana Lynch. So yes, for the first time ever, I’m seeing a Bond movie because of the women.’
A third thanked comedian and playwright Phoebe for ‘challenging’ the traditional Bond subjects, stating: ‘The question of Bond’s relevance in the 21st century has punctuated Daniel Craig’s entire tenure, after he almost became a joke by Die Another Day.
‘Makes a lot of sense for #NoTimeToDie to challenge this again, especially with the first properly characterised female 00.’
Squealing with enthusiasm, more shared: ‘THE NOISE I JUST MADE villain rami plus phoebe waller bridge having edited the script ?????? already on its way to being the most epic bond film yet thank u.’ [sic]
‘It was a whole “Oh, my f****g God!” to me! I cannot wait! Plus, I love to see black women playing important roles without all the extreme left fuss behind it! Will watch as soon as it gets to Germany.’ [sic]
Yes: James Bond fans have heaped praise on writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge for championing women’s empowerment after the first full trailer for the latest installment was released
‘REMI MALEK IS THE VILLAIN IN THE NEW BOND MOVIE AND WE HAVE A STRONG BLACK FEMALE 00 I AM LOAING MY MIND’. [sic]
‘Right? UH-MA-ZING “Stay in your lane, or I’ll put a bullet in your knee…the one that works” I’M DEAD #NoTimeToDie’. [sic]
A fan even joked about Idris Elba’s once-rumoured role as Bond: ‘So glad that the new 007 is a black female. Idris Elba could never do this job because he is too busy being black superman.’
No Time To Die is co-written by Phoebe who was brought on board to sprinkle magic on the script for the 25th movie in the franchise based on Ian Fleming’s hit novels.
The film had previously been given the working title Shatterhand, however the title has since been changed to match Bond’s more iconic film titles.
Powerful: And with the theme of feminism present in the film, excited social media users lauded Fleabag’s Phoebe, 34, for bringing female characters to the forefront
Exciting times ahead: Fans thanked comedian and playwright Phoebe for ‘challenging’ the traditional Bond subjects
Production finally kicked off in April of this year, though it had already been delayed by several months following the departure of original director Danny Boyle.
But it has suffered a turbulent production process in recent months after Daniel suffered a nasty ankle injury while filming a separate chase sequence in Jamaica, the spiritual home of Bond creator Ian Fleming.
The actor underwent an operation followed by two weeks of rehabilitation in May, causing major delays to the long awaited production.
Meanwhile over at the UK’s Pinewood Studios three explosions went off on set after a stunt went wrong during filming.
Health and Safety officials arrived on the set of the beleaguered movie after an explosion ripped a hole in a sound stage and injured a member of the crew.
The official Twitter account for the 007 franchise confirmed the blasts, with a post saying: ‘During the filming of a controlled explosion on the set of Bond 25 today at Pinewood Studios, damage was caused to the exterior of the 007 Stage.’
‘He’s too busy’: A fan even joked about Idris Elba’s once-rumoured role as Bond
Launch! Daniel joined his No Time To Die castmembers (L-R) Lashana, Lea and Rami in Times Square, New York City on Wednesday to promote the new film
Suave: Daniel cut a dapper figure for the day as he donned a navy coat with dark trousers and a blue scarf
In demand: Rami, who plays the mysterious villain Safin in the flick, signed autographs and took sefies with legions of fans
Daniel, who once said he would rather ‘slit my own wrists’ than play Bond again, said after filming for the new film finished that he was ‘really happy’ he signed up for a final time.
But, when asked if the film would be his last as the suave secret agent, he told German website Express: ‘Yes – someone else needs to have a go.’
‘It’s been, as they always are, incredibly hard work, but it’s a massive collaboration,’ he said.
Style: Lashana looked nothing short of sensational in a black turtle-neck top, matching skirt and a beige coat
Blockbuster: Daniel’s appearance comes on the same day the trailer for No Time To Die was released
Fashion: Lea showed off her sense of style in an all-black outfit, wearing a blazer with matching trousers and a turtle-neck jumper
Story: The high-octane teaser is typically dramatic with Daniel’s Bond in a high-speed chase alongside his love Madeleine
‘One of the most moving things for me about finishing the film is that I have been working with some of the people for 30 years.’
He also suggested that working alongside colleagues was ‘what it was all about’, and so to sign up again was partly to ‘say goodbye’ to ‘those people’.
His comments starkly contrast with his response about signing up again when he was asked in 2015, shortly before the release of Spectre.
‘I’d rather break this glass and slash my wrists,’ he said during an interview with London’s Time Out magazine. ‘We’re done. All I want to do is move on.’
Newcomer: Along with Lea, Lashana is also a fresh face to the franchise
Oh dear! Rami’s chilling villain comes face to face with Bond in the thrilling trailer
Back again: Daniel, who once said he would rather ‘slit my own wrists’ than play Bond again, said after filming for the new film finished that he was ‘really happy’ he signed up for a final time
The Layer Cake star added that if he were to sign up again, it would only be for the money. But Daniel did agree to star in the much-anticipated No Time To Die, for a reported fee of £18.4 million ($25million).
As well as Casino Royale, Skyfall in 2012 and Spectre, Daniel also appeared in Quantum of Solace in 2008.
Daniel’s latest project seems him star as private detective Benoit Blanc in murder mystery Knives Out.
No Time To Die is released in UK cinemas on April 2, 2020 and in the US on April 8, 2020.