In the months leading up toSpectre’s release, there had been plenty of speculation that this movie will beDaniel Craig’s last asJames Bond. Back in September,Daniel Craigsaid that he “can’t even conceive” of playing 007 again. Then in October, he called the iconic spy a “misogynist,” adding more fuel to the rumors that he wasn’t returning for any more 007 adventures. While nothing has been made official by Sony Pictures, MGM or the franchise’s production company EON Productions,Daniel Craig’s longtime friend andThe Brothers GrimsbystarMark Strongclaims in a recent interview withThe Short ListthatDaniel Craigis done with the franchise.
“Do you know what, I’d have loved to have played the villain in aBondmovie while Daniel was doing it because he’s a pal and that would have been great. But I think he’s come to the end of his Bond time and so it’s probably never going to happen, but that would have always been great. Having played so many villains, it would have been wonderful to have done the villain of villains, if you like. Because a Bond villain has a status all of his own.”
A decade beforeDaniel Craigfirst played007in 2006’sCasino Royale, he starred in the British TV series Our Friends in the North with Mark Strong. Ironically, Mark Strong himself plays a much different kind of spy inThe Brothers Grimsby, which hits theaters on March 4. When asked if he would try to talkDaniel Craiginto playing the super-spy one more time, Mark Strong had this to say.
“Well, I will try, believe me, I will do my best. But there are powers at work greater than us who make all these decisions. He has been [wonderful] and he’s loved it. But I think he feels like he’s mined it. He’s done what he wants with it. That point has come.”
Daniel Craigdebuted as Bond in 2006’sCasino Royale, followed by 2008’sQuantum of Solace, the 2012 blockbusterSkyfalland last year’sSpectre. WhileSpectrewasn’t a failure by any means, with just under $200 million domestic and $879 million worldwide, it still falls short ofSkyfall’s $304.3 million domestic take and $1.1 billion worldwidebox officehaul. What do you think aboutDaniel Craigleaving the Bond franchise?
