Daniel Craig reveals what he'll miss most about playing James Bond. Craig has starred as the fictional MI6 agent since 2006's Casino Royale, and his tenure has been praised as one of the strongest periods in the franchise's long history. His fifth and final Bond film, No Time To Die, releases in the US on October 8.
When Craig took over the role from his predecessor, Pierce Brosnan, his casting was initially met with skepticism from Bond fans, with online campaigns threatening to boycott Casino Royale. However, his debut film in the franchise was met with critical acclaim, with his grittier take on the gentleman spy earning particular praise. That film and his third outing, Skyfall, are often ranked among the Bond series' best entries.
Now, after 15 years, the long-awaited No Time To Die is Craig's Bond swansong, and the English actor tells NYT that he's going to miss the filmmaking process the most. He mentions the coordinated effort required to get a blockbuster of this size off the ground, and admits that this film's release troubles are evidence of how hard it can be. But when it goes well, Craig says, there's no sweeter reward:
I’ll miss the massive team effort that it takes. It’s nearly five years since we started this project, as frustrating and sort of anxiety-making as that can be. Sometimes it feels like it’s not going to happen, but it’s an incredibly creative process and I will miss that. I’ve got other projects I do, and they’ll reward me, but there’s nothing quite like a Bond movie.
When asked specifically what he would miss about Bond as a character, Craig's response is less wistful. "I’ve done him. I’ve given all I can," he says. "He’s as there as he’ll ever be for me. I mean, who knows? I don’t have a clear answer to that." No Time To Die was made consciously with the understanding that it was Craig's last time playing the character, and it seems like the closure it provides is enough for him to move on from the part.
While Bond fans are familiar with the unique joys that come with watching a movie of that size and scope, Craig reminds his viewers that the difference is also felt during the creative process. No Time To Die looks to be particularly massive, with a budget that rivals Spectre's as the franchise's biggest and a runtime of 163 minutes, the longest ever for a Bond film. That kind of size doesn't always translate into success, but early reviews of No Time To Die have been largely positive, ensuring that Craig closes his Bond era with a bang.
Source: NYT
