Daniel Craig, along with other stars of the upcoming James Bond film, No Time To Die, hopes that the Covid-delayed film can boost ailing cinemas amid the pandemic.
Craig and Rami Malek play 007 and his latest nemesis in the spy drama - which is officially the longest James Bond film ever made with a runtime of 163 minutes - and the actors have both expressed hopes that the cinema business picks up again soon.
Craig told PA: 'There's a great deal of expectation surrounding this film. I believe in cinema, it's the job I do and having this film come out right now and try and hopefully to give the industry some sort of boost.
Drawing in the punters: The cast of the upcoming James Bond film, No Time To Die, are hoping that the Covid-delayed film can boost ailing cinemas amid the pandemic
'Cinema is here to stay as far as I'm concerned and if we can help in some way, I'll be very happy.'
Oscar-winning actor Malek - who portrays villain Safin - said he will always believe in the importance of the theatrical experience, adding: 'I would be devastated if we lost this great global pastime.
'It is, for me, one of one of the great arts that we have to share with each other and with the world and if this film can reinvigorate our ability to go back to those places that we just have fallen in love with in our youth and throughout our lives, then I would feel a great privilege.
'I won't say I'd be responsible for it, but I'd love to be included in bringing that back, to be able to share with the world. We need it. I will always have faith in the theatrical experience.'
Boost: Daniel Craig plays 007 in the spy drama - which is officially the longest James Bond film ever made with a runtime of 163 minutes - and expressed hopes that the cinema business picks up again soon
The movie, which will be Craig's final outing as 007, was initially due for release in April 2020; but as concerns about the coronavirus pandemic grew, the release was pushed to November 2020 and has been moved several times since then.
When it was announced the film was being pushed back to April 2021, Cineworld made the decision to close 127 Cineworld and Picturehouse sites.
Multiplexes have started to see the return of crowds for franchise favourites such as Fast & Furious 9 and Marvel properties Black Widow and Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings, which posted the biggest three-day opening in the pandemic era in the UK with £5.8 million.
The top grossing film of the year so far in the UK is Peter Rabbit 2, which has amassed £20.2 million since its release in May, according to figures provided to the PA news agency by the BFI.
Oscar-winning actor Rami Malek - who portrays villain Safin - said he will always believe in the importance of the theatrical experience, adding: 'I would be devastated if we lost this great global pastime'
However, cinemas will be hoping it is the allure of Bond that will draw back hesitant crowds who are yet to venture back inside to sit in front of a screen.
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