Daniel Craig's next post-Bond role will be at the lead in Shakespeare's Macbeth with Ruth Negga. Craig's last turn as Bond in the long-delayed No Time To Die is rolling out throughout the next month, sending the actor on a new career trajectory. Craig will next star in two more films in Rian Johnson's Knives Out franchise, once again playing investigator Benoit Blanc. He is also gearing up to star in director Todd Field's western thriller, The Creed of Violence. Ruth Negga was nominated for an Oscar for her performance in 2016's Loving and has appeared in multiple film/TV projects, including Warcraft, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and AMC's Preacher.
"William Shakespeare's Macbeth" aka "The Tragedy of Macbeth" was published in 1623 and follows a Scottish general (Macbeth), who receives a prophecy from three witches that he will become the King of Scotland, only to be driven to murder, madness, and betrayal in getting there. The play has been performed on stage and adapted for multiple forms for centuries, including a long list of film and TV adaptations. Some of the most recent include the Sam Worthington take, directed by Geoffrey Rush in 2006 and the 2015 version starring Michael Fassbender, directed by Justin Kurzel. The latest cinematic incarnation is the upcoming The Tragedy of Macbeth starring Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand, directed by Joel Coen.
The next Broadway version of Macbeth has been announced, via Deadline, and will star the now former Bond Daniel Craig as Macbeth with Ruth Negga taking on the role of Lady Macbeth. The play will be directed by Tony Award winner, Sam Gold, with additional cast members to be announced at a later date. The play is expected to begin performances on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at Broadway’s Lyceum Theatre, and will officially open on Thursday, April 28, 2022. A poster has already been released to promote the play, which can be seen below:
The play is being produced by Bond's own Barbara Broccoli who says she's "thrilled" that Craig will be supporting the return of Broadway in the role, with Negga making her Broadway debut under the direction of Sam Gold. Gold formerly directed Craig in the off-Broadway production of Shakespeare's Othello in 2016. This also marks the return of Broadway after the Covid-19 pandemic forced the venue to be closed since March 2020.
After playing Bond and working in additional film roles in-between since 2006, Craig can probably use the break from the pressure of carrying the 007 torch and dig into a play that will reunite him with more traditional acting. Macbeth is one of the most popular and sought after roles by actors, and Craig will surely deliver an amazing performance as the troubled Scottish general. Negga seems like an amazing fit for Lady Macbeth, and the duo will no doubt light up the stage with their presence in what will surely be one of the hottest tickets in town when Broadway opens the curtains to audiences once again next year. Tickets for Macbeth are expected to go on sale on October 8th.
Source: Deadline
