Daniel Craig's name is synonymous with James Bond and the 007 franchise. He took the role in 2006 with Casino Royale, a film helmed by Martin Campbell that completely reinvented the long-running movies, giving them a new life. Craig took Bond in a new direction, one with a no-nonsense approach, which also benefited the villains featured in the franchise. The 54-year-old actor recently appeared in his final installment in the Bond films with No Time to Die in 2021. The movie saw Bond as semi-retired before he was, of course, brought back into the espionage life opposite Rami Malek's villain.
Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli recently received the Pioneer of the Year Award for their work as producers on the Bond films. During the ceremony, Daniel Craig spoke about his time with the series, saying, "I wouldn't change a second of it.' Deadline caught his full quote, which can be found below.
"On a personal note. I am very so deeply proud of the work we've done together. I am humbled and amazed by our achievements, the records we've broken, and the lives that we've affected. And although, on occasion, sometimes I've complained, grumbled — even threatened to slash my wrists — I wouldn't change a second of it."
This is in response to comments made in 2015 by Craig before the release of Spectre. During his press interviews, the actor said he would "rather slash my wrists" than reprise his role for the fifth time. Of course, Craig has since stated he regretted the comment and returned for a fifth time with his final movie in 2021.
Who is the Next James Bond?
The role of James Bond has been passed down from generation to generation, allowing audiences to see several portrayals of the iconic character. Pierce Bronson, Sean Connery, Roger Moore, and Timothy Dalton are just a few names that came before Daniel Craig's debut in 2006.
As Craig has wrapped up his time with the franchise, fans are looking toward the next iteration of the character. Idris Elba was one name that continued to arise when audiences began to fan-cast the next Bond. However, producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson recently shared just how difficult it is to find an actor willing to play one character for multiple movies over a ten-year period. Elba is 50 years old, and the next film is still a few years away from even beginning pre-production, meaning he would likely be playing the character till he was nearly 65.
Richard Madden, Daniel Kaluuya, Tom Hardy, and Henry Cavill are a few names that may be a more realistic fit for the role. However, don't expect to hear any concrete news for the next few years, at the very least. Broccoli and Wilson have confirmed they are searching for the next actor for the role, but they are still in the "early days." Still, fans can ultimately look forward to what is sure to be an excellent James Bond when the franchise is rebooted.