CLOSEicon close

This weekend: Ben Affleck in “The Way Back,” Mandy Moore’s first album in almost 11 years and Bond star Daniel Craig to host “Saturday Night Live.”

USA TODAY

The real “James Bond” movie may be delayed, but “Saturday Night Live” host Daniel Craig won’t let that stop fans from catching an early glimpse.

Craig, returning to host for the first time in eight years, introduced a parody sneak peek clip of “No Time to Die” during his opening monologue. 

“You also may have heard that the release of the film is being delayed due to public health concerns,” the actor said. “But there’s this scene that’s my favorite, and the producers have been kind enough to let me show it tonight, so let’s take a look.”

Craig as Bond, on a mission at a casino, entered a game of craps. And he got pretty excited about his victories. 

READ MORE:  Coronavirus pandemic: Updates from around the world

“I can’t believe I just won!” Bond celebrated. “What do I do now?… My heart is just beating so fast.”

“You sir, you — you, sir, you, you!” Keenan Thompson, playing a tourist in a fedora and a bachelor weekend sweatshirt celebrated Bond’s victory. 

More ‘SNL’: Elizabeth Warren crashes Fox News coronavirus coverage, talks ending her campaign

Bond began to order his classic drink — vodka martini, shaken, not stirred — but changed course for the occasion. “Can I get a vodka and Red Bull (in a) pint glass, please?” he asked the bartender as a crowd gathers around him. 

A woman (Chloe Fineman) whispered in Bond’s ear: She had the top-secret information he’s looking for. But Bond’s priorities had shifted. 

“Cool,” he dismissed her. “Ladies and gentlemen, I have an announcement to make: I’m buzzed.”

Later in the show, “Weekend Update” host Colin Jost mentioned that the release date for Craig’s final Bond film, “No Time to Die,” was postponed until November amid the global coronavirus outbreak.

READ MORE:  'She was the perfect nurse' -19 | News24

“Though I think they should have still released it in April, but taken out the ‘no,'” Jost joked.

The film’s producers announced Wednesday that “after careful consideration and thorough evaluation of the global theatrical marketplace” the release would be postponed from its original April release date to Nov. 12 in the U.K. and Nov. 25 in the U.S.

The move also delays the comprehensive “No Time To Die” global rollout, which would have seen the cast – including Craig, Rami Malek, Ana de Armas, Christoph Waltz and Naomie Harris – flying to multiple countries for fan events.

Also postponed is the March 31 world premiere gala at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Bond premieres have previously featured members of the Britain’s royal family meeting the cast before showing the film to a star-studded crowd of 5,000.

Contributing: Bryan Alexander

More ‘SNL’: Rachel Dratch’s ‘Debbie Downer’ ruins a wedding reception with coronavirus talk

Autoplay

Show Thumbnails

Show Captions

Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2020/03/08/saturday-night-live-daniel-craig-james-bond-coronavirus-delay/4991241002/